Demolition of 15 more structures in Cappadocia starts

NEVŞEHİR

Authorities on Feb. 16 began demolishing illegal structures in the famous Cappadocia region in the Central Anatolian province of Nevşehir.

The move came after Nevşehir Governor İlhami Aktaş said the demolition of 15 structures that “were already built or were being built” adjacent to the world-famous “fair chimneys” would start on Feb. 16.

The demolition works started with a restaurant located in the Göreme district.

In total, 11 structures in Görme district, two structures in Ürgüp district, and one structure each in Uçhisar and Avanos districts will be demolished.

A commission has been recently assigned by Turkish Culture and Tourism Ministry to explore the Cappadocia area and to detect illegal constructions. The move came after a public uproar at a hotel construction at the area. The ministry then announced that the construction of the hotel was stopped and the next day on Feb. 14 the demolition works kicked off.

Cappadocia, famous for its underground cities, canyons, and houses carved into rock and volcanic cones called “fairy chimneys,” attracted more than two million tourists in 2018.

The area was also a religious center in the early periods of Christianity serving for shelter and prayer for Christians in the Roman era.