Devrent Valley / Dervent Valley (Imaginary Valley, Pink Valley)

Abstract

Cappadocia is a historical region in Central Anatolia, largely in Nevsehir Province. The name Cappadocia was traditionally used in Christian sources throughout history and is still widely used as an international tourism concept to define a region of exceptional natural and geological wonders, characterized especially by the unique formation of fairy chimneys, as well as a unique historical and cultural heritage, in particular the highly decorated rock-hewn Byzantine churches, the multi-leveled underground ancient towns and the surreal, lunar landscape. Devrent Valley, known also as the Imaginary Valley or the Pink Valley, was never inhabited. It is famous for its moonscape. Devrent Valley's (spelled sometimes as Dervent Valley) lunar landscape reveals unique fairy chimney rock formations, mostly animal-shaped rocks, as if a sculptured zoo was carved here by nature. Some of the most prominent animal-shaped rocks are camels, snakes, seals and dolphins. There is even a rock pillar which resembles Virgin Mary holding Jesus Christ.