Top 10 Fascinating Facts about Pigeon Valley

Pigeon Valley, Cappadocia, Turkey. Photo by Taluerzeki . Wikimedia Commons.

Top 10 Fascinating Facts about Pigeon Valley

Pigeon Valley, otherwise known as the Guvercinlik Valley, is one of the top popular tourist attractions in the Cappadocia region, Turkey.

The valley has interesting features, especially the pigeon houses carved out on the surface. Cappadocia is known for its magnificent landscape features.

The hills, valleys, caves, and ancient churches are just a few of those. Pigeon Valley is a 6 km stretch from the main tourist towns of Goreme and Uchisar.

It is a top hiking trail and visitors can take in the splendid views of the valley from a hot air balloon. Photographers are in for a treat!

Here are the top 10 fascinating facts about Pigeon Valley.

1. Pigeon Valley is named after its numerous dovecotes

Pigeon houses carved out on the rock surface from a distance, Pigeon Valley. Photo by Dosseman. Wikimedia Commons.

The valley has many pigeon houses, hence the name Pigeon Valley. In the Turkish language, it is known as Guvercinlik.

The dove cotes are carved out on the surface. During the Byzantine period, its occupants’ domesticated pigeons, which were many in the region.

The pigeons were used as food for their meat, and their droppings as fertilizers.

It is incredible to imagine how many pigeons were kept in the valley since the pigeon house structures are quite many.

Although the valley no longer has as many pigeons anymore, if any, its name represents the remaining evidence of their existence.

2. It was once occupied by people

This was during the Byzantine period. It was part of the continuation of the Roman Empire during the Middle Ages when its capital was Constantinople.

The valley was a residential area for some of the people living in the Cappadocia region. They dug out parts of the rock surface to domesticate pigeons in the area.

They then used them as food. Although the pigeon houses can be seen all over the Cappadocia region, a majority are found in the valley, hence its name.

3. Pigeon Valley has many ancient features

Besides the pigeon houses carved out on the rock surface, Pigeon Valley has several other ancient features, making the landscape even more interesting. 

Find small caves as you walk through the valley, abandoned rock dwellings with fairy chimneys, earth pillars, and ancient paintings of pigeons on the rocks.

There are also remains of church structures, proving the once vibrant life in the valley centuries ago.

A walk through the valley offers you an opportunity to take in the ancient life remains, while stretching your muscles and keeping fit.

Bringing a camera along is highly recommended!

4. It is one of the most breathtaking hiking trails in the region

A section of a dirt road through the beautiful Pigeon Valley. Photo by Tevfik Teker. Wikimedia Commons.

Seated between two towns, Pigeon Valley makes it convenient for a full hike. It is approximately 6 kilometers in length, hence relatively manageable to walk through.

There are day tours in Cappadocia and visitors can join them if they prefer an arranged group hike.

The valley offers spectacular views. The walk takes part along dirt paths through dovecotes, rock pillars, and fairy chimneys.

At some point, you can see the beautiful, tall Uchisar Castle standing out from a distance. Halfway through, there is a small Turkish café for refreshments and light local meals.

Since most of the valleys in Cappadocia feature rocky dirt paths, it is advisable to wear comfortable hiking shoes.

The area is pretty sunny too, so a bottle of water, backpack, and perhaps sunscreen would come in handy.

5. It connects two tourist towns

Göreme Open Air Museum. Cappadocia, Turkey. Photo by Jose Huwaidi. Wikimedia Commons.

These are Uchisar and Gerome. The valley sits between these two tourist towns, making it an inescapable site to visit whenever you’re around. It is accessible from either town.

The towns have a lot to offer as well, including castles, a museum, and a splendid hotel experience.

The Goreme Open Air Museum is one of Turkey’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It features old building remains.

The Uchisar castle is a worthy site to visit in Cappadocia as well. Uchisar town is however, more frequently visited as compared to Gerome.

6. Uchisar Castle is its highest viewpoint

Uchisar Castle, Cappadocia. Photo by Morphosis. Wikimedia Commons.

Uchisar Castle is the highest point in Cappadocia. It, therefore, offers one of the most magnificent views of the Pigeon Valley and the area around in general.

The Castle was used as a defensive stronghold in the 15^th and 16^th centuries. It is quite a scenic landmark in the region and in 1985, it was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

7. There are organized daily tours to Pigeon Valley

There are two main group tours, the Blue Tour and the Green Tour Cappadocia. These offer a wide package of sites to visit, Pigeon Valley being one of them.

The Blue Tour includes highlights such as the Pigeon Valley, the underground city, Cavusin Cave Village, hikes along the Red and Rose Valleys, and the Greek houses of Uchisar. Bookings can be made on their websites.

The Green Tour is perhaps the most active day tour and includes hiking through the valleys. It is fittingly named as it explores the lush areas in Cappadocia.

You also get to see the Kaymakli Underground City, Ihlara Canyon, and the Selime Monastery. The tour ends at Pigeon Valley’s panoramic viewpoint.

Visitors can opt for privately organized tours as well, with a tour guide to take you through Cappadocia.

8. The main entrance is at Uchisar town

Pigeon Valley is accessible from either Goreme or Uchisar. However, the main entrance at Uchisar is mostly preferred.

It is pretty downhill from there so hiking is made easier. There are also several souvenir shops and a small café for refreshments.

The entrance has a large parking lot, where private cars or tour vans are left behind as visitors take the hike.

9. There are numerous panoramic views to choose from

A viewpoint from Uchisar Castle. Photo by Janos Korom. Wikimedia Commons.

If you’re using the main entrance in Uchisar, stand at the very edge of the parking lot to see a great wide view of the Pigeon Valley. Uchisar Castle has a great view, being the highest viewing point in the region.

Views from the hot air balloons hovering above the valley are simply breathtaking, especially at sunrise or sunset.

Most hotels in Uchisar and Goreme are also strategically stationed, offering fantastic views of the valley below.

Museum Hotel in Uchisar, for instance, has a terrace with panoramic views of the region. Savor sunrise views in the morning.

10. The two towns offer a great accomodation experience

Hotels at Goreme and Uchisar offer some of the best experiences in Cappadocia.

The Koza Cave Hotel at Goreme has a large terrace with great views over the town and Pigeon Valley.

One can watch the hot air balloons fly in the morning. It also offers traditional Turkish rugs, cozy living rooms with fireplaces, and private terraces.

Rox Cappadocia is a hotel in Uchisar. It is right next to Uchisar Castle and offers beautiful views of the valley from the terraces.