Road in the focus of reactions in Cappadocia finally opened

The road works in Cappadocia which is one of the most popular and historical centers of Turkey, were in the focus of discussions. The road, which attracted criticism because it allegedly damaged historical structures, was completed.

After the recommendation decisions of UNESCO, 2 separate decisions were taken by the Nevsehir Regional Board for the Protection of Cultural and Natural Assets between 2011 and 2019. Accordingly, it was decided to close the road past the Göreme Open Air Museum and Tokali Church, which was included in the ‘World Cultural and Natural Heritage List’ in 1985, on the grounds that it damaged the region and caused the frescoes in the churches to spill.

The road passing through the historical region could not be closed because it is the only route connecting the town of Göreme and Ortahisar. the Cappadocia Area Directorate of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, which was established in 2019 for the protection, promotion, beautification of the region and the demolition of illegal structures, started to look for an alternative way to protect 2 historical structures. In this context, it was determined that there was a cadastral road connecting Göreme and Ortahisar. It was decided to use this road as an alternative. A project was made by the Special Provincial Administration to increase the road from 5 and 7 meters wide to 10 meters. The project was approved by the Cappadocia Area Commission in October last year. The distance of the new road was determined as 2.2 kilometers. Following the expropriation works in the region, road construction was started by the Special Provincial Administration. The alternative road works, which are 32 meters from the Hidden Church and 20 meters from the Fairy Chimneys, have been completed. The road, which caused controversy, was opened to service with a ceremony held.