The restoration efforts in Cappadocia, a cornerstone of tourism in Türkiye, have begun on four iconic fairy chimneys, aiming to safeguard these natural wonders for the next 5,000 years.
Under the supervision of the Cappadocia Field Directorate within the UNESCO World Heritage Site in Nevşehir, conservation works are underway to address the pressing need for preservation.
Initial efforts focus on four fairy chimneys identified as requiring immediate attention, with an expert committee tasked to determine further measures for an additional nine chimneys in subsequent stages.
Birol İnceciköz, head of the Cappadocia Field Directorate, emphasized the project’s comprehensive design, employing scientific methods to protect these formations, which hold both cultural significance and potential risks to life and property.
“We will implement interventions based on scientific methods to preserve this unique and vital resource for future generations, prolonging their lifespan and mitigating potential risks,” he stated.
The restoration process involves meticulous documentation, identifying new rock formations, and addressing structural issues like separations within the chimneys. İnceciköz stressed the need for scientific precision to ensure longevity, expressing confidence that these efforts will extend the chimneys’ lifespan for millennia, despite challenges posed by evolving data and the labor-intensive nature of restoration.
“By adapting projects to new data, we strive to ensure the longevity of fairy chimneys, one of the world’s most intriguing land formations,” he explained.
Detailing the process, İnceciköz noted, “After documentation studies, new rock spaces emerged. We identified areas within the fairy chimneys that had become closed with rubble over time.”
“With this new data, we surveyed the chimneys and devised a new restoration project accordingly. We addressed significant separations within the chimneys and determined appropriate intervention methods. These are delicate matters.”
Upon completion, both locals and tourists can explore the rejuvenated chimneys in a safer environment, İnceciköz assured, reaffirming the directorate’s commitment to preserving and passing on the region’s cultural and natural heritage to future generations.
