All guestrooms at Phocas Cave Suites – Special Class boast comforts such as 24-hour room service and premium bedding, as well as amenities like free WiFi and safes. Extra conveniences in all rooms include:Bathrooms with showers and free toiletries,LCD TVs with cable channels, Coffee/tea makers, daily housekeeping and phones
All guestrooms at Phocas Cave Suites – Special Class boast comforts such as 24-hour room service and premium bedding, as well as amenities like free WiFi and safes. Extra conveniences in all rooms include:Bathrooms with showers and free toiletries,LCD TVs with cable channels, Coffee/tea makers, daily housekeeping and phones
All guestrooms at Phocas Cave Suites – Special Class boast comforts such as 24-hour room service and premium bedding, as well as amenities like free WiFi and safes. Extra conveniences in all rooms include:Bathrooms with showers and free toiletries,LCD TVs with cable channels, Coffee/tea makers, daily housekeeping and phones
All guestrooms at Phocas Cave Suites – Special Class boast comforts such as 24-hour room service and premium bedding, as well as amenities like free WiFi and safes. Extra conveniences in all rooms include:Bathrooms with showers and free toiletries,LCD TVs with cable channels, Coffee/tea makers, daily housekeeping and phones
All guestrooms at Phocas Cave Suites – Special Class boast comforts such as 24-hour room service and premium bedding, as well as amenities like free WiFi and safes. Extra conveniences in all rooms include:Bathrooms with showers and free toiletries,LCD TVs with cable channels, Coffee/tea makers, daily housekeeping and phones
All guestrooms at Phocas Cave Suites – Special Class boast comforts such as 24-hour room service and premium bedding, as well as amenities like free WiFi and safes. Extra conveniences in all rooms include:Bathrooms with showers and free toiletries,LCD TVs with cable channels, Coffee/tea makers, daily housekeeping and phones
All guestrooms at Phocas Cave Suites – Special Class boast comforts such as 24-hour room service and premium bedding, as well as amenities like free WiFi and safes. Extra conveniences in all rooms include:Bathrooms with showers and free toiletries,LCD TVs with cable channels, Coffee/tea makers, daily housekeeping and phones
All guestrooms at Phocas Cave Suites – Special Class boast comforts such as 24-hour room service and premium bedding, as well as amenities like free WiFi and safes. Extra conveniences in all rooms include:Bathrooms with showers and free toiletries,LCD TVs with cable channels, Coffee/tea makers, daily housekeeping and phones
All guestrooms at Phocas Cave Suites – Special Class boast comforts such as 24-hour room service and premium bedding, as well as amenities like free WiFi and safes. Extra conveniences in all rooms include:Bathrooms with showers and free toiletries,LCD TVs with cable channels, Coffee/tea makers, daily housekeeping and phones
All guestrooms at Phocas Cave Suites – Special Class boast comforts such as 24-hour room service and premium bedding, as well as amenities like free WiFi and safes. Extra conveniences in all rooms include:Bathrooms with showers and free toiletries,LCD TVs with cable channels, Coffee/tea makers, daily housekeeping and phones
All guestrooms at Phocas Cave Suites – Special Class boast comforts such as 24-hour room service and premium bedding, as well as amenities like free WiFi and safes. Extra conveniences in all rooms include:Bathrooms with showers and free toiletries,LCD TVs with cable channels, Coffee/tea makers, daily housekeeping and phones
All guestrooms at Phocas Cave Suites – Special Class boast comforts such as 24-hour room service and premium bedding, as well as amenities like free WiFi and safes. Extra conveniences in all rooms include:Bathrooms with showers and free toiletries,LCD TVs with cable channels, Coffee/tea makers, daily housekeeping and phones
Nicephorus II Phocas (c.912 – 969), also known as Nikephoros II Phokas, was Emperor of the Byzantine Empire from 963 to 969. During his six years of reign, he contributed to the resurgence of the Empire thanks to his successful military campaigns.
Early Years and Ascension to the Throne
Nicephorus Phokas was born around 912. His father, Bardas Phokas, belonged to the Phokas family, which had produced several distinguished generals. From his maternal side, he belonged to the Maleinoi, a powerful Anatolian Greek family. Nicephorus joined the army at a young age and became commander under Emperor Constantine VII. From 957 onwards he achieved several victories in Syria and was placed in charge of the eastern field army by Emperor Romanos II. In 961, he led an expedition to Crete and took the island from the Muslims. Moreover, he attacked the cities of Cilicia and Aleppo, which earned him the name “The Pale Death of the Saracens”.
On March 15, 963, Emperor Romanos II passed away suddenly. As his two sons Basil II and Constantine VIII were not able to rule due to their young age, her wife Theophano was named regent. However, she was not allowed to rule alone, so Romanos’ chief council, Joseph Bringas, was put in charge of taking decisions on matters of importance. Bringas also tried to remove part of Nicephorus’ authority, as he was afraid that he would claim the throne. His suspicions became true since a few months later Nicephorus was encouraged by his nephew John Tzimiskes to negotiate with Theophano and claim the throne. On July 963, Nicephorus Phokas marched to the capital leading the eastern forces and overthrew Bringas. On August 16, he was crowned emperor and married Theophano.
His reign
During his six years of reign, the Emperor carried out several military campaigns. Between 964-966, he conquered Cilicia and occupied Mesopotamia and Syria, which he secured by a peace treaty in 969. On the northern frontier of the Empire, he allied himself with Prince Sviatoslav I of Kyiv and declared war on Bulgaria in 967, to which the Byzantines were paying tribute. However, Nicephorus ended up betraying his ally and forming a new alliance with Bulgaria.
Still, the Emperor suffered several defeats in the military campaigns that took place in the Western. In 965, after sending an expedition to Sicily to fight the Fatimid caliphs, he saw the island completely turn to the Muslims. Two years later, he was defeated by Otto I and failed to make any serious gains in Italy.
Nicephorus’ aim of maintaining the army took a toll on the economy of the Empire, and the Emperor was forced to take unpopular economic measures. In this sense, he reduced the immunities of the clergy and forbade the foundation of monasteries. Moreover, the increase in taxes was met with heavy criticism and gave rise to riots.
Death and Legacy
In 965, Nicephorus was assassinated during his sleep by his wife, who had plotted with her lover and the Emperor’s nephew Tzismiskes. Right after his death, Tzismiskes claimed the throne.
Nicephorus is well-known for his numerous military victories, which led to the resurgence of the Byzantine Empire. He was a brilliant strategist and warrior and the author of a treatise on military tactics, among which the most well-known are the Praecepta Militaria and De velitatione.
Cappadocia is one of the most fascinating geological and historical areas in the world. Its fertile land and its peculiar rock formations have provided ample food and shelter for its inhabitants for thousands of years. Here people found land perfect for growing fruits and vegetables, cave dwellings to protect them from the elements, and a bewildering landscape that opened their souls to religious enlightenment.
Millions of years ago a series of volcanic eruptions spewed ash throughout the region, later turning into a soft rock called tufa. Thousands of years of exposure to wind and rain produced the strange, cone-shaped rock formations now called fairy chimneys. As people began inhabiting the region, they found the soft rock easy to carve, shaping dwellings for themselves inside the fairy chimneys.
They found that these homes provided perfect insulation; the caves were cool during the hot summers and preserved warmth during the cold, snowy winters. Placing the entrances to their cave homes high above ground and out of sight, they also provided perfect camouflage to protect them from their enemies.
In the heart of it all is the village of Çavuşin, the prime location from which to explore all the mysteries of Cappadocia. Çavuşin is a place where living history blends with the modern world. You will notice that every modern convenience is provided to visitors, yet you still have a sense of having stepped into another place and time. The inhabitants of Çavuşin still live in harmony with their surroundings, much as their ancestors have for centuries. Here you will find Turkish hospitality in abundance. People are curious about their visitors and are always ready to sit and chat over a cup of tea, often extending invitations to their cave homes for a first-hand look. This blending of hospitality, history, and spectacular scenery allows a unique perspective on the world.
Whether you are an artist, historian, or outdoor enthusiast, Çavuşin holds something special for everyone.
ÇAVUŞİN
Çavuşin is a village about 4 kilometres from Göreme. The old village is largely deserted because the area has been plagued by rock falls. For this reason it is best to take a guide if you want to visit Çavuşin and to watch your step. At Çavuşin you can visit the Church of John the Baptist, dating probably from the 5th century with paintings from the 6th, 7th and 8th centuries.
Quite nearby, another church contains frescos commemorating the passage of Nicephoras Phocas (a Byzantine emperor) through Cappadocia from 964 to 965 during his military campaign against Cilicia. Nicephoras may have visited the Church of John the Baptist, which was an important centre for pilgrimage at that time.