A House Without Windows

As a rule, religions are a bit like spoiled only children: they don't generally play well with others.  Despite the shared tenet of "brotherhood", even factions of the same religion act like their brethern are sworn enemies.  In the Byzantine period (i.e., Roman) the early Christians went through quite a bit of ostracism.  Some no doubt converted to save their skins, but others hid.  And where better to hide than underground?

That of course required digging. A lot of digging. Probably a lifetime of digging which rather defeats the purpose.  But luckily some stumbled upon Cappadocia in central Anatolia. The sandstone was extremely soft and easy to carve out, and carve out they did.

Neighbours must have been jealous of the four storey domicile built next door.  There was a lot to consider construcing such a place.  For example, where do you put the animals?  They are not cut out for climbing through narrow tunnels or staircases.  So, put them on teh top storey,so they can get in and out easily, and don't smell up the entire place.

Come to think of it, there probably weren't any neighbours because this is not so much as house as a town, capable of holding up to 20,000 people.  The rooms and rooms underground were fascinating and I tried to figure out whether that carved out space was for a sleeping body or a large earthenware urn. There were small niches that must have held candles.  And there were other small spaces on the ground, which I thought might be convenient for holding snacks.  At that point my imagination went a little wild and I wondered where you'd put the big screen TV and the dance floor.

I doubt if the early Christains were given navigation help from a red arrow

students glum at the prospect of living without wifi

cleverly designed for something

One of the remarkable things was the deep deep vent that allowed fresh air to exchange throughout the place.  Another cunning innovation was a huge carved round of stone, and a similar sized and shaped opening at the entrance to each floor. This was so that should they need to, the occupants could roll each wheel into place, thus deterring anyone else from getting in.  I have no idea how they would be able to roll the wheels back out of place, but then that is really not my problem.

moving through this narrow passageway
I am glad I didn't have that second piece of baclava



Cappadocia as it is today - with caves still lived in



a roof and a coulpe of sattelite dishes -
that's all you need

they even carved vaults in this early church!