It is estimated that some 30 million years ago the eruptions of three volcanoes; Hasan, Erciyes and Melendiz Daglari covered the area in ash and mud which helped form the regions unique soft stone called “Tuff”. It is this which has been eroded by wind and water ever since to form the curious rock formations (commonly called “fairy chimneys”) for which the Cappadocia area is so famous. Cappadocia has provided a significant importance through the ages because of the trading routes passing through it; vital in supplying all manner of goods to different towns and cities across the continent and beyond. The earliest known settlers in Cappadocia were the Hatti followed by the Hittites around 2000 BC. The Hittites had a rich, varied and advanced culture. Different races came after the fall of the Hittite Empire around 1200 BC and the Persians ruled from the middle of the 6th Century BC until Alexander the Great arrived in 333 BC. It later became a Roman Provence in the first century AD. It was St Paul, who after receiving a vision of Christ, travelled extensively in the area, preaching and converting many people to Christianity. It was these early Christians that started carving out houses and churches from the soft rock as places to live, worship and shelter.