Evil Eye Tree

Several trees near Uçhisar, on the road through Cappadocia, are draped from branch to branch with hundreds of blue Nazar Boncuk — the glass eye amulets believed in Turkish folk tradition to ward off the evil eye. The practice of hanging these charms on trees, doorways, and cradles blends Islamic, Byzantine, and pre-Islamic protective customs that have been woven into Anatolian daily life for centuries. The site is well set up for visitors: a large parking lot, souvenir stalls, and a pay toilet are on hand. There are actually four such trees along the same stretch of road, and the ones further from the main pull-in tend to feel less crowded. The Cappadocian landscape backdrop — volcanic cones and eroded valleys — adds genuine scenic value to what is otherwise a brief roadside stop.