Cappadocia Turkey: Sights & Places of Interest

A monastery life has been lived in Göreme from 4th century AD until 13th century. There are churches, chapels, dining halls and seating places in almost all rock blocks.

Göreme Open Air Museum of today is the place where this education system is started. Soğanlı, Ihlara, Açıksaray are locations where the same education system is seen later.

The churches are painted in two types of techniques. The first is the painting made by directly smoothing the surface of the rock, and the second is the painting made on rock with secco (tempera) and fresco techniques. The themes in the church are taken from the Bible and the life of Christ.

In Göreme Open - Air Museum, Girls and Boys Monastery, St. Basil Church, Elmalı Church, St. Barbara Church, Yılanlı Church, Karanlık Church, Çarıklı Church and Tokalı Church exist.

Monastery of Priestesses and Priests
The rock mass consisting of 6 - 7 floors located at the left of the museum entrance is known as "Monastery of Priestesses". This monastery's dining hall, kitchen, a few rooms on the first floor; destroyed chapel on the second floor can be visited. Its church on the 3rd floor (that is reached through a tunnel) has a cross dome, four columns and three absissa. The templon in the main apsis is not met in other churches in Göreme. There are red ornaments beside the Christ fresco made directly on rock. "bolt stones" are used for closing the tunnels in case of a danger as in the case for the underground cities. In the Monestary of Priests on the right, the passages between the floors are closed because of erosion, therefore only a few rooms in the entrance floor can be seen.

St. Basil Chapel
It is at the entrance of Göreme Open - Air Museum. There are grave hollows in the nartext that is separated with columns. The nef has a longitudinal cradle vault, a rectangular plan and three absissa. There are three absissa on the left, long face of the rectangular nef, one of which is large and the other two are small. The church is dated to 11th century.

Scenes: On the main absis, the portrait of Christ, on the front face Mary and child Christ, on the northern wall St. Theodore on horse, on the southern wall St. George fighting with the dragon on horse, and St. Demetrius and 2 saints are painted.

Elmalı Church
It has nine domes, four columns, a closed Greek cross plan and three absissa. Its main entrance is from southern direction, and entrance can be made through a tunnel opened from the northern side.

The first ornaments of Elmalı Church are, as in the case of St. Basil and St. Barbara Churches, cross and geometric motifs painted directly on the wall with red paint. The church is dated to the mid of 11th century and beginning of 12th century.

Scenes: Deesis, birth, worship of three astrologers, baptism, resurrection of Lazarus, conversion, entrance to Jerusalem, last dinner, betrayal, Christ on Golgota way, Christ on cross, burying of Christ, Christ's going down to hell, women beside the empty grave, Christ going to the sky and saints. Furthermore, hospitality of Prophet Abraham and burning three Jew Young men in oven taken from the Torah are pictured.

St. Barbara Chapel
It is behind the rock block in which Elmalı Kilise is located. It is cross planned, has two columns. The western, northern and southern cross arms are cradle vaulted, its center is domed, eastern cross arm and the two corners in the east are domed. It has one main, two supplementary absissa.

The motifs are directly drawn on rock with red paint. There are rich geometric motifs, mythological animals and military symbols on the walls and the dome. Furthermore, there are motifs on the wall that seem as stone. The church is dated to the second half of the 11th century.

Scenes: On the main absis, Chris pantocrator; on northern cross arm St. George fighting with the dragon on horse and St Theodore; on the western cross arm St. Barbara are pictured.

Yılanlı (St. Onuphrius) Church
Its entrance is from the north. The main place has a longitudinal rectangular plan, is cradle vaulted and the additional place in the south has a flat ceiling. Its absis is carved in the left long wall and the church is left before completion.

On both sides of the church vault, the pictures of respected saints of Cappadocia. The church is dated to the 11th century.

Scenes: Just across the entrance, Christ holding Bible in his left hand and the banis of the church, in the east of the vault, St. Onesimus, St. George fighting with the dragon and St. Theodore, Helena holding the real cross and her son Konstantin; in the west of the vault, naked St. Onuphrius having long hair with a palm tree in front of him, beside him St. Thomas in blessing position and St Basil with a book in his hand are pictured.

In the 1st century AD, people called as "Hermit", who devoted themselves to religion and withdrew to solitude, lived in Egypt deserts. The last hermit St. Paphnutius went to Egypt deserts in order to learn the life and life style of hermist in 4th century AD and met St. Onuphrius who gave his name to the church. St. Paphnutius helped while St. Onuphrius was dying. Because, he was the best example of virtue and overcoming fleshy cravings. In the pictures, St. Onuphrius is naked, has long hair and a huge body and stands in front of a palm tree.

Pantry / Kitchen / Dining Hall
The three buildings are side by side and connected with each other. In the first place that is used as pantry, there are holes for storing the provisions. In the kitchen, there is an oven named "tandır" that is still used in the villages in the region. At the last section, the dining hall exists. There is a stone bench and table where 40 - 50 persons can eat at the left side of the entrance. There is a grape must house for squashing grapes on the right of the table.

Karanlık Church
Cradle vaulted rectangular nartex of the church is reached via a curved ladder in the north. In the south of the nartex, there is a grave. The church is in cross plan, the arms of the cross are cross vaulted, its center is domed, has four columns and three absissa.

The reason of its being named as Karanlık (Dark) Church is its taking a very small amount of light from a small window in the nartex part. For this reason, the colors in the frescos are very lively.

The church and the nartex have rich ornaments including the Bible and Christ syclus. Furthermore, as in Elmalı and Çarıklı Churches, scenes taken from the Torah are pictured. The church is dated to the end of 11th century and the beginning of the 12th century.

Scenes: Deesis, joyful tiding, journey to Beytüllahim, birth, worship of three astrologers, bastism, resurrection of Lazarus, conversion, entrance to jerusalem, last dinner, betrayal, Christ on cross, Christ's going down to hell, women in front of the empty grave, blessing and charging of the disciples, rising of Christ to sky, hospitality of Prophet Abraham, burning three Jew young men and saint pictures.

St. Catherine Chapel
In St. Catherine Chapel that is between Karanlık Church and Çarıklı Church, both nartex and naos are free cross planned and central domed; the cross arms are cradle vaulted and absissa temploned. There are nine graves on the nartex floor and two niche graves on the walls.

There are figures only in naos part of the chapel. Pandantives are covered with relief geometric ornaments.

St. Catherine Chapel, which is had made by the donor named Anna, is dated to the 11th century.

Scenes: Deesis in temploned absis, below this church fathers in medallions, (Gregory, Basil, Johm Chrysostom), on southern wall of northern cross arm St George on horse; across it St. Theodore, St Catherine and other saint pictures.

Çarıklı Church
It has two columns (other columns are in the form of parts at wall corners), is cross vaulted, has three absissa and four domes. In the scenes, syclus representing the life of Christ, the Torah scene showing the hospitality of Prophet Abraham, saint and bani representations are well - protected. It is similar to Elmalı and Karanlık Churches, however the scenes of crucification of Christ and taking Christ from the cross are the different features of the church. The figures are generally big and long.

It is thought that the church is named as "Çarıklı Church" because of the footprints below the scene of Christ's rising to sky. The church is dated to the end of 12th century and the beginning of 13th century.

At the middle of the main dome, Pantokrator Christ, angel busts in medallions are located. Furthermore, the representation of Deesis on the main absis, Mary and child Christ on the northern absis and Angel Micheal on the southern absis are pictured.

Scene: Birth, worship of three astrologers, baptism, resurrection of Lazarus, conversion, entrance to Jerusalem, betrayal, women in front of empty grave, Christ's rising to sky and saint representations.

Tokalı Church
It is the most ancient rock church of the region and consists of 4 places: Old Church with Single Nef, New Church, The Church below the Old Church, Side Chapel in the north of the New Church.

The Old Church dated to the beginning of the 10th century is in the form of the entrance place of the New Church today, however originally it is a single - nef building with cradle vault. Its absis has completely been destroyed during the addition of the New Church in its east. The scenes are located on the vault surface and to the upper part of the walls. The syclus including the life of Christ is divided into panels in the vault and the scenes start on the right wing and follows on the right wing.

Scenes: In the middle of the vault saint representations, in the right wing on the upper panel joyful tidings, visit, evidence of virginity, journey to Beytüllahim, birth, on the upper panel in the left wing worship of three astrologers, slaughter of innocent children, escape to Egypt, introduction of Christ to the temple, murder of Zekeriya, on the mid panel in the right wing follow of Elizabeth, charging of Baptist Yahya, soothsaying of Baptist Yahya, meeting of Christ with Baptist Yahya, baptism, Kana wedding; on the mid panel in the left wing, the wine miracle, reproduction of the bread and the fish, charging of the disciples, recovery of the blind man, resurrection of Lazarus; on the lower panel in the right wing, entrance to Jerusalem, the last dinner, betrayal, Christ in front of Platus, on the lower panel in the right wing, Christ on Golgota way, Christ on cross, taking Christ from cross, burying Christ, women in front of the empty grave, Christ's going down to hell, Christ's rising to sky. Under this panel, saint representations; over the entrance, the conversion scene.

Yeni Tokalı is longitudinally planned and has simple cradle vault. There are four columns connected to each other in the eastern wall, a corridor risen behind the columns, the main absis and two supplementary absissa after the corridor. In the cradle vaulted nef, the syclus of Christ is represented in redder and bluer colors in accordance with the chronological order. Dark blue color is the most important feature distinguishing Tokalı Church from other churches.

In the longitudinal nef, the life of St. Basil, representations of various saints and mostly scenes of the miracles of Christ. The Church is dated to the end of the 10th century and the beginning of the 11th century.

Scenes: On the northern wing of the vault, joyful tiding, visit, evidence of virginity, birth and worship of three astrologers, on the northern wall of the vault, the first dream of Yousef, journey to Beytüllahim, the representation of eight saints in niches below it, and at the lowest part, call to Baptist Yahya, his being charged, charging of the disciples, Kana wedding; on the western wing escape to Egypt, trial of Christ, Christ in temple when he was 12, at the center of the vault, Christ's rising to the sky and charging of the disciples in the way of God; on the southern wing of the vault, the first diacons, undefinable angels, below this, saint representation in niches, and at the lowest part recovery of the son of the rich man, recovery of the daughter of Jairus, resurrection of Lazarus, entrance to Jerusalem and the last dinner; on the western wing washing of feet; on the main absis, Christ on cross, taking Christ from the cross, women in front of empty grave, Christ's going down to hell; on the front side of the main absis, the first diacons, Christ and the woman from Samarra, Mary and child Christ in niche; on the northern absis the appearance of the Prophets and angels.

Paşabağları and Zelve Ruin Places
The earth pillars that are 1 km far away can be best seen from Zelve ruin place. In addition, the chapel constructed in the name of St. Simeon and many rock places exist. The nationalization of this area and performance of layout arrangement are planned.

Zelve ruin place, that is after Paşabağları, 2 km in from Göreme - Avanos highway and that consists of 3 valleys is the location where the earth pillars are densest. It has been one of the important residence and religion centers of the Christians. On the other hand, the first religious seminars were given to the priests in this region. Balıklı, Üzümlü and Geyikli Churches are the most important churches of the valley and they belong to pre - iconoclastic period.

There are monasteries, churches, residence locations, tunnels, mills, glasses, etc in the valley that has been used for settlement until 1952.

Çavuşin Church
It is beside Göreme - Avanos road, 2.5 km far from Göreme. It has single nef, cradle vault, 3 absissa and its nartex has been destroyed. Çavuşin Church that has been constructed in the name of Emperor Nicephorus Phocas is dated to the year 964 - 965. The themes used in the church are taken from the Bible and the life of Christ as in other churches.

Açıksaray Ruins
It is 3 km to Gülşehir. It is an important ruin place with many locations carved into tuff rocks and with the churches. It is dated to 9th - 10th century. The earth pillar in the form of a mushroom in this region is seen only in this ruin place in Cappadocia.

St. Jean Church
It is at the entrance of Gülşehir. It has 2 floors. In the lower floor there are wine cellar, water canals and graves. The upper floor is the church and its walls are ornamented with scenes taken from the Bible. After being restored by archeologist / Restaurateur Rıdvan İşler, it has taken its current form.

In the church including the syclus of Christ and Bible, the scenes are in the form of friezes in bands. Yellow and brown colors are used on black background. Plant and geometric motifs are seen in the niche vaults and faces. On the western and southern walls, the Last Jurisdiction scene, which is rarely seen in Cappadocia Region is used. In accordance with the inscription on the Church absis, the church is dated to the year 1212.

Özkonak Underground City
The underground city in Özkonak Town that is 14 km to Avanos, is constructed on a location where the tuff layers consisting of volcanic, granite layers are too thick on the northern slopes of İdiş Mountain. The underground city has not been completely cleaned yet, but the galleries spread to cleaned large areas are connected to each other through tunnels.

Kaymaklı Underground City
It is in Kaymaklı Town of Nevşehir Province. It is 20 km to Nevşehir. It has 8 floors and its first floor has been made in the Hittite Period. It has been converted into an underground city by carving and expanding other areas in the Roman and Byzantine Periods. Today, its 4 floors are illuminated and opened for visit.

This underground city, which is carved into tuff rocks, has the necessary shelter conditions for temporary living of a group. They have rooms and halls connected to each other via narrow corridors, wine depots, water tanks, kitchen and provision depots, ventilation tunnels, water wells and large bolt stones that close the door from the inner side in order to prevent any dangers that may come from the church and external environment.

Derinkuyu Underground City
It is in Derinkuyu District that is 30 km to Nevşehir, on Nevşehir - Niğde highway. As in Kaymaklı Underground city, there are locations that can shelter a big group and meet their needs. This underground city consists of 8 floors. Being different from Kaymaklı underground city, there is a missioner school, one confession place, baptism pool and a well drawing the attention of the visitors.

Underground cities are structures special to the geological formations of Cappadocia region and such samples are not met in other regions.

Mazı Underground Cities
Mazı Village, whose archaic name was "Mataza", is 18 km south of Ürgüp and 10 km east of Kaymaklı underground city. 4 entrances could be determined at different locations; its main entrance is provide with the corridor made of irregular stones. The large bolt stone in the short corridor takes the entrance and exit of the underground city under control. The small room in the internal side has been made to provide easy movement of the bolt stone. The stables that are spread to the wide areas of the underground settlement are not different from the others. From the stables, the church of the underground city is reached via a short corridor. The entrance of this place can be closed with a bolt stone. The absis of the church is carved at the corner and its front side is ornamented with relief.

Özlüce Underground City
The underground city in the center of Özlüce Village, whose old name was "Zile" is 6 km west of Kaymaklı town on Nevşehir - Derinkuyu highway.

At the entrance, there is a place having two arches interlocked to each other. After that, through a passage of 15 m made of rubble stones, the main tuff rock is reached. The places made of stone providing access to the underground city are newer in comparison with the rock - carved locations forming the main underground city. At the end of this corridor, the bolt stone made of hard granite stone having a diameter of 1.75 m exists.

The main place at the entrance is the largest area of the underground settlement and consists of two parts. On the right of the large place, there are provision depots and on the left of it there are the living rooms. There are cell - type rooms at the sides of the galleries which are very long, and there are traps on the floors.

In case the electrical installation and layout arrangement are made, Özlüce underground city can be opened for tourism.

Tatlarin Church and Underground City
It is 10 km to Acıgöl District of Nevşehir Province. It is at the slope of the hill of Tatlarin town, which is called as the "Fort". The nartex of the church, which has two nefs, two absissa and cradle vault, has been destroyed. The scenes in the frescos that are protected very well are separated from each other with bands. Grey is used on the floor and purple, mustard and red are used in the representations.

The underground city, which is opened for visit in 1991, reminds the military garrison or monastery complex because of the big number of its provision depots, its large places and the big number of churches. The underground city has spread to very large areas, but only a small part could be cleaned. The most important feature of the underground city, two floors of which can be visited now, is its having a toilet, which is not found in other underground cities.