Cappadocia

[The March Hare]

Part 1

CAPPADOCIA
Cappadocian region is the place where nature and history come together most beautifully within the world. While geographic events are forming Peribacalarý (fairy chimneys), during the historical period, humans had carried the signs of thousand years old civilizations with carving houses and churches within these earth pillars and decorating them with frisks.





During the Roman Emperor, Augustus period, territories of Cappadocian Region as a wide region lying till to the Toros Mountains at south, Aksaray at west, Malatya at east and Eastern Black Sea shores at north within the 17 volume book named 'Geographika' of Strabon, one of the Antic Period writers. Today's Cappadocian Region is the area covered by Nevþehir, Aksaray, Niðde, Kayseri, and Kýrþehir cities. More limited area, rocky Cappadocian Region is composed of Üçhisar, Göreme, Avanos, Ürgüp, Derinkuyu, Kaymaklý, Ihlara and environment.



Traditional Cappadocian houses and dovecotes carved into stones are showing the uniqueness of the region. These houses are constructed on the feet of the mountain via rocks or cut stones. Rock, which is the only construction material of the region, as it is very soft after quarry due to the structure of the region, can be easily processed but after contact with air it hardens and turns into a very strong construction material. Due to being plentiful and easy to process of the used material, regional unique masonry is developed and turned into an architectural tradition. Materials of neither courtyard nor house doors is wood. Upper parts of the doors built with arches are decorated with stylized ivy or rosette motifs.



Dovecotes within the region are small structures constructed within 18th century and end of 19th century. Some of the dovecotes, which are important for showing Islamic picture art are constructed as monastery or church. Surfaces of dovecotes are decorated with rich inscriptions and adornments by regional artists.





NEVÞEHÝR

Area: 5.467 km²

Population: 289.509 (1990)

Traffic Code: 50

The province of Nevþehir is one of the major cities of Cappadoccia Region and displays a beautiful combination of nature and history. The geographic movements had formed the fairy chimneys and during the historical development process, mankind had settled and inhabited these natural wonders, fairy chimneys and carved houses and churches inside these formations and adorned these settlements with frescos, carrying the traces of the thousands of years of their civilizations.

Districts: Nevþehir (center), Acýgöl, Avanos, Derinkuyu, Gülþehir, Hacýbektaþ, Kozaklý, Ürgüp.





HOW TO GET

Highway: Reaching to the province of Nevþehir via highway is possible from the entire country.

Telephone of the Bus Station: (+ 90 - 384) 213 40 25



Air Transportation: The airport is approximately 30 km. away from the city center. Reaching to the airport is possible via busses, shared taxis and commercial taxis.

GEOGRAPHY

The area of the Nevþehir province is located on a very vast plateau in Central Anatolia, which is formed by the massing of the ashes and lava of old volcanoes like Erciyes, Melendiz and Hasan daglarý Mountains. This plateau was carved in depth by the longest river of the country, Kýzýlýrmak river in the direction of east - west. And this area was also broken into pieces by the deep valleys formed by the branches of Kýzýlýrmak river, which join the river from the southern and northern directions. The city center was founded at the western skirts of this vast and high plains which is called as the, Kýzýlýrmak plateau.

The province of Nevþehir displays the typical terrestrial climate properties with hot and dry summer seasons and cold and precipitant winter seasons. The Formation of the Fairy Chimneys

The corrosion of the tuff structure of the valley by the waters of the floods and winds had formed strange and interesting formations named 'peribacasi'. As the flood waters find their way through the steep slopes, the hard rocks cracked and break off. As the easily abrading material found at the lower parts of the valley was carved deeply the slope was moved backwards, therefore forming a hat like formation on the top and a conical shaped body part preserved without corroding. The peribacalarý with hat like formations are mostly encountered at the vicinity of Ürgüp district and are with conical bodies carrying a block of rock at the top section. The body is a variety of rock composed of tuff, tuffite and volcanic ash; and the hat like formation is formed from hard rocks like lahar and ignimbrite. Namely, the rock type forming the hat like formation is more resistant than the rock type forming the body part. This is the first condition for the formation of a peribacasý. According to the resistance of the rock at the hat like formation, the life span of the peribacalari varies between long or short periods.

Other types of peribacasý formed by erosion in the Cappadoccian Region are as follows; with cone, in the shape of mushroom, with pillars and pointed peribacalari. The Peribacalari are most frequently encountered at the valleys remaining inside the triangle of Ürgüp - Üçhisar - Avanos districts, at the region remaining between Ürgüp - Þahin efendi and at the vicinity of the Çat borough of Nevþehir province. The interesting twines formed at the skirts of the valleys by the rain waters attain a different property to the region other than Peribacalari. The harmony of the colors encountered at the skirts of some valleys is formed because of the temperature differences between the lava layers. These formations could be found in Üçhisar, Çavuþin - Güllüdere, Göreme - Meskendir, Ortahisar - Kýzýlçukur and Pancarlýk localities.

HISTORY

The settlement and inhabitance history of the province extends to the date BC 3000 years and hosted numerous settlement places and civilizations until the prehistoric periods. The city was remembered with the name, Cappadoccian Kingdom in history. The province and the surrounding region had been under the reign of Hittites, Persians, Macedonians, Selevkosians, Romans, Byzantine, Seljukians, Dulkadirogullari and Ottomans.




WHERE TO EAT

One should taste wines produced from the local grapes, molasses, the çömlek (earthenware pot) kebab of Avanos district, marrow desert of Acýgöl district, lemon and grapefruits stored in the caves of Ortahisar and the delicious apricots of Ortahisar.



WHAT TO BUY

The souvenirs of the region could be counted as earthenware pots and pans, leather works, carpets, jewelry crafted from onyx stone.





DON'T LEAVE WITHOUT

- Visiting and seeing the rock churches of Nevþehir province and Byzantine wall fresco arts,

- Visiting the Hacýbektaþ Museum in which the samples of Turkish -Islam art creations are exhibited,

- Visiting the Külliye and Mosque of Damat Ýbrahim Paþa located at the Nevþehir city center,

- Visiting the Hittite rock epitaph located in Acýgöl District,

- Buying earthenware pots and pans, adornments crafted from copper and onyx stone, and leather crafts as souvenirs,

- Trying to make earthenware pots in the pot and pan workshops which are powered with the turning by your feet in Avanos,



WHERE TO VISIT

AVANOS

The old city of Avanos overlooks the longest river the Turkey, the Kýzýlýrmak (Red River), which also separates it from the rest of Cappadocia. Located 18 km north of Nevsehir, the ancient name of this city used to be Venessa. The most famous historical feature of Avanos, which is still relevant and very visible today, is its production of earthenware pottery. The ceramic trade in this district and its countless pottery factories date right back to the Hittites, and the ceramic clay from the red silt of the Kýzýlýrmak has always been used. It is a popular destination because of its attractive old town with cobbled streets, and superb views over the river.



Climate

Summers are hot and dry, while winters are cold and wet.

Where to Visit

Zelve

About 5 km from Avanos and 1 km from Pasabaglari, Zelve was founded on the steep northern slopes of Aktepe. Consisting of three separate valleys, the ruins of Zelve is the area with the most 'fairy chimneys' - a famous sight special to Cappadocia - which here have sharp points and thick trunks. It is not known exactly when people began living in the dwellings carved into the rock, found in places like Uchisar, Goreme, Cavusin and Zelve. What is known is that Zelve was an important Christian community and religious centre in the 9th and 13th centuries, and the first religious seminars for priests were held in the vicinity.



Çavuþin (Nicephorus Phocas) Church

It is beside the Göreme-Avanos road 2.5 km out of Göreme. The narthex of this church has fallen down. It has tunnel vaults, a high nave and 3 apses. It dates back to 964-965 AD.



Güllüdere (St. Agathangelus) Church

It is located in the far left draw of the Güllüdere valley about 2 km from the village of Çavuþin. It was founded at the mouth of the draw on top of a steep slope.

The design of the nave is square with a flat ceiling and it has a single broad apse. The apse was added in the 9th or 10th century to the main structure dating back to the 6th - 7th century. There are 2 or 3 layers of frescoes in the apse which indicates that it was painted regularly. Symbols of Gospel authors are drawn symmetrically and are sitting on the right and left of an enthroned Jesus.

In the middle of the flat ceiling is the relief of a cross in the middle of a circle surrounded with palm leaves and garlands. This sort of relief most likely belongs to the Iconoclastic period. The people of the area had a great love for the cross and it continued to be used as a motif after the Iconoclastic era because it symbolized the "Holy Cross" in Jerusalem.



Özkonak Underground City

Located 14 km northeast of Avanos, this underground city was built on the northern slopes of Mt. Idis in an area with lots of strata made up of volcanic granite. The extensive galleries of the city are spread out over a large area and connected to each another by tunnels. Unlike the underground cities in Kaymakli and Derinkuyu, there are very narrow (5 cm) and long holes between the different levels of the city that used to provide communication between the different levels of the city. The ventilation of these neatly carved out rooms was provided by these holes when the city was sealed up against enemies.

The city was discovered in 1972 by the local muezzin and farmer Latif Acar, when trying to find out where the water disappeared to when tending to his crops. He first found an underground room which, when later excavated, revealed a whole city which housed an incredible 60,000 people for up to three months. A total of 10 floors were discovered, to a depth 40m, although now only four are open.

Unlike the other underground cities in this area, besides the rolling stone doors, there were holes above the tunnels used for dumping hot oil on the enemy. Similar to Kaymakli and Derinkuyu, Ozkonak has a ventilation system, a water well, a winery and rolling stone doors.

Opening hours: Summer 08.00 - 19.00; winter 08.00 - 17.00

Don't Leave Without

Seeing the views from Zelve,

Visiting Çavuþin and Güllüdere Churches,

Exploring the Özkonak underground ancient city,

Watching the steps of pottery making,

Buying regional handicrafts.

ÜRGÜP

Ürgüp, 20 km east of Nevsehir, is one of the most important centres of the Cappadocia region. Like Goreme, it had numerous names in the course of its history, and its cave dwellings scattered around the village make it a very tourist-friendly destination. It has many hotels and guest-houses, good entertainment, old Greek houses from before the population exchange of 1923, and an atmosphere which has remained attached to its tradition despite a modernising tourist industry.
It is a good base to explore the nearby Goreme Valley.


Climate

From season to season, the climate is quite extreme. Summers are hot and dry, with warm nights. Winters are cold and it can even snow, while spring and autumn are mild.



History

With a geological structure of volcanic formations, Urgup was established within the region which had been shaped into fantastic forms known as ‘Fairy Chimneys’, through erosions of water and wind. The were formed as floodwater poured down the sides of the valleys, combined with strong winds which tore away the softer volcanic rocks, resulting in this unique landscape. It is an important centre in Cappadocia, and has been known by many names: Osian (Assiana), Hagios Prokopios (Byzantine), Bashisar (Seljuk), Burgat Kaalesi (Ottoman) and finally Urgup, from shortly after the founding of the Turkish Republic.




Where to Visit

Pembe Valley

The most stunning examples of the local landscape and the Fairy Chimneys can be seen along the route to Avanos. Many of these rock formations resemble animals, and the shapes of camels and rabbits can be seen.



Kýzýlçukur

As a centre of grape and wine production, Kizilcukur, a couple of kilometres northwest of Urgup, contains churches cut into the strange rock formations and decorated with grape figures. The rocks are decorated in different colours, making it a spectacular sight at sunset.



Mustafapaþa

Located 5km from Urgup, the small village of Mustafapasa has old stone houses with attractive carved facades dating back to the end of the 19th century, and a cluster of small churches. Once known as Sinasos when it was a thriving Greek community before World War I, it makes an interesting trip from Urgup although is not easily accessible by public transport. Places of interest include a 19th century medrese, the Ayios Vasilios Church, and the Church of Sts Constantine and Helena. There are several small guest-houses and restaurants.



Sarýhan

Sarihan (Yellow Caravanserai), around 10km north of Urgup, was constructed by Seljuk Sultan Alaattin Keykubat in 1217. It has a huge courtyard with elaborate gateway, and was used for the loading of animals and a place for travellers break their journey. It is also a great example of Seljuk-Turkish architecture. The road was re-laid and the building restored in the late 1980s, and is now functioning as a museum and cultural centre with performances of dervish dancing in the summer. There is little public transport to Sarihan.



Halacdere

Engraved into the tuffs, these basilica-type churches were thought to have been used as hospital buildings by the Christians, and are now almost destroyed. Similar ones can be seen in Ortahisar, like St Peter and St Paul Churches, and the one near the Meskendir River.



Fýratkan

On the road to the Goreme Open Air Museum, Firatkan is a small complex of churches. They have two storeys, consisting of a dormitory, dining hall, kitchen and storerooms, and the storeys are connected to each other through tunnels.



Ortahisar

This village, 3 km southeast of the Goreme Valley, is most famous for its 50m high rock-castle, which is visible from the main road. It is possible to climb the rock, which offers stunning views of the surrounding area. This attractive farming village also has examples of the monastery lifestyle, and is a strong cultural and commercial centre. Other places of interest in this area include Harim Church, Sanca Church and Cambazli Church.



Damsa Dam

Constructed on the Damsa River, the dam is 17 km from Urgup and used mainly for irrigation. It is now an attractive area for walks and picnics, on the shore of the Damsa Lake, surrounded by pine forests and offering good shade in the summer. It is a convenient place to stop en route to Mustafapasa, Taskinpasa and Soganli.

MUSEUMS

Ürgüp Museum

In the museum, which is opened on 1971, there are Prehistorical, Ancient Bronze Age, Hittite, Frig, Persia, Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantium and Ottoman period pieces of arts besides Ürgüp and environs acquired fossil samples. There is also an ethnographic section for regional clothes, furniture and guns within the museum.

Ruins of Ürgüp Museum are Mustafapaþa (Sinasos) Aios Vasilios Church, Monastery Valley Churches, Yeþilöz (Saint Theodor) Church and Pancarlýk Church.





RELIGIOUS MONUMENTS

Saint Theodore (Tagar) Church

Around 15 km southeast of Urgup, the village of Yesiloz contains the famous T-shaped St Thoedore’s Church. It is possible to access the gallery on the upper floor by a ladder, making it unique in Cappadocia. The church has been decorated by three artists, whose pictures are generally well preserved. Scenes depicted include the prophets, the disciples, Christ on the crucifix and the angels Gabriel and Michael.



Pancarlýk Church

South of Ortahisar in the Pancarlik Valley, this church dates back to the first half of the 11th century. Its intricate religious paintings are predominantly green, and have generally been well preserved. They depict a vast range of biblical scenes, including Joseph’s second dream, the escape to Egypt, the miracle of the water into wine, the loaves and fishes, the cure of a leper, Christ on the crucifix and later his resurrection.

Scenes

Appearances of the prophets, herald, visit, evidence of virginity, voyage to Beytüllahim, birth, worship of three astrologer, second dream of Joseph, escape to Egypt, massacre of innocent children, introduction of Jesus Christ to temple, follow up of Elizabeth, appointment of Baptist Yahya, baptism, test of Jesus Christ, Kana marriage, wine miracle, fish and bread augmentation, appointment of disciples for sake of God, cure of devil crooked man, cure of leper man, cure of disabled woman, cure of daughter of Jairus, fish augmentation miracle, Jesus Christ and woman from Samarra, metamorphism, Jesus Christ on the way to Golgotha, Jesus on crucifix, Landing of Jesus Christ to inferno, rise of Jesus Christ to the sky, angel Gabriel and Michael and saint pictures in medallions.

Ala Church and Kepez Churches

These are considered important churches in the region, located on the road to Pancarkil. They have plain red decorations, and frescoes.



Balkan Churches

These form a small cluster, some 2 km from Ortahisar, and date back to the Ikolonazma period.

Taþkýnpaþa Mosque

In the centre of the village of Damsa, 20 km south of Urgup, Taskinpasa mosque dates back to the Karamanlilar period. Its balcony is made of walnut ornamental inlaying, which is the only remaining one of its kind. The Taskinpasa Tomb, belonging to Hizir Reis, is opposite the mosque and belongs to the same period.



CASTLES

Kadý Castle

This rock-castle was a place of refuge for women and children during times of danger. A tunnel opened to the Damsa River, constructed for the purpose. Most of the building has since collapsed mainly due to erosion, but the undamaged section is open to visitors.



TOMBS

Temenni (Mausoleum )

This monumental Selcuk tomb, constructed by Vecihi Pasa and dedicated to Kilicarslan IV, dates back to 1288. Perched on Kadi Kalesi, the most peculiar feature of the tomb is the 700m tunnel, of which the original purpose is unclear. It has an Ottoman library, one of the oldest in Anatolia, with photographs of pre-1923 Urgup. Visitors are allowed to walk through the corridor that leads to the point of a wonderful view of the surrounding countryside.

Opening hours: 08:30 – 18:00, daily.

Altýkapý

Literally translating as Six Gates Tomb, this monument in the north of the city centre was constructed by a commander from the 12th of 13th century Selcuk period, and dedicated to his wife and children.




Cont

[The March Hare]

Wha to Buy Part 2

This is a good area to buy carpets, jewellery and antiquities, and many traders come here en route to Istanbul. The main shopping area starts at Cumhuriyet Meydani and continues down Kayseri Caddesi, and carpets from throughout the country can be found here. There are shops selling a good range of silver antiques, brought mainly from the villages around eastern Turkey. Other souvenirs include figures of Fairy Chimneys, Cappadocian dolls, ceramic cups, and of course local wine which is sold in various wine houses.



Don't Leave Without

Visiting Ürgüp Museum,

Seeing the churches and Taskinpasa Mosque,

Seeing the unique rock formations in the surrounding area,

Buying region made souvenirs.

HACI BEKTAÞ

Hacý Bektaþ is 45 km away from Nevþehir on Nevþehir - Kirþehir road. Pieces of arts which are belong to Ancient bronze Age, Hittite, Frig, Hellenistic and Roman Periods, and found as a result of excavations performed at province center are exhibited at Hacý Bektaþ Archeology Museum.

There is a Karaburna rock monument, which is written with Hittite hieroglyph, which belongs to Late Hittite Period, like at Topada and Sivasa, near to Karaburna village near to Hacý Bektaþ.

Hacý Bektaþ-ý Veli and His Philosophy

It is thought that Hacý Bektaþ - ý Veli, whose real name was Muhammed bin Musa and dates of birth and death are not certainly known, is born on 1209 - 1210, and died on 1270 - 1271. According to the told epics, he is from Niþabur. His childhood and youth is passed in Horasan, and learned philosophy, social and fundamental sciences at Hoca Ahmet Yesevi School. Hacibektaþ, had come to Anatolia from Horasan in a period, when Seljukian's political and economical order is corrupted, and divisions in management existed; and showed his best efforts for maintaining Turkish unity, and to become Anatolia into Turk and Islamic with visiting every villages and cities. He had trained young people in the school, which is established by him in formerly named as Sulucakarahöyük and currently named as Hacibektaþ province; and tried to prevent Turkish language and culture from foreign impacts and degeneration. His tolerance and humanity based thought system is reached and assumed by wide public masses within a short period of time. "End of the road, which don't follow science, is dark", "Let women to be studied ", "Hold your hand, tongue and waist", "research is an open examination", "Whatever you search, search into yourself", "Don't forget that even your enemy is a human". Above mentioned epigrams are best explaining the philosophy of Hacý Bektaþ - ý Veli. His alignment is reflecting the same understanding with 1948 Human Rights Universal Declaration.

Climate

Summers are hot and dry, winters are cold and rainy in Hacý Bektaþ which is within Cappadocia region.


Where to Visit

Haci Bektaþ - ý Veli Museum

Hacý Bektaþ - ý Veli Dervish Convent, which is completed between XIIIth and XIXth centuries according to architecture, had restored (repaired) lots of times in the course of history. It holds a poem characteristic instead of a külliye according to architectural terminology. Dervish Convent is repaired by Foundations General Directorate between 1958 and 1964 and organized as Ethnography Museum on 16th August, 1964, and opened for visit.

Balým Sultan Tomb

It is within the third garden of Hacý Bektaþ Dervish Convent. It is constructed on 1569 for Bektaþi sect founder and second Piri Hizir Balim Sultan in Seljukian Architecture style.

Don't Leave Without

Visiting Third founder and second Pir of Hacý Bektaþ Dervish Convent,

Hacý Bektaþ - ý Veli Dervish Convent and Tomb as well as Balým Sultan Tomb,

Buying souvenirs.

Nevsehir - Göreme National Park

Location: Goreme National Park is just outside the village of Goreme, 12km east of Nevsehir and in the heart of Cappadocia, in Central Anatolia.



Transportation: Goreme village is easily accessible by road from all directions, especially through Nevsehir. The Ankara – Adana highway approaches from the northwest, the Aksaray – Nevsehir from the southwest, and the Kayseri – Urgup highway from the northeast. The national park can be reached on foot from the village.



Highlights: The national park consists of valleys with the world-famous rock formations of Cappadocia, the conical shaped rocks shaped over centuries out of eroded volcanic stone, and known as Fairy Chimneys.

In addition to the fascinating landscape formed by the volcanic tuff and cave dwellings, there are also important Byzantine churches, which reflect the history of religious art in that period. Because of the geological characteristics of the area, and the fact that it was secluded, people living here could hide themselves away from the various battles taking place, as well as from the authority of the central administration.

Monastery life in the area began in the 3rd and 4th centuries, and grew quickly. There are the remains of monuments, churches, chapels, dining halls, monk cell alcoves, depots, and wine production places all decorated with frescos. The nearby villages of Urgup, Avcilar, Uchisar, Cavusini and Yeni Zalve still reflect traditional life and agricultural practices of Goreme’s past. That, and the unique morphological structure of Goreme, is the main attraction to the area.



Facilities: The best time to visit the area is between March and November. Trekking routes are clearly marked around the valley and there are many hotels, pensions and restaurants in the area, especially in Goreme village.

ANCIENT CITIES

Mustafapaþa It is located 6 km south of Ürgüp district. The Gömede Valley which is located at the west of Mustafapaþa is a miniature similitude of the Ihlara Valley from the geomorphologic aspect. The valley hosts the rock carved churches, shelters and a creek flowing through the valley as is at the Ihlara valley.









Ihlara Valley The valley is located at 40 km. distance to the Aksaray district of Nevþehir. Reaching to the valley is possible via the road separation which is at the 11th km. of the Aksaray - Nevþehir highway. The valley was formed from the appearance of cracks and collapses formed from the cooling of the molten lava coming from the Hasandagý Mountain and this lava had intensely contain basalt and andesite contents. The valley had attained the today's formation by the assistance of the Melendiz Creek which flows through these cracks and this creek was named as 'Potamus Kapadukus" during the first ages of historic period which means "the river of Cappadoccia". The valley with 14 km. length begins from Ihlara borough and ends at Selime borough. The depth of the valley occasionally extends to 100 -150 meters. There are numerous shelters, burial grounds and churches carved into the rocky surface of the valley. Some of these shelters and churches are connected to each other with tunnels as is encountered at the underground cities.

Kurþunlu Mosque (Külliye of Damat Ýbrahim Pasha Külliye-Center): The Külliye was constructed by Damat Ýbrahim Pasha, who was from Nevþehir in 18th Century. The structure of Külliye is composed of a mosque, a theological school, a library, a youth school, a charitable establishment and a bathhouse. The mosque which is located to the southeast of the Külliye was constructed in the year 1726. The exterior part of the mosque displays a plain appearance while the interior sections are decorated with the embroideries reflecting the characteristics of the Tulip Period of the Ottoman Empire.

Hacý Bektaþ Veli Dervish Convent and Kulliye (Hacý Bektaþ): Hacý Bektaþ Veli is a famous Turkish - Islam intellect and thinker who lived in the 13th century. Having a brilliant and superior intellect and personality, Hacý Bektaþ Veli had been initially educated in the culture society of the great Turkish intellectual and thinker Hodja Ahmet Yesevi, the patron saint of the Turkish lands and had attained the broad accumulation of knowledge and a wide understanding of the world in Horasan where numerous Turkish scientists had grown up. After he had roamed every city and every village of Central Anatolia, he had founded a Belief and Education Center in Suluca Karahöyük in order to preserve the Turkish traditions and customs and had educated numerous students. Also known as a patron saint in the Janissary society, Hacý Bektaþ Veli had assisted to the obtaining of the Turkish-Islam Union in Anatolia.

Dervish Convent and Kulliye (Hacý Bektaþ): The Kýzýlca Halvet (suffering house) and its premises was constructed in 14th century by Hacý Bektaþ Veli and attachments had been constructed in the following years. The Dervish Convent was restored in 19th century; the structure complex had been overhauled between 1959 - 1964 by the Charitable Foundations General Directorate and had been arranged as a museum in 1964.

Hacý Bektaþ Veli Mausoleum (House of Saint - Hacý Bektaþ): The sides of the mausoleum had been composed of side by side three arched eyvan. The entrance to the House of the Saint is from a double door with iron bars under a great archway.

Tokalý (Buckled) Church (Göreme): The church had been located in the Göreme Valley and is the oldest known rock church of the region. The church is made up of four separate sections; single nef Old Church, New Church, the church under the Old Church and the side chapel to the north of the new church. The old church was dated to be constructed to the beginnings of the 10th century. Although the old church is understood as the entrance section of the new church, the structure is original with its single nef, cradle vault structure. The depictions of the Saints, the Joyful Tiding, The Visit, The proof of the Virginity, the voyage to Beytüllahim, the birth, the worship of the three astrologers, the massacre of the innocent children, the escape to Egypt, the presentation of Jesus to the temple, the descent of Jesus to Hell, The ascend of Jesus to the heaven and similar depictions are located in the church.
The new church is planned as rectangular in width and has a simple cradle vault structure. Inside its nef of cradle vault, the cycle of Jesus is processed in chronological order with colors of blue and red are frequently used. The Lapis blue is the most important property distinguishing the Tokalý (Buckled) church from other churches.
The width wide nef contains depictions displaying the life of Saint Basil, depictions of various saints and mostly the miracles of Jesus. The church is dated to be constructed to the late 10th century and the early 11th century.

Monastery of Priests and Nuns (Göreme): The 6 - 7 floored rock mass located to the left of the entrance of the Göreme Open Air Museum is known as "The Monastery of the Nuns“. The dining hall, the kitchen and some of its rooms located at the first floor and the collapsed chapel at the second floor are available for visit. The church located at the third floor (accessible via a tunnel) has a transversal dome, four pillars and three abscissas. The frescos of Jesus which are directly painted on the rocks are adorned with red adornments.

St. Basil Chapel (Göreme): The chapel is located at the entrance of the Göreme Open Air Museum. The church is dated to the 11th century. A portrait of Jesus, depictions of Mother Mary and Child Jesus, depiction of Saint Theodore, depictions of Saint George fighting a dragon while riding a horse could be seen inside the church.

Elmalý Church (Göreme): The church is located inside Göreme Open Air Museum and has a simple plan. Under the preserved frescos, geometric decorations from the icono-classic period had been revealed. According to those decorations, it is understood that the church had been constructed in the 2nd period. The frescos depict the portions of the life of Jesus. The colors used in the church are blue, red and its shades, brown, yellow and white and the details of the clothing in the frescos are stated.
The baptism of Jesus, The crucifixion, the alteration, the last supper, the resurrection of Lazarus, the ascend of Jesus to the skies are the major themes depicted at the frescos. The architectural elements such as pillars and pillar titles display the depictions of the saints stated in the bible and some of the prophets. The church attains the name from the apple a garden surrounding the church and the frescos inside the church is dated to the 2nd century.

Yýlanlý (Snaked) Church (Göreme): The church is located inside Göreme Open Air Museum. The church contains the depictions of the Saints that are respected in Cappadoccia and is dated to be constructed to the 11th century. Some of the depictions in the frescos are as follows: Jesus holding a bible and accompanied by the Bani of the Church, Saint Onesimus, Saint George and saint Theodore battling the dragon, Saint Oniphrius naked, with long hair and holding a palm tree in front.



Dark Church (Göreme): The church is located inside Göreme Open Air Museum. The church only obtains light from a little window at the narthex and therefore is almost dark. The name of the church is derived from this fact. The structure is entirely adorned with frescos. The church has the most intact frescos of the region.
Some of the themes depicted at the frescos are as follows: The protection of the tomb of Jesus by Angels, the crucifixion, the begging of Jesus, the resurrection of Jesus, the last supper of Jesus with 12 apostle, the four saints who wrote the bible together with Jesus, the birth and baptism of Jesus, etc.

Çarýklý Church (Göreme): The church is located inside Göreme Open Air Museum. The name „crackle church“is assumed to be given because of the foot prints that are found under the depiction of the ascension of Jesus to the sky. The church is dated to be constructed at the late 12th century and early 13th century. The Cycles subjecting the life of Jesus, The Pentateuch scene displaying the hospitability of Prophet Ýbrahim and the depictions of Saint Bani are well preserved. Although looks similar to the Elmalý and Karanlýk (Dark) Church, the scenes depicting the walking of Jesus to the Crucifixion and the scene depicting the taking of Jesus from the cross are the different properties of the church.
The depictions of the birth, the worship of the three astrologers, the baptism, the resurrection of Lazarus, metamorphism, the voyage to Jerusalem, the treachery, the women following the gray tomb, the ascend of Jesus to the sky and Saints are present in the church.

Saint Barbara Chapel (Göreme): The church is located behind the rock blocks where the Elmalý Church is constructed. Rich geometric patterns, mythological animals and military symbols are painted to the walls and the dome. The walls also contain the depictions of Jesus Pantokreator (Ruler of the World) and Saints Georgia, Theodoros and Barbara. The church is dated to the second half of the 2nd century.

Durmuþ Kadir Church (Göreme): The church is in the style of basilica and is composed of a throne of the Priest, large rectangular pillars, place for the baptism event and various shaped tombs engraved in the walls of first section. The church accommodates the most beautiful samples of rock embossed decorations and is dated to be constructed in the 6th and 7th century.

El-Nazar Church (Göreme): The church is located inside the El - Nazar valley, 800 meters away from the road to the right of the Göreme - Museum road. The church is dated to be constructed to the late 10th century. The church contains depictions such as; the joyful tiding, the visit, the birth, the worship of the three astrologers, the escape to Egypt, The presentation of Jesus to the Temple, the persuasion of Elizabeth, the baptism etc.

Saklý (Hidden) Church (Göreme): As the church was discovered in the year 1957, the church was named as the “Hidden Church“. The church is located in the vicinity of El - Nazar Church. The paints adorning the church are directly painted to the main rock body, not on plaster. Painted cloth pieces are found in the surrounding area of the church, and after the executed analysis, it is discovered that the cloths was used as the brush in the painting procedure of the church. The structure of the church is similar to the architecture tradition of the Mesopotamian church architecture. The paintings of the church are as follows; the joyful tiding, the birth, the presentation of Jesus to the temple, the assignment of the Baptist Yahya, metamorphism, etc.

Kýlýçlar (Swords) Church (Göreme): The church is located in the Kýlýçlar Valley, approximately 600 meters northeast of the Göreme Open Air Museum. The church is richly adorned with frescos and contains a long bible cycles. The church is dated to be constructed to the late 9th century and early 10th century. Inside the church there are depictions such as; the aspect of the prophets, the Joyful Tiding, the Visit, The accusation of Mary by Yusuf, the birth, the dream of Yusuf, the escape to Egypt, the baptism, Jesus and Zakkeus, the cure of the blind man, the washing of feet, the treachery etc.

Meryem Ana (Mother Mary) Church (Kýlýçlar Kuþluk Church) (Göreme): The church is located on the steep hill which is located to the south of Kýlýçlar (Swords) Church at an approximate distance of 250 meters to the open air museum behind the ridge of Tokalý Church. The church contains the depictions of the saints and the four scenes of the bible cycles. The church also contains the depictions as, deesis, the voyage to Beytüllahim, the birth, the crucifixion of Jesus, the dearth of Mother Mary and the depictions of the saints.

Saint Eustathios Church (Göreme): The church is located between the Tokalý Church and Mother Mary Church. The church contains frescos based on the bible. The church is dated to the early 10th century and there is a carved inscription stating the dates 1148 - 1149.

Tatlarin Church (Acýgöl): The church is located at the side of the hill under which the Tatlarin underground city is located. The scenes at the well - protected frescos are separated from each other with concrete. The color used in the decoration of the ground is dark gray, and the colors used at the frescos are purple, mustard and red.

The depictions found in the church are the Mary and the child, the metamorphosis, the descend of Jesus to hell, The entrance to Jerusalem and depictions of nine saints.





Taðar Church (St. Theodora Church-Ürgüp): The church is located at the Yeþilöz village of the Ürgüp district, 16.5 kilometers away from the Ürgüp - Kayseri highway. The upper gallery is reached via a stairway and therefore it is the unique sample among the Cappadoccian churches. The frescos of the church are generally well protected and the church is decorated by the styles of three artists. The church was constructed in the name of Saint Theodora and is dated to be constructed between 11th - 13th centuries. There are the aspects of the prophets, aspects of the apostles, Deesis, the Joyful Tiding, the crucifixion of Jesus and the aspects of the saints inside medallions.

Orthodox Church (Derinkuyu): It was built between 1858-1860. The restoration of the church and its surrounding adjacent to Derinkuyu underground city have still been under construction.

THERMAL RESORTS

NEVÞEHÝR





Kozaklý Thermal Resort





Location: In the town of Kozakli, 24km north of the Kayseri-Ankara highway, around 90km north-east of Nevsehir and north-west of Kayseri.







Transport: There is good transport to either Kayseri or Nevsehir, and Kozakli can be reached by public or private vehicle.







Water temperature: 27°C - 93°C







pH value: 6.7 - 7







Physical and chemical properties: Chlorine, sulphur, bicarbonate, sodium, calcium and radioactive.







Recommended Applications: Drinking and bathing







Helps to heal: Rheumatism, mental and muscular fatigue, skin conditions, gynaecological problems, respiratory conditions, joint pain and calcium deposits and eating disorders.







Accommodation: Motel with 102 rooms and 309 beds.


Nevsehir - Göreme National Park

Location: Goreme National Park is just outside the village of Goreme, 12km east of Nevsehir and in the heart of Cappadocia, in Central Anatolia.



Transportation: Goreme village is easily accessible by road from all directions, especially through Nevsehir. The Ankara – Adana highway approaches from the northwest, the Aksaray – Nevsehir from the southwest, and the Kayseri – Urgup highway from the northeast. The national park can be reached on foot from the village.



Highlights: The national park consists of valleys with the world-famous rock formations of Cappadocia, the conical shaped rocks shaped over centuries out of eroded volcanic stone, and known as Fairy Chimneys.

In addition to the fascinating landscape formed by the volcanic tuff and cave dwellings, there are also important Byzantine churches, which reflect the history of religious art in that period. Because of the geological characteristics of the area, and the fact that it was secluded, people living here could hide themselves away from the various battles taking place, as well as from the authority of the central administration.

Monastery life in the area began in the 3rd and 4th centuries, and grew quickly. There are the remains of monuments, churches, chapels, dining halls, monk cell alcoves, depots, and wine production places all decorated with frescos. The nearby villages of Urgup, Avcilar, Uchisar, Cavusini and Yeni Zalve still reflect traditional life and agricultural practices of Goreme’s past. That, and the unique morphological structure of Goreme, is the main attraction to the area.



Facilities: The best time to visit the area is between March and November. Trekking routes are clearly marked around the valley and there are many hotels, pensions and restaurants in the area, especially in Goreme village.

AKSARAY

Aksaray is located at middle Anatolia region, it was an important trade centre on the ancient silk road, and nowadays it is still placed on intersection point of main roads lies between east to west and north to south. Historical background of city can be traced to 8000 BC. Years and there are cultural creations those related to various civilisations. Aksaray that sited as the beginning gate of Capadocia, offers various and interesting vacation facilities to its visitors with apart from cultural values and also natural riches.

Districts: Aðaçören, Güzelyurt, Gülaðaç, Eskil, Ortaköy, Sarýyahþi.

IHLARA VALLEY

40 kilometre away from Aksaray. Valley can be reached by turning at the 11th kilometre point of Aksaray - Nevþehir roadway. Canyon constituted by breaks and collapses come out with getting cold of lavas that contains dense basalt and andesite substances and run over from Hasandað mountain. On that split area an Melendiz brook find way to flow and give today's shape to canyon, that brook was named in early ages 'Potamus Kapadukus" which means river of Capadocia. Valley lies 14 kilometre long.starts from Ihlara, come to an end at Selime. Valley's hight reach to 100 - 150 meter at some places. Across the valley there are innumerable shelters, tombs and churches that all engraved in to rocks present. Some of the shelters and church's are related each other with tunnels that similar to underground cities.

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