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HISTORICAL
SITES
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 IHLARA
VALLEY
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 This
valley is situated 40 km from Aksaray and can be reached making
a turn at the 11th km of the Aksaray-Nevsehir road.. The canyon
was created by the cracking and collapsing which occurred as
a result of basalt and andesite lave from Mt.Hasandag’s eruption.
The Melendiz river found its way through these cracks, eroding
the canyon bed and helping to form canyon we see today. The
Melendiz river was used to be called “Potamus Kapadukus” which
means the River of Cappadocia. The 14km long, 100-150m high
valley begins at Ihlara an ends at Selime. There are numerous
dwellings, churches and gravesbuilt into the valley walls,
some of which are connected by tunnels and corridors.
The valley proved to be an idela place for the
seclusion and worship of monks, and a hideaway and defense
area for people during times of invasion. The decorations in
the churches can be dated to various times from the 6th to
the 13thcenturies, and the churches can be classified into
two groups. The churches near to Ihlara display frescoes with
Oriental influence. Those nearer to Belisirma display Byzantine
type decorations. Very few Byzantine inscriptions in this area
can be read. Above a 13th century fresco in the church of St.George
(Kirkdamalti), the names of Seljuk Sultan Mesud II (1282-1305)
and the Byzantine Emperor Andronicos II are inscribed. This
is proof of the tolerance of the Seljuk rulers.
The best preserved frescoes are to be found in
the churches of Agacalti, Purenliseki, Kokar, Yilanli and Kirkdamalti.
Agacalti Church (Beneath The Tree)
The plan of this church is cruciform, with domes,
a barrel vaulted ceiling and three apses. The main apse and
the southern apse are collapsed. Entrance to the church is
by this collapsed main apse. It is also known as the church
of St.Daniel, due to the picture of St.Daniel on the wall opposite
the entrance. Red, grey and yellow were used on a white background
to decorate the church. The vault of the north arm of the cross
is covered in various motifs.
This church belongs to the Pre-Iconoclastic period
or between 9th and 11th centuries.
Scenes: Annunciation, Visitatino, Nativity, Adoration
of the Magi, Flight into Egypt, Baptism, Koimesis (Falling
Asleep of Mother Mary), Daniel among the Lions; on the dome
are Ascension and portraits of the saints.
Kokar Church
This single nave, barrel vaulted church is entered
by way of the collapsed apse. Beyond the nave the rock was
further dug out to form a burial area. The main color of the
paintings is grey. A large cross is painted on the well-preserved
vault, and a hand painted within a square in the center of
the cross symbolises the Triple Sanctitication and around it
an embellishment, divided into 4, full of geometrical patterns.
The church is dated to 9th century.
Scenes: Deesis, Annunciation, Visitation, Proof
of the Virgni, Nativity, Adoration of the Magi, Baptism, Three
Young Men in the Fiery Furnace, Flight into Egypt, Last Supper,
Betrayal of Judas, Crucifixion, Women at the Tomb, Ascension,
Entombment, Pentecost and portraits of saint.
Yilanli (Snake) Church
This barrel vaulted church has one apse and
is built on a cruciform plan. Monks’ graves are housed in the
chapel on the north wall. The church gets its name from the
painting of four naked, sinful women being attacked by serpents
on the west wall. As the inscriptions have been worn away,
the sin of the first woman attacked by 8 serpents is unknown.
The second woman’s breast is being attacked because she did
not breast feed her baby. The third woman is being attacked
on the mouth for telling lies, and the fourth’s ears are under
attack because she was disobedient. This church dates back
to the end of the 9th century.
Selime
Selime is situated at the end of the Ihlara
valley. Fairy chimneys rest on the steep hilside, and a basilica
style cathedral, the Seljuk tomb of Selime Sultan, whom the
town was named after, a hollowed our citadel and churches are
also found here.
Guzelyurt
Guzelyurt is 45 km from Aksaray and 15 km from
Ihlara. With its beautiful nature and 19th century architecture
it is an important place for visitors to Cappadocia.
Gregory of Nazianzus, who worked hard to spread
Christianity in the area, turned Guzelyurt into an important
center.
Churches found in guzelyurt are, Yuksek, Kizil,
Silvisli, Ahmatli and Koc. Guzelyurt also boasts a church built
in 1891, now used as a mosque.
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