Cappodocia Region Susan Daly

Tufa columns carved by weather

Orchards and caves

Cappodocia was surrounded by 3 volcanoes. When they erupted millions of years ago, they left behind a layer of Tufa which is much softer than other sedimentary layers. This is the layer which rock churches were cut into during the period 4 th to 8 th centuries.

Many carved caves

Looking down into the Ilhara valley

The Ilhara Valley is an area where there is a 14 K hike along a river with many caves in the rock walls.

Belisirma, where we walked along the rivers edge to see some of the rock churches.

This is a pigeon coop used by the locals to collect pigeon dung for wine making.

The Melendic river was very beautiful and very peaceful.

Another pigeon coop cut in rock.

Direkli Kilise- a church

Decorations from the Iconoclast period

It was a hike to reach these caves.

The damage to his face was done during the period of Iconoclast controversy. Human images were forbidden.

The paintings inside the rock churches in the Ilhara Valley were very vibrant colors. Many had damage from being attacked during the Iconoclastic period. They were Byzantine Christian art preserved mainly by their remote locations and the dry climate.

Farmers use stones to show their fields borders.

During the Arab invasions of this area, Byzantine Christians added to cities carved down as many as 13 stories below ground. They lived totally underground since they included wells for water and ventilation shafts for fresh air. Once the invaders moved on, the people moved above ground and resumed their lives. These cities were not rediscovered until the 1960s.

Derinkuyu Underground city

It is believed that the earliest of these underground cities were started during the Hittite period. As people needed protection, they would retreat to them and continue to enlarge and expand them. Sometimes, people lived underground for 3 or 4 months at a time. The need for safety drove their creation and use.

Very narrow paths

This stone could seal off the tunnel from enemies.

A storage room

Goreme Open Air Museum

From the early 2 nd century, Christians had settled in this area to live a solitary Christian life. As more and more were attracted to the area, Christian communities started to form here. St. Basil formed small secluded settlements where Christians lived a simple life of prayer and work. Education was a main focus of this work. Goreme preserves many of the rock cut churches of this period and allows tourists to see them without damaging them.

A communal table for this monastery.

Time has weathered some of the protective areas so some rooms are now exposed to the elements.

The Dark Church

Christ with half of the Apostles.

The other half of the apostles.

These paintings are so vivid because they were totally protected from any sources of light. The damage to Christ's face is from the Iconoclast period.

More Apostles.

Iconoclastic decorations are very simple geometric shapes.

Simple images

Christ has damage to his face.

St. George slaying the dragon.

Constantine on the right and Helen on the left.