Goreme is one of the oldest towns in Central Anatolia. Primarily an agricultural town, it later became an important center for the early Christians. The valley houses numerous rock hewn churches with frescos.

The churches enclosed by the open air museum contain some very well preserved frescos. The Aristocratic churches are covered with impressive Byzantine art. Refectories, kitchens, storage rooms etc. Can also be visited in the museum.

Uchisar Castle & Pigeon's Valley

One of the most imposing landmarks of this region is the hiltop fortress at Uchisar. Out of this natural rock formation a wide variety of rooms and dwellings were carved. Communities lived in this fortress in order to protect themselves from the enemy attack.

Nearby Pigeon’s valley contains numerous pigeon houses. In this valley pigeons were traines to deliver messages to towns throughout Central Cappadocia and were essential aid to communication. Also people used the droppings of the pigeons as a guano.

Underground Cities

There are more than one hundred underground cities in Cappadocia. Due to the soft nature of the volcanic rock, early civilizations careved entire cities underground and would retreat to this refuge in times of siege. A huge rock was rolled across the entrance to seal it from the outside.

The cities comprised living quarters, cooking areas, places for worship, storage areas and on the first floor below ground were the stables. Water, fresh air and sunlight were also provided.

Ihlara Valley

Ihlara Valley is a canyon, approximately 14 kms length and up to100 metres deep in places. The sheer walls of the canyon make it almost invisble until you are directly upon it.

Ihlara, in acient times, was the site of the first medical centre. Later, it became a refuge for the early Christians, and has many rock hewn churches. The frescos include scenes from the New Tastement, a tableu of the forty martyrs and the potraits of local religious leaders.

Monks Valley & Zelve

Monks Valley (Pasabag) contains imposing fairy chimneys, many of which have 3 or 4 caps. Hermitages were carved into these chimneys and used by the monks. St Simeon the Sytlite, founder of an order of “Pillar Saints” lived in isolation in this valley.

The ancient town of Zelve now an open air museum, was carved into a natural rock amphitheatre. There are three valleys, the first of which houses all of the official buildings. The second and third valleys are for dwellings.