Zelve Valley
Zelve Valley and Open Air Museum is one of the places that absolutely must be seen in Cappadocia. We know it as the oldest and most heavily used settlement in Cappadocia. Made up of three valleys, the site contains many churches, monasteries and dwellings. Filled with rock-cut houses, Zelve Valley offers us a true visual feast.
It is the first place where Christianity began to spread. After that, this historic site carried on its life as a village. There is also a mosque dating from the period when the valley was a village, and directly opposite this mosque stands the monastery. Zelve Valley is the place with the greatest number of fairy chimneys in the Cappadocia region.
This valley, now an open ruin site, also has many tunnels, and however fascinating these tunnels may be, some sections of them have collapsed. As a result, certain parts of the valley have been closed to visitors. There are also dovecotes carved from end to end into the valley slope that are sure to catch your eye.
Concerts are also held in Zelve Valley. For events like these and for your stay, I recommend the MDC Hotel.
Zelve Open Air Museum
Zelve Valley and Open Air Museum is one of the most important areas of Cappadocia. It is home to many fairy chimneys with pointed tips and broad bodies. When you enter the caves in the museum, you will come across many frescoes on the walls, along with animal and human figures. The churches within the museum also add to the value of the place. Besides the churches, there is also a mosque inside the museum. The craftsmanship worked into the houses of the Zelve Open Air Museum is nothing short of a masterpiece. The features of the Balıklı (Fish) Church, the Üzümlü (Grape) Church and the Geyikli (Deer) Church are also beautiful enough to be well worth seeing.
The Balıklı and Üzümlü Churches
Belonging to a monastery, the Balıklı and Üzümlü Churches are located in Zelve’s third valley. Unfortunately, the entrance sections of the church have collapsed. The depiction at the entrance door of the Virgin Mary seated on a throne with the infant Jesus in her lap is particularly striking. There are also drawings of the archangels Michael and Gabriel carrying crosses. Research has established that the Balıklı and Üzümlü Churches date from the 10th century. In the frame within the apse of the church there is a depiction of Jesus.
The Geyikli Church
What stands out in this church are the relief crosses and depictions of deer on its walls. Dating from the Iconoclastic period, the Geyikli Church is one of the most important churches in the valley.
