ZELVE VALLEYS AND OPEN AIR MUSUEM
Famous Zelve Open Air Museum is located on Göreme and Avanos road. This glorious natural beauty consists of three valuable valleys and numerous pointed and large fairy chimneys,incredible cave town, honeycombed structures, religious and secular chambers. Thus it is very important ancient settlement with its topography and amazing history.
IMMORTAL HISTORY
Between 9th and 13th century, it was a significant location for Christians and one of the main religion centres of them. They built various churches, chapels and monasteries such as Uzümlü Church, Balikli Church, Direkli Church and Geyikli Church by carving that natural formation. Also, the first religious seminars for priests were organized here.
Over the years, Muslims and Christians lived together in perfect harmony. After Ottomans, there was built by Muslims a mosque here. Those local people were respectful each other's religion. But in 1924 as a result of Population Exchange (a contract in between Greece and Turkey) Christians and Muslims had to leave this magnificent settlement.
Today, many open air festivals and concerts are organized in this dreamy museum. Additionally, there are found several souvenir shops, turkish traditional food restaurants selling famous Turkish gözleme and ayran.
IMMORTAL HISTORY
Between 9th and 13th century, it was a significant location for Christians and one of the main religion centres of them. They built various churches, chapels and monasteries such as Uzümlü Church, Balikli Church, Direkli Church and Geyikli Church by carving that natural formation. Also, the first religious seminars for priests were organized here.
Over the years, Muslims and Christians lived together in perfect harmony. After Ottomans, there was built by Muslims a mosque here. Those local people were respectful each other's religion. But in 1924 as a result of Population Exchange (a contract in between Greece and Turkey) Christians and Muslims had to leave this magnificent settlement.
Today, many open air festivals and concerts are organized in this dreamy museum. Additionally, there are found several souvenir shops, turkish traditional food restaurants selling famous Turkish gözleme and ayran.
CHURCH OF THE GRAPES (UZUMLU KILISE IN TURKISH)
One of the biggest churches in Cappadocia, historical city, Church of Grapes is situated on third valley of Zelve. It is highly precious building due to its including the frescoes based on the Iconoclasm Period such as icons of Jesus Christ, Virgin Mary and Great Angels Michael and Gabriel. Its name derived from there is found on the wall bunches of grapes motif which symbolises the holiness for Christians. Moreover, this breath-taking church is covered with vaults and two naves.
CHURCH WITH A DEER (GEYIKLI KILISE IN TURKISH)
This monastic complex contains impressive dining hall table and benches cut clean out of the rock, except for a faded icon of St Eustace reflecting 11th century. There is also displayed the main religious symbols of Christianity like the Cross, the deer and the fish. It is named after this fascinating deer figure.
That marvellous church consists of secret tunnels made by locals in order to protect themselves against the any attacks from enemies.
One of the biggest churches in Cappadocia, historical city, Church of Grapes is situated on third valley of Zelve. It is highly precious building due to its including the frescoes based on the Iconoclasm Period such as icons of Jesus Christ, Virgin Mary and Great Angels Michael and Gabriel. Its name derived from there is found on the wall bunches of grapes motif which symbolises the holiness for Christians. Moreover, this breath-taking church is covered with vaults and two naves.
CHURCH WITH A DEER (GEYIKLI KILISE IN TURKISH)
This monastic complex contains impressive dining hall table and benches cut clean out of the rock, except for a faded icon of St Eustace reflecting 11th century. There is also displayed the main religious symbols of Christianity like the Cross, the deer and the fish. It is named after this fascinating deer figure.
That marvellous church consists of secret tunnels made by locals in order to protect themselves against the any attacks from enemies.
Content Author : Ebrar OKÇU
Page Editor : Mustafa Gökhan BULUT
Published : 09 October 2014
Page Editor : Mustafa Gökhan BULUT
Published : 09 October 2014
