Cappadocia Cave Dwellings

Cappadocia’s landscape, shaped by millions of years of volcanic erosion, hosts a complex network of ancient cave dwellings and rock-cut religious sites. This collection features the Göreme Open Air Museum’s concentrated collection of 10th-century Byzantine churches, the multi-level Zelve cave town, and Uçhisar Castle, the region's highest point. These sites showcase unique troglodyte architecture, from the vibrant frescoes of the Dark Church to the iconic mushroom-capped fairy chimneys of Paşabağları, reflecting centuries of monastic and secular life carved into soft tuff rock.

Göreme Open Air Museum

Göreme is a district of the Nevşehir Province in Turkey. After the eruption of Mount Erciyes about 2.6 million years ago, ash and lava…

Uçhısar Castle

This castle carved into rock is located at the highest point in Cappadocia. Walk through its rooms and admire the views.

Fairy Chimneys

This valley situated between the villages Goreme and Avanos boasts some of the most amazing fairy chimneys that can be found in the region.

Zelve Open-Air Museum

This cave town is where Christians and Muslims once lived together. It was abandoned in the 1950s, when life in the caves became too…

Devrent Valley

This valley boasts small fairy chimneys that form a lunar landscape. In addition to that, there are rocks that are shaped like animals.

Church of the Buckle

The largest church in the Göreme Open Air Museum, featuring a 10th-century Old Church and a larger New Church. It is decorated with extensive Byzantine frescoes depicting the life of Christ and scenes from the life of Saint Basil.

Dark Church

An 11th-century monastic church known for its exceptionally well-preserved frescoes. The lack of natural light through its small windows prevented the colors from fading, maintaining vivid depictions of New Testament scenes and the Pantocrator.

Apple Church

Built around 1050, this cross-in-square church features four columns and a central dome. Its interior is decorated with 11th-century frescoes of the Last Supper and the Nativity set against a distinct blue background.

El Nazar Church

One of the rock-cut churches resembling a cone. It's decorated with Byzantine frescoes.

Church of Saint Barbara

This 11th-century cave church is distinguished by its red ochre geometric patterns and symbolic drawings. It also contains frescoes of Saint George and Saint Theodore slaying a dragon, alongside a depiction of Saint Barbara.

Church with Sandals

Named for two footprints located beneath a fresco of the Ascension, this rock-cut church dates to the late 12th century. It features a cross-vaulted ceiling and well-preserved depictions of the four Evangelists.

Katpatuka Çamur Mağarası

A therapeutic mud bath and spa facility located within a natural cave system. It offers mud treatments and mineral water pools in a traditional subterranean environment.