IhlaraValley

that's unique landscapes

IhlaraValley, Hasandağı'volk instantly ejected lava-shaped valley is CemaL resulting stream erosion. Melendiz millions at the end of the one-year period, 14 kilometers long and 110 meters high in places, reaching the canyon has made this valley looking occur. In its current form the dawn of the canyon who take to provide Melendiz way through these cracks, which means river of Cappadocia "Potamus Kapadukus" was called.

14 km long valley starts at Ihlara and ends at Selime. The height of the valley in places 100 -150 m. Numerous shelters carved into the rocks along the valley, there are tombs and churches. Decorations in the church in the valley Ihlara continued until the end of the 13th century from the 6th century.

Some shelters and churches are connected by tunnels as well as in underground cities.

Churches

Churches along the valley can be divided into two groups:

The churches of Cappadocia near Ihlara photos away from the art, with oriental influences.

Located near Belisırma are decorated with Byzantine style murals.

The number of known inscriptions from the Byzantine Period in Ihlara is quite low.

Belisırma village 500 m away from the St. George (Kırkdamalt a) Seljuk Sultan in the Church II. Masood (1282 -1305) and Bizansimparator II. Andronikos has an inscription including the names written on the frescoes of the 13th century.

Keep this in the hands of the Seljuk inscription proves the existence of a permissive rule. History of the church who are determined:

· Pole Church (976-1025)

· Pürenli Seki Church belongs to between the 12th and beginning of the 10th century.

· Saint Georges (1283-1295) belongs to the year.

· Dark Castle Church dates back to the 10th-11th century.

And in the middle of the 10th century Byzantine Taurus of Cilicia has Ihr by taking back the building of new churches.

· Bahaeddin Samanlığı Church

· Sümbüllü Church

· Pole Church

Byzantine art in the early 11th century to the exemplary:

· Ala Church

· Bell Church (Akhisar)

· Karagedik Church

Some Byzantine churches were added to the old-type pictures.

This behavior in the 11th century and ends with the arrival of the Seljuk Turks.

But religious life continues in the region. Regions church life ends with the exchange of populations in 1924.

Religious life

Ihlara valley has become a suitable place of worship for retreats and monks and priests because of the geomorphological characteristics.

Istanbul, has been an important religious center in the first years of Christianity.

As the founder of the sect from Kayseri and Nazianzos'l Bacillus Gregory 4th century. They also grow here.

Egypt and Syria have identified these systems separate rules of monastic life.

Thus was born Greek and Slavic system.

Despite Egypt and Syria cut ties with the world Bacillus priests and monks Gregory did not cut its ties with the world. The location of this new approach was Belisırmai.

Gregory, trinity of Jesus bringing a new interpretation of the ideas suggested saving the opinions Iznik force meeting to discuss the deity. So it was a pioneer in the history of Christian saints. It grows in rocky Gregorius (Belisırma, Ihlara (Gelveri)) monastery in the spirit, carved into the rock churches became the community.

Against Arab raids, put the castle in defense against Hasandağı of these churches continued their active worship center status.