Anatolian Civilizations and Historical Sites - TEDA

ANATOLIAN CIVILIZATIONS:10x19 antik kentler 8/1/11 10:52 AM Sayfa
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of incredible scenic beauty. The Çavuflin Church is located 2 km.
from Göreme and 4 from Avanos, 200 m. from the village. In the
ruined narthex of the church are portraits of the archangels Michael
and Gabriel. In the apex of the dome's interior is a fresco of the
Ascension and portraits of saints in medallions. Below them are
scenes from the life of Christ. In the arroyo just before Çavuflin are
two deep ravines called Güldere and K›z›l, in which there are 12
churches.
On the Nevflehir-Avanos highway there is a road branching off 3 km.
from Avanos that leads to Göreme. Here there is a creek that
extends north of the road as far as Uçhisar. The creek contains many
interesting rock formations. On the right, proceeding from Çavuflin
to Zelve, is an area called Cinnes, where there are many interesting
sights. After passing Akgedik is a place alongside the road called
Paflaba¤›, or Keflifller Vadisi (Monks Ravine). Zelve is a triple fork-like
structure that extends into a flattish hill called Aktepe. This was a
Christian settlement as early as the 8 th -9 th centuries. The largest
church is Üzümlü Kilise (Grape Church), which lacks any pictures
and there are another 15 smaller churches as well. 15 km. from
Avanos is the underground city called Özkonak. In Mustafapafla
there is a very interesting 19 th century church worth seeing.
There is a fascinating old mosque at Taflk›npafla whose pulpit is now
in the Ankara Ethnography Museum. The stone gateway of the old
school of theology, the Muslim theological school which was built as
part of the mosque, is also still standing. 30 km. from Ürgüp is a
ravine called So¤anl› in which there are numerous churches, the
most interesting of which are called Karabafl Kilisesi (Monks
Church), Canavar Kilisesi (Dragon Church), Kubbeli Kilisesi
(Domed Church) and Gök Kilisesi (Sky Church).
Another important ravine is called Ihlara and is located 14 km. off
the main highway between Aksaray and Nevflehir. In addition to
Özkonak, Cappadocia contains two other interesting underground
cities at Kaymakl› and Derinkuyu. The underground city at Kaymakl›
also has seven levels and contains storerooms, churches, wineries
and secret passageways.
The Pink Valley and scenes from Zelve.