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GOREME
The monastic complex of rock churches and chapels covered with frescoes is an open air museum and most known site of Central Anatolia. St. Basil from Kayseri, established a cloister and had missionaries educated in order to disseminate the religion.
The best churches of Goreme are Elmali (Apple Church), St. Barbara, Yilanli (Snake Church), Karanlik (Dark Church), Carikli (Sandal Church), Tokali (Church with a Shield).
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ZELVE
This valley is one of the most picturesque corners of Cappadocia. Because of the dilapidated condition of the rocks, a new Zelve had to be set up nearby in 1952. The old Zelve village was carved in a narrow valley in the steep mountains from rocks.
Once, the village served as a hiding place and was also an important church and cloister center. The most important churches in this region are Uzumlu and Geyikli. This is one of the best venues in Cappadocia for staging special events, like concerts, recitals, sound and light shows.
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CAVUSIN
On the right of the Goreme - Avanos road, lies Cavusin Village. It was
re-established after a collapse of a slope. In the old Cavusin Village,
which is partly buried, stands the Church of St. Baptist, which is the oldest one of the region, dating from the 8th Century.
The frescoes and iron staircase can still be easily noticed by a look from the road. It consists of a nave with a barrel - vault. The themes of its frescoes were taken from the New Testament.
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AVANOS
Avanos is situated along both sides of Kizilirmak River which is the longest river in Turkey. Formerly, this small town was called Vanessa
and it is famous by its pottery made from the local red clay.
The most important industries apart from pottery arehand-knotted carpets and viniculture.
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ÜRGÜP
Ürgup lies at the foot of steep rocks, which were once thoroughly inundated by people making their homes in them. The highest homes
were later deserted and the others now serve as sheds.
According to the 10th century documents, Ürgup was the bishops residence of the middle Ages. The route Ürgup - Ortahisar is a picturesque corner with in - numerable rock - pyramids partly grouped together and partly with tuff caps.
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ORTAHISAR
This place also lies at the foot of a rock - block slope with a lot of
rock - hollows.
The first inhabitants of the village probably lived in these hollows, which are used as storerooms nowadays. In the area near Cambazli Church, there is a cross - domed chapel and Harim Church, which is now used
as a shed for equipment.
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UCHISAR
This place resembles a castle from a distance. The village lies at the
foot of the rock - blocks, which are perforated in the usual manner.
From the top there is a magnificent panorama of the plateau.
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NEVSEHIR
Nevsehir was formed on the western end of the famous tuff landscape
of Cappadocia. The old name of this central Anatolian city was Nissa
and it had a population of 150.000.
It lies on the slopes of a hill, on whose summit rise the citadel of the Seljucks. Kursunlu Mosque which was built in 1726 by Grand Vizier
Damat Ibrahim Pacha, the citadel of the Seljuk's and Kaya Mosques
are all worth seeing.
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DERINKUYU UNDERGROUND CITY
Derinkuyu is the second subterranean city and lies 10 km.s to the south of Kaymakli. It was discovered by chance in 1968.
Pre - Christians would have settled here, perhaps the Hittites. Up until the present. Eight layers have been excavated.
The city is 55 m. deep and has a surface area of 2500 sq.m.
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KAYMAKLI UNDERGROUND CITY
The subterranean city Kaymaklı is situated 20 km.s south of Nevsehir. Like the other subterranean cities this city was a place of refuge for Christians before the Arab invasion.
The airs supply was drawn through ventilating chimneys. In this city
of eight levels, each level is connected to each other by narrow corridors. Subdividing the layers, the millstones-round stone blocks
with a diameter of 1-1,5 m. were used. The length of the passages totaled approximately 30 km.s This underground city was said to be
used a shelter for 15.000 people.
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