In the distance is Uçhisar Castle which we'll visit later this morning.
I've seen the Göreme Valley described as "other-worldly" but no description really prepares you.
These small holes were apparently to house tame birds.
Göksel was keen to get here early to avoid the
crowds so unfortunately some of the shadows are rather harsh. The UNESCO
Göreme Open-Air Museum resembles a vast monastic complex composed of 30+
refectory monasteries placed side-by-side, each with its own fantastic church
most of them belonging to the 9th-11th centuries. It contains the
finest of the rock-cut churches, with beautiful frescoes whose
colours still retain all their original freshness and also presents unique
examples of rock hewn architecture and fresco technique. An information
board at the entrance had a display showing the most commonly found paintings
but as photography was forbidden it was hard to recall which ones we'd seen.
This is the known as "The Nunnery" a 6-7 storey rock mass; dining hall, kitchen and some rooms on the first floor, together with the ruined chapel on the second level. There is a church on the third storey, which can be reached through a tunnel. The different levels of the monastery are connected by tunnels and "millstone doors" like those found in the underground cities which were used to close off these tunnels in times of danger.
The 11th century Karanlık Kilise (or Dark Church) was originally part of a larger monastery and apparently has some beautiful Byzantine paintings. Entry was not included in our ticket and as photography was prohibited (as it was in all the churches here) we decided not to go in.
Using my long lens I was able to get a few close up images.
So a picture off the internet and it looks pretty impressive so maybe we should have gone in; but as Ian said the lights are not usually on so we probably wouldn't have seen much..
Looking down.
The next picture was taken in Snake Church, I got fed up with everyone else taking photos and so I did too. The chap on the white horse is St George, patron saint of Cappadocia and England.
I have no idea why this love seat is set up here, but why not!
