El Nazar Church, Saklı Church, Tokalı Church

CULTUREL DETAILS OF NEVŞEHİR

El Nazar Church

The structure, whose fresco paintings portray miracles from the chi of Jesus and the saints, is dated to the twelfth century.  The vaults church on the T-plan are decorated with medallions.

Saklı Church

Because the entrance to the church, which was discovered in 1957, ha blocked by piles of earth, the frescoes were in good condition. It is d the mid-eleventh century to the twelfth century.  The scenes depict nailing to the Cross, the death of the Virgin Mary, the Transfigurati and St. John the Baptist in the desert are of interest. The frescoes were painted directly on the wall as ground and the color red was used generousl,

Tokalı Church

The structure, which comprises four main spatial units, is the largest of Göreme valley.  Passing from the single nave Eski church witY spherical vault, one enters Yeni church, built on a rectangular plan. Hewn out of rock, the space covered by a hemispherical vault is divided by into three sections. The structure, which was embellished with pain different times, contains the most interesting specimens of the art of fresco Some date from after the iconoclastic period; some, however, be primitive Christian art. The frescoes dated to the early tenth century and in which red and green are the dominant colors offer scenes from he New Testament and contribute an air of richness to the Eski church. Another quality that distinguishes this church from the others is the frescoes in the Yeni church section, whose dominant color is indigo blue.  The paintings which portray the life of Jesus in a detailed manner are dated to the late tenth to the thirteenth centuries.

Karanlık Church, Çarıklı Church, Kuşluk Church, Kuşluk Church

CULTUREL DETAILS OF NEVŞEHİR

Karanlık Church

It is one of the structures on the cruciform plan with four freestanding supports, whose frescoes have been preserved from damage. The darkness in the structure, which has recently been given over to repairs (the light source is a small window in the narthex), gave the church its name and contributed to the fact that the frescoes have survived without damage. Dated to the mid-eleventh century or the early thirteenth century, the frescoes are unlike those of the others which contain scenes from the New Testament rather these follow a historical sequence.

Çarıklı Church

The first section of the church, which is on a closed cruciform plan with two piers and a transverse vault, has been destroyed. The frescoes dated to the eleventh century, of portions of the New Testament and the Old Testament are noteworthy.The name of the church derives from the footprint mark below the fresco depicting the ascension of Jesus that resenbles a raw hide sandal.

Kuşluk Church

Kuşluk church, one of the most beautiful churches in the valley of Göreme stands on the slope overlooking the entrance to Kılıçlar valley. The church which is known as the Church of the Virgin Mary is reached by a narrow pass on a path that leads to the valley. The frescoes which use very vivid collors and most of which have been written over, are dated to the first half of the eleventh century. Scenes from the New Testament enliven the apses.

Kılıçlar Church

The church, which is found in Kılıçlar valley about 6-700 meters from Göreme, valley is on a cruciform plan, with a dome resting on four free standing pillars and transverse vaulted.The interior-whose foresectio has colapsed-is decorated with with frescoes in lively colors and  dated to the late ninth-early tenth century.

Yamanlı Church

CULTUREL DETAILS OF NEVŞEHİR

Yamanlı Church

In the square planarthex, the wall surfaces are decorated in patterns of diamond shaped, star medallion and crosses.  In the north portion of the apse is a crown formed of vegetal elements and triangles within which and  Latin cross is placed; also in the apse on the north side in the middle is a very ornate Maltese cross; on the east side of the nave is a crown decorated with symbolic pearls, vegetal motifs and zigzags, which encloses a Maltese cross. On the north side of the nave on a pilaster is a Greek cross, immedi ately next to which is a Latin cross. These elements of decoration ar diffu cult to explain and understand, but are associated with early Byzantine and pre-Byzantine culture. The decorative style employed here is reminisc ent of Eastern Roman mosaic and wall decoration. It represents the olde stand most interesting and, at the same time, one of the most difficult churched to interpret.  The Yamanlı church, which is decorated by Latin Greek end Maltese crosses, bears traces of the early Christian culture in Cappadocia. In this connection, it is impossible not to recall the letter of Gregoir of Nnissa dated 371-79 regarding Avanos, which states that it is a “wondrous house of prayer-built in memory of the martyrs-and in an uncompleted stage of construction, which  stands  on the left-hand  side  as  one  approach Vanonte.” In fact, the ceiling of Yamanlı church is not entirely finished. The structure of the church exhibits a pre-Byzantine style of the Syrian type. Despite its state of incompleteness, one may date this edifice to tr fourth-sixth centuries.

El Nazar Church, Saklı Church, Tokalı Church

CULTUREL DETAILS OF NEVŞEHİR

El Nazar Church

The structure, whose fresco paintings portray miracles from the chi of Jesus and the saints, is dated to the twelfth century.  The vaults church on the T-plan are decorated with medallions.

Saklı Church

Because the entrance to the church, which was discovered in 1957, ha blocked by piles of earth, the frescoes were in good condition. It is d the mid-eleventh century to the twelfth century.  The scenes depict nailing to the Cross, the death of the Virgin Mary, the Transfigurati and St. John the Baptist in the desert are of interest. The frescoes were painted directly on the wall as ground and the color red was used generousl,

Tokalı Church

The structure, which comprises four main spatial units, is the largest of Göreme valley.  Passing from the single nave Eski church witY spherical vault, one enters Yeni church, built on a rectangular plan. Hewn out of rock, the space covered by a hemispherical vault is divided by into three sections. The structure, which was embellished with pain different times, contains the most interesting specimens of the art of fresco Some date from after the iconoclastic period; some, however, be primitive Christian art. The frescoes dated to the early tenth century and in which red and green are the dominant colors offer scenes from he New Testament and contribute an air of richness to the Eski church. Another quality that distinguishes this church from the others is the frescoes in the Yeni church section, whose dominant color is indigo blue.  The paintings which portray the life of Jesus in a detailed manner are dated to the late tenth to the thirteenth centuries.

Karanlık Church, Çarıklı Church, Kuşluk Church, Kuşluk Church

CULTUREL DETAILS OF NEVŞEHİR

Karanlık Church

It is one of the structures on the cruciform plan with four freestanding supports, whose frescoes have been preserved from damage. The darkness in the structure, which has recently been given over to repairs (the light source is a small window in the narthex), gave the church its name and contributed to the fact that the frescoes have survived without damage. Dated to the mid-eleventh century or the early thirteenth century, the frescoes are unlike those of the others which contain scenes from the New Testament rather these follow a historical sequence.

Çarıklı Church

The first section of the church, which is on a closed cruciform plan with two piers and a transverse vault, has been destroyed. The frescoes dated to the eleventh century, of portions of the New Testament and the Old Testament are noteworthy.The name of the church derives from the footprint mark below the fresco depicting the ascension of Jesus that resenbles a raw hide sandal.

Kuşluk Church

Kuşluk church, one of the most beautiful churches in the valley of Göreme stands on the slope overlooking the entrance to Kılıçlar valley. The church which is known as the Church of the Virgin Mary is reached by a narrow pass on a path that leads to the valley. The frescoes which use very vivid collors and most of which have been written over, are dated to the first half of the eleventh century. Scenes from the New Testament enliven the apses.

Kılıçlar Church

The church, which is found in Kılıçlar valley about 6-700 meters from Göreme, valley is on a cruciform plan, with a dome resting on four free standing pillars and transverse vaulted.The interior-whose foresectio has colapsed-is decorated with with frescoes in lively colors and  dated to the late ninth-early tenth century.

Yamanlı Church

In the square planarthex, the wall surfaces are decorated in patterns of diamond shaped, star medallion and crosses.  In the north portion of the apse is a crown formed of vegetal elements and triangles within which and  Latin cross is placed; also in the apse on the north side in the middle is a very ornate Maltese cross; on the east side of the nave is a crown decorated with symbolic pearls, vegetal motifs and zigzags, which encloses a Maltese cross. On the north side of the nave on a pilaster is a Greek cross, immedi ately next to which is a Latin cross. These elements of decoration ar diffu cult to explain and understand, but are associated with early Byzantine and pre-Byzantine culture. The decorative style employed here is reminisc ent of Eastern Roman mosaic and wall decoration. It represents the olde stand most interesting and, at the same time, one of the most difficult churched to interpret.  The Yamanlı church, which is decorated by Latin Greek end Maltese crosses, bears traces of the early Christian culture in Cappadocia. In this connection, it is impossible not to recall the letter of Gregoir of Nnissa dated 371-79 regarding Avanos, which states that it is a “wondrous house of prayer-built in memory of the martyrs-and in an uncompleted stage of construction, which  stands  on the left-hand  side  as  one  approach Vanonte.” In fact, the ceiling of Yamanlı church is not entirely finished. The structure of the church exhibits a pre-Byzantine style of the Syrian type. Despite its state of incompleteness, one may date this edifice to tr fourth-sixth centuries.

Elmalı Church, Barbara Church, Yılanlı Church

CULTUREL DETAILS OF NEVŞEHİR

Elmalı Church

It is a structure with a central dome, transverse vault, cruciform plan and four piers. The frescoes are dated to the eleventh and twelfth centuries. The apple orchard that stands before the main entrance, which earlier collapsed has given this structure its name. In the frescoes, scenes from Jesus’ life and the Old Testament are depicted. From beneath the frescoes which are peel ing away in places can be seen  simple pictures in red from the iconoclastic period.

Barbara Church

The church which takes its name from the depiction of St.Barbara verse vaulted, cruciform plan and two pillars is locatec behind Elmalı church and dated to the first half of the eleventh century ıt has symbolic figures and designs in red paint on the walls and in some of the frescoes jesus Christ, St. George and St. Theodore appear. Another notable aspect of the church are the charming motifs of fish, rooster and crosse, which are characteristic of the iconoclastic period and which are done in red ocher.

Yılanlı Church

Its frescoes which were applied directly to the wall belong to the eleventhh century. The structure which has been divided into two sections by straight lines in red ocher to imitate a fill structure; the first section is hemispherical vaulted and the second has a flat ceiling. To the left of the entrance is a cross on either side of which is the Emperor Constantie and Empress Helena next to which is St. George and St. Theodore in a portrayal of the scene where a snake is killed. On the opposite wall is Jesus holding a book; another fresco depicts Onophrios and Basileios.

Church Of St. John The Baptist

Viewed as a whole the only structure which is clearly a church from the structural perspective and which is thought to be the oldest church (it ection is completely collapsed) is the Church of St. John the Baptist Beyond the entrance, which is carved öut of rock, is a basilica of three naves. This basilica which was constructed in the fifth century was dedicated tost John the Baptist. “Very few of the frescoes of the basilica which played such an important role in the history of the area have survived.Most are very poer state. One fresco that depicts an angel is the one in the bestdition. Besides these religious edifices there is a series of monasteries situated in two valleys which are south of Çavuşin. The first of these is known by the name of Güllü Dere which is one and a half kilometers of Çavuşin Here there are five churches.  Four have a single nave and the churc call Ayvalı church dedicated to St. John has two naves. Its frescoes date to a time prior to the iconoclastic period and also the archaic period. The more recent of these paintings are dated to 913-20.  The richest reliefs of the Göreme region are found here.”

Elmalı Church, Barbara Church, Yılanlı Church

CULTUREL DETAILS OF NEVŞEHİR

Elmalı Church

It is a structure with a central dome, transverse vault, cruciform plan and four piers. The frescoes are dated to the eleventh and twelfth centuries. The apple orchard that stands before the main entrance, which earlier collapsed has given this structure its name. In the frescoes, scenes from Jesus’ life and the Old Testament are depicted. From beneath the frescoes which are peel ing away in places can be seen  simple pictures in red from the iconoclastic period.

Barbara Church

The church which takes its name from the depiction of St.Barbara verse vaulted, cruciform plan and two pillars is locatec behind Elmalı church and dated to the first half of the eleventh century ıt has symbolic figures and designs in red paint on the walls and in some of the frescoes jesus Christ, St. George and St. Theodore appear. Another notable aspect of the church are the charming motifs of fish, rooster and crosse, which are characteristic of the iconoclastic period and which are done in red ocher.

Yılanlı Church

Its frescoes which were applied directly to the wall belong to the eleventhh century. The structure which has been divided into two sections by straight lines in red ocher to imitate a fill structure; the first section is hemispherical vaulted and the second has a flat ceiling. To the left of the entrance is a cross on either side of which is the Emperor Constantie and Empress Helena next to which is St. George and St. Theodore in a portrayal of the scene where a snake is killed. On the opposite wall is Jesus holding a book; another fresco depicts Onophrios and Basileios.

Church Of St. John The Baptist

CULTUREL DETAILS OF NEVŞEHİR

Church Of St. John The Baptist

Viewed as a whole the only structure which is clearly a church from the structural perspective and which is thought to be the oldest church (it ection is completely collapsed) is the Church of St. John the Baptist Beyond the entrance, which is carved öut of rock, is a basilica of three naves. This basilica which was constructed in the fifth century was dedicated tost John the Baptist. “Very few of the frescoes of the basilica which played such an important role in the history of the area have survived.Most are very poer state. One fresco that depicts an angel is the one in the bestdition. Besides these religious edifices there is a series of monasteries situated in two valleys which are south of Çavuşin. The first of these is known by the name of Güllü Dere which is one and a half kilometers of Çavuşin Here there are five churches.  Four have a single nave and the churc call Ayvalı church dedicated to St. John has two naves. Its frescoes date to a time prior to the iconoclastic period and also the archaic period. The more recent of these paintings are dated to 913-20.  The richest reliefs of the Göreme region are found here.” (83)