Cappadocia 24

Güzelyurt Gelveri Turkey

2008-01-16T09:53:00.000-08:00

Guzelyurt (Gelveri) Turkey

The first definite findings about the life in Gelveri began with Christianity. But obsidion and pieces of pots and pans found at this location have proved that there was life at this place in the Paleolithic Age. Afterwards, Güzelyurt was a country for the Asur Trade Colonies, the Hittites, the Meds, the Perisans, the Cappadocia Kingdom, the Roman Empire, the Byzantines, the Seljuks and the Ottomans.

The importance of Güzelyurt in history began with Christianity, with the father and the son Gregorios. The ideas that were put forward by Saint Gregorios Teologos (the son) were the cause of a new religious opinion af ter hundreds of years. The letters he wrote were the first of sung together were the first of their kind in church music history.

Ther religious system during the last days of the Ottoman Empire provided a base for such a strong economic system, that special permission was granted to the church to print money. The 4.5 kilometer long Monastery valley has in the past housed a monastery, many churches and thousands of people. it is said that the first monastery life began here in the third and fourth centuries.

It can be said that today's Güzelyurt within the Cappadocia regano with its undergorund cities, buildings carved in rock, traditional Byzantine-style buildings, churches, the Manastır valley and "Fairy chimneys" carry all the characteristics of Cappadocia, and is a place that must be seen from the historical and touristic point of view.

Selime Yaprakhisar Turkey Churches

2008-01-15T10:00:00.000-08:00

Churches Of Selime and Yaprakhisar

Warehouse Church, Ambar Oda Kilisesi

The parts of large earthware jars show that this place was used as a storehouse. There are tree and goat figures as rifles on the walls.

Dervis Akin Church, Derviş Akın Kilisesi

It was built in the late 10th century and early 11th century. On the north wall Koimesis (Dormition of Virgin Mary); on southeast Michael,; on northeast denetrios; on southwest Georgios can be seen. In the grave chamber, the picture of Virgin mary with Christ in her arms and a woman founder is realized. The grave chamber is carved in a rocky block in conic shape.

Kale Monastery Church, Kale Manastırı Kilisesi

It was built in the 8th-9th or 10th centuries and the frescoes were made in the 10th and 11 th centuries. It is one of the biggest buildings in Cappadocia. It is placed around two large Courtyards. There is a grave chamber on the east of the main courtyard and separate divisions with two stories on the southeast take place around two big courtyards.

There is a grave room on the east of the main courtyard. There is a long hall on the north and the division ornamented with rifle cross on the flat ceiling. And on the west, there is the division probably used as the meeting room. There are cellar, store and kitchen around the courtyard. Also, there is one grave room. It has a special architectural structure. In the division west of the church, there is an inscription in verse form.

The Ascension, Seven Bishops, the Annunciation, the Nativity, the Adoration of the Magi, the Massacre of the Innocents, the Flight int o Egypt, Flight of Elizabeth, the Appointment of John the Baptist, the Baptism, the first seven steps of Mary, the Presentation of Virgin Mary in the temple, the Nutrition of Mary by an Angel, Koimesis and some unknown and uninterpreted scenes and figures are represented.

Doğan Yuvası Kilisesi, Kare Kilise, Koyunağıl Kilisesi, Panagiia Theotokos Kilise, Alaygediği Kilisesi, Davullu Kilise, Çohum Kilisesi, Yazılı Kilise in which it is written "June 25 1024 Theodul the Servant of the God, died. For the future, I chose a grave for myself among the Fathers", "Christ's light is our light" are the places to visit. There are some pictures and motifs by which religious events are described can be seen.

Churches Monasteries Of İhlara Valley

2008-01-15T09:46:00.000-08:00

Churches And Monasteries Of Ihlara Valley

Acikel Aga Church (Açıkel Ağa Baıtn Kilisesi)

The frescoes of the building belong to the 9th and 10th centuries. It has one altar and one apse.

Christ between two Angels was pictured inside the dome of the apse; Zozimos, Nicolaos, Theodoros, Georgios on the lower band; John the Baptist, and the four Bibles on the inner panel of the victory vault; Saints and Crosses, the Prophets, the Annunciation, the Presentations in the Temple, the Baptism, the Crucifixion, Anastasis, Appearing of Christ to the two Virgins were all painted within panels on the walls.

Daniel, Pantanassa - Church Under The Tree, Ağaç Altı Kilisesi

This building is ruined to a great extent today. You enter through the main apse which is destroyed now. The original entrance is on the north. The frescoes belong to the 9th and 11th centuries.

The Annunciation, the Nativity, the Adoratian of the Magi, the Flight into Egypt, the Baptism, the Sanctification of Virgin Mary, Daniel among the lions were pictured on the walls and the Ascension, the Apostles and the Prophets were depicted inside the dome.

The Mottled Church, Ala Manastırı Kilisesi

The walls and frescoes are partly destroyed. And the scenes which are preserved are under a soot layer. In this church again, the Visitation, the Flight into Egypt, the Entry into Jerusalem, the Last Supper, three Jewish Young Men, the Sanctification of Virgin Mary, Zosimus' giving his coat to St. Mary the Egyptian, are pictured.

Honeyed Church - Ballı Kilise

it was built in the late 10th century. The scene of the Annunciation and the statement "Be happy Archangel Gabriel, you are the first herald of the God and you brought this greeting to Mary. I am the one who painted the happy connection of the Annunciation you brought, Poor Leontios, for the salvation of my soul. gives a special charasteristic to the church. On the southern apse of the church, these exist the pictures of virgin Mary and Christ as an infant, Archangel Gabriel, Saint Parasteva and Athanogenes, the Bishop.

Bizirana Church (Bezirhan Kilisesi)

The church having a single altar and apse, has got a flat ceiling. On the apse dome, the Holy Table and the two angels, six bishops near the table, Basileios, Gregorios Nazanians, Ioannes Chrysostomos Athannasios and Nikolas; on the ceiling, the Baptism and the Metamorphosis; over the entrance door the three Jewish men, Prothesis, Deisis, Christ Emmanuel and a Diachon; on the north wall, Demetrios, Georgios, Euthymios, Ioannes, Prodromes, Nikolas; on the south wall, Andronikos, Penteleimana were pictured.

Pillared Church (Direkli Manastırı Kilisesi)

The frescoes of this church were made between the years 976-1025 during which Emperor Basileios II and Constantine VIII were ruling the region. This was written as a statement on the wall of the church. On the main apse dome; the two angels and Petrus and Paulus, Mary Orans, four Bishops on two sides; on the dome of the northern side apse, Mary and Christ as infant, Zacchariah near them, Joachim and two angels; within the medallions (the cireles) the Prophets and the Saints were pictured.

Church Of The Crooked Rock, Eğri Taş Kilisesi

The originally wooden ground of the rock has become sunk. As a resu1t of this, the graves under the church came to light. On the walls of the down floor, niches of the graves are remarkably interesting. They were thought of being built in the 9th ar 11th centuries. On an inscription on the eastern wall, it is written that the church was dedicated to Virgin Mary. The same statement was written again on an epitaph on the eastern wall: "Grave of the hermit Petrus, Father of Theotokos Church." In these churches; on the apse dome, two angels and Christ in between, and Mary among six Bishops; a big cross in the middle of the vau1t; on the upper band in the south-half, the Annunciation, the Visitation, the Trial by Water; on the middle band, the Nativity, the Bathing of Child Christ, and three shepherds were represented. Moreover, the dream of Joseph, the Flight into Egypt, Herod's Massacre of the Innocents; on the south wall of the church, the Baptism, the Entry into Jerusalem; on the upper band Mary sitting on a throne among the angels and Child Christ; furthermore, the denial of Petrus, the Washing of the Apostles' Feet, Praying at Zeytin Dağı (Mount of Olives), the Women at the Tomb, three Jewish young men on the southern room, Daniel among the lions were depicted as color paintings.

The Black Old Leg Church (Eski Bacak Kara Bacak Kilisesi

It was built in the 10th-11th centuries and descriptions of Virgin Mary and Christ take place.

Kara Gedik Church (H. Hermoiaos)

An important part of the church was destroyed because of erosion. it was built in the 10th and 11th centuries. No doubt that many pictures were lost. The paintings we have now represent the murder of Zacchariah in Prothesis, the Flight of Elizabeth, the Presentation of the head of John the Baptist by Salome, and the martyrdom of St. Georgios. some parts representing Christ, Migration from Egypt and the portraits of some saint were lost

Karagedik Church (Kara Gedik Kilisesi)

It was built in the 10th-11th centuries and descriptions of Constantine, Helena and Holy Soldier take place.

Dark Castle Monastery Church, Karanlık Kilisesi

It was probably built in the 9th-10th centuries or in the middle of the 11th century. The monastery was carved into a high rocky black. it has the view of the valley on the walls, there are niches like horseshoe vaults. The ceiling of the big hall is ornamented with reliefs in shape of rhombus or cross. The grave room in the northeast side is covered by a dome built on a flat ceiling. On the north and south arms are the graves.

Church Of THe Forty Roofs, Kırk Dam Altı Kilisesi

Its plan is irregular hexagonic and ceiling is flat. it was destroyed to a great extent. There are graves on the niches on the northwest and "Amirarzes" on the inscription were decorated in 1283-1295 during when Andronihos II was the Emperor, by Tamar, wife of Basileos. The characteristic of the church is the inscription. "I, the humble Tamar, am dedicating the vineyard on the slope of the hill and the vineyard I bought from Siara Phatenes. Please purify my soul from sins so that like a soul of amonk.. . Your servant..." is a part of the statements on the inscription. And the walls are decorated with the pictures of Georgios Sergios Bakhas, Heontios, Bishop Athenogenes, Blasios, Nikholaos, the Death of Virgin Mary (Koimesis), the Nativity.

Church With The Terraces, Pürenli Seki Kilisesi

It was built between the early 10th century and 12th century. There are graves on the nartex on the west of the north altar. The paintings represent the forty Martyrs, The Last Judgment, Augurgy of the Prophets, Virgin mary, the Annunciation, the Visitation, the Tiral by Water, Journey to Berthelem, the Baptism, The Entry into Jerusalem, the Last Supper, the Flight into Egypt, the women at the Tomb, the Anastasis (Descent into Limbo), the Crucifixion, the Entombment, the Ascension, Daniel among the lions and Saints.

Hyacinth Church, Sümbüllü Manastır Kilisesi

This monastery has two stories and been placed in an enormous rocky block by carving. it was built in the 11th and 12th centuries. There are pictures of Michael and Archangel Gabriel and Virgin Mary in between, Blecherniostissa, the Annunciation, Koimesis (the death of Virgin Mary), the Presentation in the Temple, on the main dome Pontocrator; and the monks and saints on the southem wall.

Church Of The Serpents, Yılanlı Kilisesi

It was built in the 9th-11th or 12th centuries. There is across relief on the ceiling of the church. The Last Judgment, the Entry into Jerusalem, Christ and the Angels near him, Joachim, Zacchariah, Elizabeth the Egyptian, the Annunciation, the Visitation, Ionnes Prodromos, Ionnes Chrysostomos, Solomon, Eljah, David, Enoch, Virgin Mary sitting on the Throne and Christ near her, the Apostles-Simeon Thomas and John, Lukas, Paulus, petrus, Matta, Markus, Bartolomeus, Jacob, Philippus, Basileios, Gergois were depicted on the walls.

İhlara Turkey İhlara Valley

2008-01-15T04:57:00.000-08:00

Ihlara Turkey, Ihlara Valley

From Derinkuyu, Ihlara Valley is 40 km. in Ankara direction in Melendiz Valley.
Together with its natural beauty, hundreds of churches are the outstanding features of Ihlara Valley. A young girl's corpse is still being exhibited in Nevşehir museum.

The frescoes in the churches which have been discovered since today are still in their original form and color. The angels, Virgin Mary, important characters of Christianity have been pictured in paintings. Pictures of serpents are also outstanding in Yılanlı Kilise (Church of the Serpents).

After Christianity became established in Cappadocia region, Ihlara Valley became a very suitable seclusion and worship place for monks and priests. And during the war, it was used for hiding and defense. Many tabernacles and settlings, a lot of which have not yet been discovered, are evidences for that.

A lot of monks lived in Ihlara Region. The names of Father Arsenios in Kuzey Ambar Kilisesi (The Church of the North Warehouse), Father Petros in Eğri Taşı Kilisesi (The Church of the Crooked Rock), Father Loannes, the director of the monastery in the Grave Chapel of Yılanh Kilise (Presbyteros), Father Loannes in Lower Kaya Altı, and Father Theophylastas in Alay Gediği show that this region was an impartant center of Christianity in those ages. The women kneeled down in front of Virgin Mary in the Grave Room of Derviş Akın Church in Selime show that women played an impartant role in the religious and social life of the region.

Eski Gumus Turkey Cappadocia Derinkuyu

2008-01-15T04:52:00.000-08:00

Eski Gumus (Eski Gümüş)

Eski Gümüş monastery is 16 km. north of Niğde, and 45 km. south of Derinkuyu. The pillars of the churches built in the 10th or 11th centuries in Byzantine period are still standing and the colors and motifs are still lively. The ceiling and the walls of the church are painted with pictures depicting the monks representing Christianity, Virgin Mary and Christ in her arms. Colors and paintings are mostly in their original form. The ruins of an underground city around Eski Gümüş monastery show that people were living there as a community.

Derinkuyu Turkey Nevsehir Underground

2008-01-15T04:44:00.000-08:00

Derinkuyu, Nevsehir Derinkuyu Turkey

Derinkuyu underground city is 30 km. to Nevşehir and 9 km. south of Kaymaklı. It has touristic value with its wonderful and attractive characteristics.

Yet, the two stories of Derinkuyu underground city has been discovered. There is an air shaft in the middle. The living chambers, wine producing chamber, food storages were linked to each other with narrow corridors and stairs. Paintings have not been yet found in Derinkuyu underground city just like Kaymaklı. The rocky cover which is a strong door of a narrow carridor provides a means for defending the city against attacks.

Kaymaklı and Derinkuyu are the most important underground cities that have been discovered in Cappadocia, and probably the only discovered areas present in the region.

The studies and research showed that the present underground cities do not allow to visit them completely and their full capacities have not been exactly discovered yet either. The underground city has at least eight stories downwards and the structure of the soil allows to open way and build rooms from volcanic formations. This volcanic block from which the underground houses and streets are formed has a climate cool in summer and warm in winter. And it is useful as it does not allow water leakages.

First, it was thought that the underground city was built against the danger of attacks in the first years of Christianity or against wild animals. (Cappadocia region was subject to the attacks of Arams and Persians.) But, according to Martin Urban, German archaeologist, 1000 years are required to built such an underground city considering the primitive and simple conditions of that age (F.Bernard-Derniere Nouvel Alsace). It was understood that the underground cities were built much earlier than the beginning of Christianity period, in the period of Hittites even thousands of years before these periods.

Capacity and Divisions of Derinkuyu Underground City

There is a tunnel 9 km. long linking the two underground cities between Derinkuyu and Kaymaklı underground cities. This tunnel provides communication between the cities and it has a security exit do or protecting the people of the cities against the attacks of the enemies. It is estimated that both cities have at least 9 stories, and provided shelter for at least 15.000 (fifteen thousand) and maximum 60.000 (sixty thousand) people.

The families used to live in a flat-like division composed of bedrooms, kitchen, temple, food-store, meeting room, refectory and stable.

There are wells in each one of the divisions used as home-place in the entrance of Derinkuyu and Kaymaklı underground cities. The wells could not be kept in their original shape while they are required to be changed for touristic purposes.

A few steps further, you can see two corridors folding 1 m. high. There are carved divisions for placing torches on them. You can go down to the second story through a narrow corridor. And there is a main big hall there and it is surrounded by rooms. So, you can go down 55 m. deep.

Two astonishing points draw your attention while you are travelling in the underground city. The first is the vertical air shaft, the second is the cellar of grape trough.

The air shaft is for the ventilation of the narrow corridors and chambers.
Grape trough (cellar), is composed of a channel in which the juice of the grapes mashed under the foot can flow and a hole.

The organisation of the chambers, building style, the corridors and stairs linking the stories show that this underground city is the work of very talented architects.
The air shaft provides air circulation between all divisions (it is a system similar to today's air-condition system), gives a nice coolness to the underground city as a whole.
There are heavy, intact and safe round stones used as doors or covers in the entrance of the corridors and stairs for security purposes.

These stony doors were used by rolling them to provide a means of defense and protection against any attacks, and they still stand in their original places.
But no written document was found which would be helpful for archaeological studies about these underground cities. But it is understood that these cities were used as shelters by various people in different periods (P. Bernard-Daniere Nouvel Alsace).

Kaymakli Derinkuyu Turkey

2008-01-15T04:39:00.000-08:00

Kaymakli Derinkuyu, Kaymaklı Turkey

There are two important cities in Cappadocia. One of them is in Kaymaklı and the other is in Derinkuyu. This region is very important for tourism with its mysterious characteristics of the underground cities.

Kaymaklı is a small town 20 km. to Nevşehir and 10 km. to Derinkuyu. Grapes, aprieot and potatoes are grown there. Only four stories of Kaymaklı underground city can be visited due to safety reasons. it is not completely open for visitors.

The rooms, corridors, the stairs, the ceiling, the floor and the walls of the underground city have a mild structure which enables to open tunnels and hollows. This volcanic body, in which you can hollow easily, is safe, durable and it does not permit water leakages. it is cool in summer and warm in winter. These underground cities retain all their characteristics without any destruction or collapse due to these characteristies. Same color motifs were recognized in Kaymaklı underground city. Maybe the divisions including color motifs have not been discovered yet. it is seen that the city was defended by rocky covers in form of tunnels for outside attacks.

Soganli Turkey Soganli Valley Sondos

2008-01-14T14:48:00.000-08:00

Soganli Turkey, Soganli Valley

Soğanlı was founded in the valley, 65 km. south of Ürgüp and 25 km. to Derinkuyu. it was called "Sondos" in the ancient times. After the Seljuks, it was Sonakaldı and now its name is Soğanlı.

There are two valleys around Balık brook and there are a lot of churches around these valleys.

You can visit Ak Kilise (White Church), Büyük Kilise (Big Church) which retain their colors and motifs today or Meryem Ana Kilisesi (Virgin Mary Church), Yılanlı Kilise (Church of the Serpents) and Canavarlı Kilise (The Church with Dragon) in which you can see the fighting of St. Georges with the dragon pictured, around the main water bed (they are probably of 15th or 16th centuries).

On the other valley there are churches with paintings as well. While climbing to the upper Soğanlı, nests of pigeons capture your interest. You can visit Saint-Jean Church which retains its colors and motifs just like yesterday. And there are Saint Georges Kilisesi (Saint Georges Church), Geyikli Kilise (Church with the Hart) in the lower Soğanlı. There is a picture of a hart in Geyikli, symbolizing St. Eustache.

Sinasos Urgup Turkey

2008-01-14T14:47:00.000-08:00

Sinasos Turkey

Sinasos, which looks like a real long volcanic corridor, is 15 km. south of Ürgüp.

The characteristics of the age are seen in Haghios Konstantinos Eleni and Haghios Vasilos Churches. Name of this place, which has nice houses, was Sinasos once upon a time and now it is called Mustafa Pasa. Damsa dam and Monastre des Archanges, Haglions Stephanos are the churches you can visit there. You can also visit two tombs (which were used as theologic school once) built in the period of Seljuks in Damsa. Quarante Martyus Church and Suveys Church, Kocalı (Mavrican) Church are buildings to be visited for their interesting colors, ornamentations and motifs.

Tilkoy Turkey Derinkuyu

2008-01-14T14:45:00.000-08:00

Tilkoy Turkey

It is a smaIl village on Soğanlı road, 9 km. east of Derinkuyu. The underground city is not completely dug up. Derikuyu looks like an underground city as a whole. it was used as settling area for sometime as underground city which is formed by rocky covers and a few divisions. It has an air shaft. There lies enough water on the bottom of this air shaft. It is like a well which is used for the water.

There is a Kervansaray (Caravanserai) in Tilköy, built in the period of Seljuks.. The road of the caravan from Istanbul to Iran was passing by this place. Sultanhan, Yeşilhisar, İncesu, Tilköy, Doğala, travelling between Sivas-Kayseri and Konya.

Gulsehir Aciksaray Nevsehir Gulsehir

2008-01-14T14:44:00.001-08:00

Gulsehir and Aciksaray, Nevsehir Gulsehir

Gülşehir is a small town 6.000 (six thousand) population between Kepez Mountain and Kızılırmak river 20 km. northwest of Nevşehir. While going from Gülşehir to Nevşehir, you see the wonderful view of Açıksaray in 2 km. Some parts of Açıksaray, which carry the evidences of the 6th and the 7th centuries art concept, have been destroyed because of erosion. You can see Saint Jean Church and a tunnel which is 200 m. long in this area.

Uchisar Turkey Cappadocia Uchisar Castle

2008-01-14T14:40:00.000-08:00

Uchisar Turkey, Uchisar Cappadocia

It is a town with 3.500 population on Nevşehir-Avanos road. The town first founded in the caves of rocks, then got down to the foot because of the erosion. it lies at a point which overlooks Cappadoica as a whole. It is surrounded by vineyards and apricot gardens. Since you can look the Cappadocia Valley there on the top, and especially that you can watch the wonderful sunrise and the mysterious and magnificent scenes that sunset forms on the fairy chimneys by light and shadows make one feel that it's not easy to tell by words.

Uchisar Castle is still being destroyed by erosion, but its historical value has reached us today. The little park, hotels, motels and pensions and Kaya Oteli (Rocky Hotel-L'hotel Roche) is being run by club Mediterranne. Two floors of it were built in 1969 by carving in the rocks. The third floor has been built by making it as similar as the original as the additional floor while needed. While the hotel has the view of a deep valley and the pigeon houses, sunrise and sunset are viewed from a different point and it is possible to watch the wonderful beauties of fairy chimneys.

Avanos Turkey Venessa Nevsehir Avanos

2008-01-14T14:38:00.000-08:00

Avanos Turkey, Nevsehir Avanos

it is a small town founded in the period of Seljuks by the river Kızılırmak 13 km. to Ürgüp and 20 km. to Nevşehir. Pottery has developed as the handcraft in the town. Plates, saucepans and such furnitures are made of red soil. Carpet woving is another handcraft.

The old name of Avanos was Venessa, meaning river side.

Zelve Turkey

2008-01-14T14:34:00.000-08:00

Zelve Turkey

Turning right on Göreme-Avanos Road, you reach Zelve in 3 km. passing by the natural masterpieces which are formed by erosion. There are fairy chimneys, height of each reaching 15-20 meters.

Zelve is an ancient city carved on the rocky ridges within the big valley and has stairs in it. it has been a center for a considerably long period. it was an important histarical center of Christianity.

Zelve valley is surrounded by vineyards, apricot trees and big wide mountains on the north. The valley is V shaped. On the rocky ridges, there are plenty of houses, big and small, just like nests; temples to which you climb or go down by the stairs.

There are churches, destroyed by erosion, and built in Byzantine period. The ruins of a flour mill on the left wing of the valley is another speciality. The temple and the small minaret which were used as mosque during the conquerence of Mouslim Emperors give a different atmosphere to the valley. Temples, rock houses, narrow stairs , windows opposite each other (just like the windows of the modern buildings) which remained on the middle part between the two rivers dividing the rocky ridges on the left and on the right despite the effects of erosion, make one imagine the way of living of a large community.

Zelve was a settlement for Turkish families until recent times. When erosion threatened danger in 1950, this histarical city was abandaned. This big museum which was placed on Valleys, provides different views according to the point of view. Zelve has a special touristic and historical importance with its churches left from Byzantine period and it is possible to take good photographs.

Ortahisar Orta Hisar Cappadocia Turkey

2008-01-14T14:29:00.000-08:00

Orta Hisar (Ortahisar) Turkey

It is the name of two castles built in the period when the Christians needed and of a town around these castles having nearly a thousand people population. it is 16 km. to Nevşehir and 6 km. to Ürgüp. When climbed to Ortahisar Castle having 23 stories, geologic formation and structure of Cappadocia region can easily be viewed.

There is a tunnel which links Ortahisar Castle to İshak Castle, 300 m. far from each other. Probably the Christians were using both of these castles for cheating their enemies. On the entrance from the main road, there are cave stores used for storing citrus fruits on the left and right. These stores are like natural fridges and they have the capacity of providing one year's food need of Turkey and even the export surplus.

There are two churches in Ortahisar named Harım and Sarıca. You can go Halaşdere Kilisesi (Halaşdere Church), Balkan Kilisesi (Balkan Church), Pancarlı Kilise (Pancarlı Church), Tavşanlı Kilise (Tavşanlı Church), Cambazlı Kilise (Cambazlı Church), Kepez Kilise (Kepez Church), Güvercinlik, Mineral Water Beds, etc. from Ortahisar.

Cavusin Church

2008-01-14T14:25:00.000-08:00

Çavşin Church, Çavuşin Church (Cavusin)

Çavuşin is a small village. it is a church recognized easily by its iron stairs which was built later, on the right of the road Çavuşin-Avcılar-Avanos and 9 km. to Avanos.

Although it reminds Tokalı Kilise with its rich subjects of frescoes, it does not have majestic figures. it has a large altar with barrel vault and has a large plan with two small apses. We see the frescoes of Christ and an apostle (maybe St. Thomas or St. Battalemus) in the apse.

The dominance of rust red, brown, green tones and the anatomies of the figures lead us to think that the church was built in the early period.

Subjects of the frescoes in the church are: the Annunciation, the Trial by Water, Presentation of the Gifts, the Massacre of the Innocents, Joseph's dream, the Flight into Egypt, the Baptism, the Raising of Lazarus, the Healing of the Blind, the Entry into Jerusalem, the Last Supper, the Betrayal, the Crucifixion, Descent from the Cross, the Women at the Tomb, the Resurrection, the Ascension. There are also some portraits of the Saints.

Monastery Of The Maidens And Boys

2008-01-14T14:19:00.000-08:00

Monastery Of The Maidens And The Boys

There lies the most beautiful example of the rock monastery on the left on the entrance of Göreme Open Air Museum.

The monastery church which includes red iconoclastic ornaments, has four pillars, transverse vault, and cross plan, is on the third floor. refectory, kitchen and cellar are the units side by side on the ground floor and unfortunately damaged. Also, there is a hidden room in which there lies niches on which the icons are probably hanged. it is very hard to climb that room. The rooms and divisions in the monasteries are linked to each other with tunnels and there are some round and heavy door-rocks to facilitate the defense in case of an attack by enemies. On the right of the entrance is the boys monastery. Like maidens monastery, it is carved out of a single rock black with the same purpose and plan.

The church, the refectory, the kitchen, the cellar, the cript and the other divisions are planned and designed to meet the daily needs of the people living in them.

Virgin Mary Church Meryem Ana Kilisesi

2008-01-14T14:16:00.000-08:00

Virgin Mary Church (Meryem Ana Kilisesi)

You can go to this church which is near Tokalı Kilise through a narrow road. Its entrance is like a cave's. Since it lies at the beginning of Kılıçlar Valley, on a higher point, there is a wonderful view of the valley.

Some fractures occurred on the walls of the church because of rain. Again, there are some scenes depicting the stories in the Bible. Figure of the Virgin Mary was pictured in different compositions and several times.

We can see some martyr figures inside the niches opposite the entrance.
Realistic impression of the figures and the bright colors are the most important characteristics.

Boss Church Buckle Church Tokali

2008-01-14T14:14:00.000-08:00

Boss Church Also Called As Buckle Church (Tokalı Kilisesi)

it is on the right of the road from GöreMe to Avcılar. It was built and decorated in different periods. One of the largest and most imposing structures in all of troglodytic Cappadocia is the Boss Church. There are a longitudinal nartex with a different vault and a latitudinal altar. There are four pillars linked to eaeh other with arches and a e corridor raised behind these pillars, and there are two small side apses and one big apse following the corridor.

There is a small side altar divided with pillars on the left of the entrance. We can see the ornaments of iconoclastic period under the frescoes which are throwing down.

The life of Christ and his miracles are depicted chronologically by using generally green and red tones as friezes on the nartex and barrel vault.

Subjects: The Annunciation, the Visitation to St. Elizabeth (Mother of John the Baptist) by Virgin Mary, the Trial by Water, the Nativity, Presentation of the Gifts by the Wise man of the east, the Massacre of the Innocents by King Herod, Virgin Mary, the Flight into Egypt, meeting with John the Baptist, the Baptism, the Miracle in the Sea of Galileo, Miracle of the Thousand's (Multiplication of the Loaves) (the miracle that five thousand people were satiated with five loaves of bread and three fish by Chris), the Healing of the Blind, the Raising of Lazarus, the Last Supper, the Betrayal, Carrying the Cross, the Crucifixion, Descent from the Cross, the Women at the Tomb, The Resurrection of Christ.

The larger area of the main church when compared with the others, enabled the monks to make detailed compositions. The monks who become free for painting icons after the iconoclastic period, made mare realistic, more to make detailed compositions. The monks made more realistic, more detailed frescoes with much care. The upper part of the narrow side altar is divided into divisions with a big cross. You can see the pictures of the eight saints inside the niches.

On the transversal altar, the scenes about the life of St. Basileus, depictions of the Saints, and especially the scenes picturing the miracles of Chrits were represented.

Dark blue is mostly used color and this is one of the most important characteristics distinguishing Tokalı Kilise from the others.

Church Of The Sandals Churches Sandels

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Church Of The Sandals (Karanlık Kilise), Sandels Church

It is easily recognized with its iron stairway following the Karanlık Kilise. Although it has two pillars, transverse vault is used. it is thought that it was the same period with the Karanlık Kilise. The compositions of the frescoes are the same with the ones in the Karanlık Kilise. The colors are warmer because of more light there. Foot anatomies are especially painted with care. The differences from the frescoes of Karanlık Kilise are the scenes such as going to the Cross and descent from the Cross, and the hospitality of Abraham, which were taken from the Old Testament.

The nartex has collapsed and the frescoes are damaged.

The Dark Church Churches

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The Dark Church

A narrow stairway leads to the front of the church with barrel vault. it leads to the main church entrance with four pillars. it is a basilica planned-church (cross-in-square church) with two side apses and transverse vault. Since very little light comes in from the nartex, it owns the best preserved frescoes among the churches in Göreme.

It is estimated that the church is of the 13th century. The last evidences of iconoclastic period have been destroyed. The paintings have been distributed randomly without a chronological order. They are mostly about the scenes representing the holy days in Christ's life. The subjects of the frescoes in the church are: The Nativity, the Gifts, the Baptism, the Raising of Lazarus, the Flight into Egypt, the Last Supper, the Betrayal, Mary in the Cemetery, the Ascension, the Transfiguration, and apart from these scenes ab out Christ's life, the figures of the Magi, writing down the Bible, the portraits of the faces of the Apostles, and the ones writing the Bible.

There is a wonderful portrait of Christ on the inner part of the dome in front of the apse.

One can realize that the painters who were monks have tried to give meaning, sense and liveliness to the paintings by faces, movements and landscapes. The colors are dark because of the light and dull because of the mortar.

Moreover, the ornaments on the capitals and friezes are the motifs which are used very widely in designing the carpets in the region.

*This church is closed for visitors for ten years.

The Cellar The Kitchen And The Refectory

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The Cellar - The Kitchen And The Refectory

There are three doors side by side. You can pass through one anather. The first building has been used as the cellar. There are small shelf-like notches on the wall used for the storage of food. The second building which has been used as kitchen, is between the cellar and the refectory. There is an oven which is made of a kind of soil called tandır and still used in villages.

The third part is the refectory. There are a big table made of stone and a bench for nearly 40-50 people around it. At one end of the table, there is a niche and it serves an authoritative person to sit there. On the right of the table, there is a place made for juicing grapes and there are shelf-like notches on the walls made for placing food in them.

Church Of The Serpents Cappadocia Churches

2008-01-14T10:58:00.000-08:00

The Church Of The Serpents

it is composed of two parts, one is barrel vaulted and the other has flat-ceiling. it is understood from the grave in the middle of the floor, the part with flat ceiling and the side apses which are left without carving although drawn, that the church is an uncompleted work.

On the ceiling opposite the entrance, Christ is pictured standing with a book in his left hand and a child near him. On the left wall emperor Constantine and Ste. Helena who served to Christianity to a great extent were pictured with a big orthodox cross between them. Near them, the fighting of St. George and St. Theodor with the dragon has been depicted. And near them, Onosimos was shown in an antique dress. On the right of the wall on the right, St. Basil and St. Thomas and then a semi-man, semi-woman figure whose genital organ is covered by a leaf and who has both a beard and breast was pictured. (This woman, namely Onuphrious was a flighty woman once, but then she showed her regret to God, and prayed help for getting rid of the men who want to be with her, and God accepted her prayings and made her ugly with beard.)

Church Of St Barbara Churches

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Church Of St. Barbara, Barbara Church

It is a small church with two pillars carved out of the same rock as Elmalı Kilise. Ornaments made by red ocher have been protected as the wonderful examples of iconoclastic period (725-846) and have not been covered by frescoes with mortar as in the other churches.

Church of St. Barbara is an important evidence for it represents the Christian way of life in a period in which all icons are prohibited. Religious believes and sense have come to existence with red ornaments when tried to be suppressed, and they showed their rebellion against such a pressure by explaining their wishes with these symbolic figures.Af ter the iconoclastic period, St. Barbara, St. George, St. Theodor have been painted directly on the wall and a big figure of Christ has been painted on the apse.

Church Of The Apple Tree Goreme

2008-01-14T08:34:00.000-08:00

Church Of The Apple Tree

You can enter Elmalı Kilise through a corridor on the left while going to the center of the main churches. It is a typical one of the central domed churches with four pillars, transverse vaults and small and big apses. Ornaments of iconoclastic period can be seen under some of the frescoes whose mortar has been thrown out in some parts.

The subjects of the frescoes are some compositions about the life of Christ which are written in the Bible. The frescoes which can be seen in the church are: the Baptism, the Raising of Lazarus, the Entry into Jerusalem, the Last Supper, The Betrayal, The Crucifixion and the Transfiguration.

The name of the church probably comes from the apple tree garden outside the main entrance which is now ruined.

Small Chapel Of St Basil Church Cappadocia

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Small Chapel (Chapel Of St. Basil)

It is a church without a plate which is located to the left of the fountain opposite the entrance of Göreme Open Air Mesueum.

There is a big apse on the left side of the basilica style building with barrel vault and are two small apses on both sides. On the walls, figures from iconoclastic periods and paintings made upon them directly without using a mortar can be seen.On the narrow side of the area St. George and St. Theodor, Christ was described on the apse and Virgin Mary with Christ in her arms between two apses.

Churches Of Cappadocia Church

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Small Chapel (Chapel Of St. Basil)

Church Of The Apple Tree

Church Of St. Barbara

The Dark Church

The Cellar - The Kitchen And The Refectory

Church Of The Serpents

Monastery Of The Maidens And Boys

Virgin Mary Church

Boss Church, Buckle Church

Church Of The Sandals

Çavuşin Church (Çavşin Church)

Goreme Turkey Cappadocia Korama

2008-01-14T05:58:00.000-08:00

Goreme Turkey (Gor'emi - Korama) Cappadoce Goreme

A small town in a very beautiful valley, Göreme is 17 km. to Nevşehir and 10 km. to Ürgüp.

People living here have opened some rooms of their houses for tourists and so they show the hospitality of Turkish families. You can watch the charming beauty of Göreme Valley during sunrise and sunset because of the wonderful scene the shadows the fairy chimneys form.

Structure of the land which was formed by volcanic explosions and erosions provides a nice view. The churches in Göreme form a nice composition together.
Göreme was an important center of Christianity with some hundred churches in the 6th and 9th centuries. Zelve, Mustafa Pasha, Avcılar, Uçhisar, Ortahisar and Çavuşin Churches are the masterpieces of the same age. Indeed, Küçük Şapel (SmaIl Chapel), Tokalı Kilise (the Bass Church or the Buckle Church), Meryem Ana Kilisesi (Virgin Mary Church), Elmalı Kilise (Church of the Apple Tree), Yılanlı Kilise (Church of the Serpents), Barbara Kilisesi (the Church of St. Barbara) are the churches which survive today with all their characteristics in Göreme.

Nevsehir Turkey Nevsehir Cappadocia Kapadokya

2008-01-14T05:53:00.000-08:00

Nevsehir Turkey, Nevşehir Kapadokya

The ancient name of the city is "Nissa". it lies on the Kızılırmak Valley, in the center of central Anatolia. it was found that the city has been a settlement area since 3000 B.C.

Hittites, Phrigians, Persians, Makedonians are some of the nations who Hved on these lands.

After the victory of Malazgirt battle in 1071, the city was conquered by Seljuks, and its name was changed into "Muşkara".

Nevşehir developed considerably under Ottoman Empire, when Damat İbrahim Pasha from Nevşehir was Grand Vizier (1720). In this period, several architectural buildings were constructed such as mosques, medresses (muslim theological school), inns, hamams (baths), each one of which is a masterpiece.

The construction year of the Nevşehir Castle is not known. it is one of the historical remains which were restored during Ottoman Empire (in the 18th century).

Damat İbrahim Pasha Mosque (also called Kurşunlu Mosque) was built by the order of Damat İbrahim Pasha in 1726. The dome of the mosque is covered by lead. The mosque is surrounded by a complex of buildings which includes a hospice, a library, a junior high school and a hamam. In the library, you can find the works belonging to Lale Devri (Tulip Age) and works about Damat İbrahim Pasha. Moreover, two carpets which have a historical value can be seen there.

Nevşehir is a small Anatolian city today with historical, touristical properties and its population is 50.000.

Urgup Cappadocia İnformation About Turkey

2008-01-14T05:42:00.000-08:00

Urgup Cappadocia Turkey

Ürgüp is a little town 20 km. to Nevşehir. it is an ancient settlement center lying on the foot of a mountain and is 7 km. to Göreme and 60 km. to Kayseri.

It is said that the word Ürgüp is a combinatian of the words UR and KUP. Ur means "rock" and kup means "many". The history of the town goes back to the Hittites. Under Seljuks, Ürgüp was again an important town.

Indeed, Ürgüp is a masterpiece of culture, history, and civilization with its discovered remains which are preserved until recent times. Though lost most of their characteristics and peculiarities in time by natural calamities and erosions, there are still monuments and remains which survives today and will continue to survive in the future. Fairy chimneys and the carvings on the rocks and the rock houses in which, once upon a time, the people lived and made them shelter for themselves are still lively. Most of the tableland here consists of tuff, which becomes oxidized and forms a hard bark resistant to bad weather conditions. it is easily recognized that vineyards, apple, apricot gardens, poplar trees adorn the environs of Ürgüp. The region owns fertile soils which are almost white (regosol) colored. Due to the characteristics of climate and soil, grape with seeds is grown here. Ürgüp wines gain its well-known quality by this soil and climate. Ürgüp wines which are famous throughout the world are kept and sold in cellers. Every year, in October, an International Wine Festival is held.
Ürgüp is also a very rich and lively shopping center for tourists.

Summers are hot and winters are cold in Ürgüp. The hottest months are July and August. Average temperature is 28 °C in July and 26.5 °C in August. December and January are the coldest months. Average lowest temperature is -7°C People living in Ürgüp show their hospitality by letting their houses on hire as pensions and providing shelter for tourists in that way. Beautiful and comfortable camps, motels dancing halls and hotels with swimming pools in and near the town and historical hamam (Turkish bath) is another peculiarity of the town. The historical bath is one of the remains which can still be used for bathing. Following an entry with dome, comes a hot central massage slab (especially for sweating) which is surrounded by bathing cabins.

Ürgüp was an important city in Byzantium (especially in the 11th and 10th centuries). The area on which the town lies was eroded through Kızılırmak Valley from the mountain. The rocks and pieces of rocks which have come into this area from Erciyes Mountain after volcanic explosions can easily be recognized.

Volcanic explosions and the following natural events and erosion have added characteristic peculiarities to the structure of soil in Ürgüp.

Water flows from Kızılırmak river and its winds have formed small hills, mounds, valleys and ridges. Therefore, very interesting and astonishing scenes are seen in the landscape of Ürgüp. Fairy Chimneys are the most attractive formations in this scene. Vertical pyramids are of various height and size. Some are even 30 m. high. On the top of some of these pyramids, there are large rocks which look like a roof or a hat and one would think that theyare placed there by someone very carefully. These rocks present a wonderful scene through the aesthetic balance of a horizontally placed rock on the summit of a naturally upside cone which is protected against outside effects such as rain, snow and storm.

The highest point in the plateau is Topuz Mountain which is 1500 m. high. Although it has a stiff appearance, its summit is not apoint but a flat level.
In the valleys which are formed by volcanic lavas and tuffs, rivers have formed interesting and various folds and channels. Volcanic tuff as the first layer and basalt and andesit lavas on it form the outer appearance and the body of the fairy chimneys. How many meters the tuff is, is not known yet. it is estimated to be nearly 100 m.

Among these magnificent views, Christianity gains a particular appearance and importance with a lot of holy buildings, chapels and churches. it is as if "a new city of Byzantine art", in the words of R.P. de Jerphanion. There are many churches and monasteries, which, although left to the nature and abandoned centuries ago, still carry their characteristics near Ürgüp. Settlings carved out rock, are lively evidences of history together with the churches and monasteries.

The plateau is a quite wide area and the soil has a soft and easily processable structure which allows to make shelters by hollowing. Therefore, ornaments made by hand on the rocks in the decoration of churches (Rupestre) is widely used. Placing, processing, designing of the stones and the rocks are so beautiful and incredible that it can hardly be done today by the experts of civil engineering. Special care was taken to provide the complete appearance and construction and building characteristics of a church or a monastery.

There are also decoration designs reflecting the color and art fashion of the ages they were made. Handworks on the rocks, dyes of the paintings were attached with strong adhesives. There exist lively and attractive (saisissant) figures and paintings which are really very important works of art.

These figures and colors show the line concept and art sense of that age. Portraits in the form of medallion (circles) represent the significant characters of Byzantine period. St Georges, Ste. Barbara, Stea. Catherina, St. Christophe, St. Eustache, King Constantine, Queen Helene are portrayed in these churches and monasteries with a cross in their hands. The fiestas that were celebrated once upon a time have also been represented in these paintings.

Dyes, paintings and motifs describe the way of life of those ages.
In the colors of the carpets and kilims, which are woven today in Ürgüp and its environs, and in the motifs of them, the same natural dyes are recognized just like a tradition carried on for centuries.

Keşlik Monastery Valley, Devrent Valley and Pancarlı Kilisesi (Pancarlı Church) are interesting places to visit. In Kızılçukur Valley, you can watch sunset best in the region. AIso, Üzümlü Kilise (Church of Grapes) is another building which is still preserved.

Cappadocia Tours Touring Cappadocia Tour

2008-01-13T15:23:00.000-08:00

Touring Cappadocia, Turkey Cappadocia Tours

Although you could see something of Cappadocia on a lightning day trip by plane, it's better to stay at least one night in the region. Two or three nights is far better, and indeed you could easily spend a week here and stili not see everything.

Most people come to Cappadocia by bus, although there is a train service to Kayseri and Niğde, and a new airport at Gülşehir now serves the region with daily flights.

The most convenient bases for exploration are Göreme (favourite of backpackers and budget travellers), Ürgüp (with a good mix of lodgings, including many group hotels), and Avanos, a pottery-making centre. Göreme village is within walking distance of the Göreme Valley, and Ürgüp and Avanos are a 10-minute ride from the Göreme Valley. Uçhisar, popular with French travellers, is sleepier despite its dramatic volcanic rock kale. Ortahisar has a few hotels and pensions, and few tourists. Nevşehir, the provincial capital, has little to offer beyond being a transfer point.

Güzelyurt and the Ihlara Valley make a good day-trip, though they both have accommodation, and more can be found in Niğde and Aksaray if necessary. Separated from Cappadocia by around 70km and a range of hills, Kayseri, the largest city in the region, is not the convenient base for daily excursions you might assume.

in summer, travelling among these places is relatively straightforward, with frequent dolmuş minibuses. in winter, there is less frequent transport, and you may want to consider a tour or a hired car or taxi if your time is short.

Tours organised by local travel agencies allow you to see all the sights cheaply and conveniently, but often dump you in a carpet or souvenir shop in the middle of nowhere for two hours. The tour company gets as much as 30% commission on everything you buy but the tea is free and the 'shopping' can be a rest from walking in the sun. Still, why pay to be fleeced? Find a tour with no shopping stop, shop on your own, and pocket the tour company's 30%.

To hire a taxi or minibüs, with driver, for a full-day tour of ali Cappadocia, starting at Ürgüp or Göreme, costs from US$80 to US$100. Alternatively, you can rent a bicycle, moped or motorbike to help you get about; see Getting Around in the Göreme section, later. If you have more time than money, plan to walk and hitch through the region, a wonderful way to tour, though it can be tiring in the hot sun.

However you go, wear flat shoes for climbing the metal-rung ladders and stair-ways to the cave churches, and take a torch (flashlight) if you have one. Refreshments, snacks and light meals are available at ali major sites.

Cappadocia History Of Cappadocia

2008-01-13T15:19:00.000-08:00

Cappadocia History, History Of Cappadocia

The history of Cappadocia began with the eruptions of three volcanoes (Erciyes Dağı near Kayseri, Melendiz Dağı near Niğde, and Göllüdağ between them), as much as 10 million years ago. The eruptions spread a thick layer of hot volcanic ash over the region, which hardened into a soft, porous stone called tufa.

Over aeons of geological time, wind, water and sand erosion wore away portions of the tufa, carving it into elaborate and unearthly shapes. Boulders of hard stone, caught in the tufa and then exposed by erosion, protect the tufa directly beneath from further erosion. The result is a column or cone of tufa with a boulder perched on top, whimsically called a peribaca, or 'fairy chimney'. Entire valleys are filled with these formations, many of them amusingly phallic in appearance.

The tufa was easily worked with primitive tools and the inhabitants learned early that sturdy dwellings could be cut from it with a minimum of fuss. A cave could be carved out very quickly and, if the family expanded, more easy carving could produce a nursery or store room in next to no time.

When invaders flooded across the land bridge between Europe and Asia, Cappadocians went underground, carving elaborate multi-level cave cities beneath the surface of the earth and only coming to the surface to tend their fields.

When Christianity arrived in Cappadocia, its adherents found that cave churches, complete with elaborate decoration, could be carved from the rock as easily as dwellings. Large Christian communities thrived here and their rock-hewn churches became a unique art form. Arab armies swept through in the 7th century but the Christians retreated into their caves again, rolling stone wheel-doors across the entrances.

Many of the caves and villages were in-habited by the descendants of these early settlers until this century, when the crum-bling of the Ottoman Empire forced the reorganisation of the Middle East along ethno-political lines.

Cappadocia Turkey About Capadocia

2008-01-13T15:14:00.000-08:00

Cappadocia Turkey Information

Cappadocia is surrounded by Vocanic Erciyes Dağı (Mount A rgaeus) (3916 meters high) in the east, Hasan Dağı (3253 meters high) which is again volcanic in the south, the Kızılırmak river in the north and Tuz Gölü (Lake Tuz), which is 900 meters above sea level, in the west.

Volcanic movements in the region have been formed in the new geologic age. The region was also largely eroded in the new geologic age. The dominant climate in Cappadocia is steppe. Volcanic movement, erosion, Ürgüp, Göreme, Zelve, Uçhisar, Çavuşin, Ortahisar, each of which has a different land formation, handcarvings by the people living there on the rocks, the underground cities, their paintings, mysterious remains describing their religion and social way of life are still attractive for many people. Görerne is the national park of the region.

Capadocia, the region between Ankara and Malatya, between the Black Sea and the Taurus Mountains, with its centre at Kayseri, was once the heart of the Hittite Empire, later an independent kingdom, then a vast Roman province mentioned several times in the Bible.

Today the name survives to describe one of Turkey's most visited tourist areas, the moonscape around the town of Ürgüp and the Göreme Valley. Since the name doesn't appear on official road maps, you'll need to know that 'Cappadocia' is the area bordered by Kayseri in the east, Aksaray in the west, Hacıbektaş to the norm and Niğde to the south.

For all its seeming barrenness, the mineral-laden volcanic soil is very fertile and Cappadocia today is a prime agricultural region with many fruit orchards and vine-yards. Little wineries experiment with the excellent grapes, sometimes with pleasant results. Irrigation schemes should greatly increase the productivity of the region.

Another source of vvealth is carpet-making, but these days tourism is Cappadocia's industry par excellence. People come from ali över the world to visit the Göreme Open-Air Museum, to explore the rock-hewn churches and dwellings in surrounding valleys, to gaze on the fairy chimneys and to plumb the depths of the underground cities at Derinkuyu and Kaymaklı.

Fresco Cappadocia Turkey İnformation

2008-01-13T15:05:00.000-08:00

Fresco Cappadocia Turkey

The word fresco is derived from the İtalian phrase "a fresco" and it means "cool". They are normally painted on cool surfaee. A fresco is essentially composed of a mixture of clay, sand, cotton thread and straw. This colored material is applied to a moist wall surface which absorbs it as it dries. While drying, the surface on which the fresco is applied is painted. Preparing it and obtaining the desired color requires care and attention. The brush that is used for painting should be long and smooth in order not to damage the surface of the wall. The colors are formed on the surface as a result of physical and chemieal reactions. The clay and the carbonic gases in the air form the desired color by protecting the surface on which the fresco has been applied.

Frescoes, paintings and portraits are widely used in the decoration of churches, since the type of soil on the surfaces of walls in the region is suitable for the process, the raw - materials for frescoes are cheap and easily found in the area.