Places to see in Göreme

Göreme

One of the most beautiful places in the Cappadocia region, the first settlement of Göreme dates back to the Roman period and was used as a monastery from the 4th century to the 13th century AD. Since you can see the valleys from Göreme due to its location, the majority of the tours with hot air balloons begin here. And that is why all the hotels and restaurants are located in this region. Göreme also attracts many local and foreign tourists with its narrow streets, churches carved into the rocks and museums. Places to see in Göreme; Zemi valley, Güllüdere valley, Aşk valley, Three Crusaders church, Ayvalı church, Görkündere church, Cistern church, Saklı church, El Nazar church, Sunset Point, Aşıklar hill and Göreme open–air museum.

Zemi Valley

It is located on the Urgup-Nevsehir highway, east of Uchisar, between Göreme and Göreme open-air museum. Along with the 5600–meter path suitable to walk between the beginning of the valley and Göreme, you can see El Nazar Church, Saklı Church, Karabulut Church, Sarnıç Church and Görkündere. Walking tours are organized in the valley especially in summer months. There are fruit trees such as pear, mulberry, plum, apricot and hazelnut in the valley which has a narrow structure. There are two different routes for those who want to walk in the valley. The first route starts on the Urgup-Nevsehir road and is on a sloping road towards the Göreme open–air museum. The second route is the route that starts on the Ürgüp-Nevşehir road and goes down the inclined road and ends at Göreme. Those who want to go to the valley of Zemi can go easily using public transport to Uçhisar. 

Church of El Nazar (Zemi Valley)

The church, which depicts Jesus’ childhood, youth and miracles, is thought to have been built in the 11th century. The church between the vineyards was carved into the fairy chimney. There are also graves carved on the ground inside the T-planned structure with three apses. As a result of the restoration works, the destroyed parts of the church and the frescoes were repaired. The frescoes depict the gospel, the visit, the birth, the baptism, the entrance to Jerusalem and the ascent of Jesus. Like other churches in Cappadocia, saints were depicted in medallions. Those who want to go to the church, which is visited for a small fee, should enter the Göreme Open Air Museum and follow the signs.

Saklı Church (Zemi Valley)

Located close to El Nazar Church, Saklı Church was built with a rectangular plan and three apses Those who want to visit the church, whose door is usually locked, should ask the staff for help. On the walls of the church built in the 11th century, there are depictions of the crucifixion fresco, the gospel, the birth, the presentation of Jesus to the temple, the death of Mary and the assignment of John the Baptist.

Karabulut Church (Zemi Valley)

You can visit the church after walking about 2.5 km from the point known as Babacık Mevki in the Zemi Valley. Since the church, which is reached by a path, is not on the walking route, it is visited with walking guides. It is known that the church was built in the 11th century.   

Sarnıç (Cistern) Church (Zemi Valley)

It is understood from the water traces inside the church that the church which was known to have been built in the 11th century, was used as a cistern for a period. Birth, betrayal, Jesus’ crucifixion and depictions of the Saint can be seen in the church. The church has a single apse and the strength and richness of the frescoes draw attention. Since the church is not on the walking route, it is accompanied by walking guides who know the region. 

Görkündere Church (Zemi Valley) 

Located near the Church of El Nazar Görkündere, the church was built in the 11th century. Since the church, which has the same architectural structure as the other churches in Cappadocia, is not on the walking path, it is visited with guides who know the region.

Aşk (Love) Valley

The Love Valley, also known as the Bağdere Valley, is a valley with a length of about 5 km starting from Örencik on the Göreme-Uçhisar road and ending on the Göreme-Avanos road. The Love Valley, which is convenient for trekking tours, has approximately 5 km of trekking trails. The trekking trail between the vineyards and orchards is completed in approximately 2.5 hours and has two separate entrances. One of them is starts from Göreme-Avanos route and the other is from Uçhisar-Göreme road. It is recommended that people who want to walk in the valley of Love wear appropriate shoes and clothing.

It is visited by thousands of people every year with its wonderful views, vineyards and fairy chimneys of different shapes. Love Valley, which is one of the places visited by the balloon tour, offers the most beautiful view to the visitors. There is also a viewing terrace of the valley named Asiklar (Lovers) Hill. Those who want to go to the valley can take private vehicles or buses from Göreme to Uçhisar.

Göreme Sunrise and Sunset Views or Lovers Hill

It is one of the most preferred spots to watch the sunrise and sunset in Göreme. Cappadocia, which turns red in the hours of sunset, and the silhouettes of fairy chimneys under the sky, offer a magnificent view to the visitors. It is also possible to watch the spectacular view of the balloons taking off as the sun rises in the morning from the same spot. Over the hill, you can also see Göreme, Uchisar, Cavusin and Göreme open-air museum. This area, which is frequently visited by those who want to take the magnificent pictures of Göreme from the hill can go there by car up to a certain point and then walk. It is very crowded especially in the mornings and evenings in summer. You can also bring your own hot or cold drinks.

Göreme open-air Museum

There are more than 30 carved rock churches and chapels in the Göreme open-air museum complex, which houses monasteries from the 4th to the 12th century. Many frescoes depicting scenes from Jesus’ life and biblical events in rock churches and geometrically designed ornaments fascinate visitors.

Today, the buildings still retain their beauty as in the first day and the museum includes houses carved into the rocks, halls, rooms, living rooms, cafeterias, cellars, cemeteries, wine cellars, monasteries and different living spaces.

Places to see in Göreme open-air museum include Nuns and Priests Monastery, St. Basileus Church, Elmali Church, St. Barbara Church, Saint Catherine Chapel, Serpentine Church, Karanlık Church, Carikli Church and Tokali Church. Due to the danger of collapse, 18 churches and 11 dining halls were closed to visitors.

The Göreme open-air museum, which attracted great interest from domestic and foreign tourists, entered the UNESCO World Heritage List on December 6, 1985. The museum card is valid in the Göreme open-air museum which can be entered for a fee and there is an extra fee to visit the Dark Church in the museum. For those who want to visit Göreme open-air museum, a 2 or 2.5 hour period is enough.

It is possible to go to the museum by following the Göreme-Ürgüp highway with a private vehicle as well as by minibuses departing from the Meteris.
Visiting hours of Göreme Open Air Museum, which is open every day:
From April 15th to October 2nd, between 08:00 and 19:00.
From October 3rd to April 14th between 08:00 and 17:30.

Phone: +90 384 213 42 60
E-mail: [email protected]

Göreme open-air museum          Aksaray 88            km
Göreme open-air museum          Çavuşin  3             km
Göreme open-air museum          Göreme  2             km
Göreme open-air museum          Kayseri   70           km
Göreme open-air museum          Nevşehir 13           km
Göreme open-air museum          Ürgüp     6             km

Kızlar ve Erkekler (Girls and Boys) Monastery (Göreme Open Air Museum):

The Monastery of Girls and Boys, which was built in the 11th century, is also known as the monastery of Nuns and Priests. The buildings on the left side of the entrance of Göreme Open Air Museum are carved into the rocks.

Kızlar monastery has seven floors and only the first two floors can be visited. On the first floor, you can see the dining hall, kitchen and rooms while on the second floor you can see the ruined structures and the chapel. The connections between the floors are made with the help of tunnels, and in dangerous situations, sliding stones are used to cover the tunnels. It is also possible to see the frescoes depicting Jesus on the walls.

The Erkekler monastery, which is located opposite the Kızlar Monastery, consists of four floors in total and only the entrance floor is opened to visitors due to earthquakes and erosions. It is known that religious education is given to the students in the rooms on the ground floor.  

Chapel of St. Basileus (Göreme Open Air Museum)

The chapel, built in the 11th century and dedicated to St. Basileus, is located at the entrance of the Göreme Open Air Museum. The chapel with 3 apses was built in a rectangular shape. There are depictions of Jesus in the apse, depictions of Saints and depictions of Saint George and Saint Demetrius.

Elmali Church (Göreme Open Air Museum):

Elmalı Church, which is one of the most important and must-see churches of Göreme Open Air Museum, is located on the right side after passing the Monastery of Girls. The church, which stands out with its magnificent architecture and unique ornaments, has a crucifix plan and has three apses, four pillars and 9 domes. The church, which was thought to have been built in the late 11th century and early 12th century, was restored in 1990.   

Elmalı church takes its name from the description of Mikail, who holds an apple-like object in the church (Elma means apple). In the church, depictions of Christianity and Judaism are also depicted on the walls. Inside the church, which is among the places that are definitely recommended to be seen in the Göreme Open Air Museum, there are depictions of Deasis, birth, worship of the three astrologers, baptism, the resurrection of Lazarus, metamorphosis, the entrance to Jerusalem, the last supper, betrayal, Jesus on the way to Golgotha, Jesus on the cross, Jesus ‘seeing, Jesus’ descent to hell, women at the beginning of the empty tomb, Jesus ascension and depictions of Saints.   

St. Barbara Chapel (Göreme Open Air Museum)

The chapel dedicated to Barbara, an Egyptian whose father was murdered, was built in the 11th century. The chapel at the back of the Elmalı church, unlike the other chapels and churches in Göreme, has no human depictions on the decorations on the walls. The motifs are painted in red paint on the rock in Saint Barbara Chapel.   The dome of the chapel contains various geometric motifs, mythological animals, military symbols and different motifs. In the chapel, there are depictions of Jesus, Saint George and Saint Theodore as well as an inscription thought to be a prayer beside the Saint Barbara depiction.  

Chapel of St. Catherine (Göreme Open Air Museum)

The chapel, located between the Karanlık Church and the Carikli Church, was built in the 11th century. There are 11 tombs on the walls of the chapel with geometric decorations, scenes from the Bible and depictions of saints.  

Yılanlı Church (Göreme Open Air Museum):

Built in the 11th century, the church was named after the snake-like green dragon that fought against St. George. The church, built with rectangular and barrel vaults, contains the depiction of Jesus with the Bible, Saint Onesimus, Saint George and Saint Theodore fighting the dragon, Helena and his son Constantine holding the cross, Saint Onuphrius with long hair and naked body, Saint Thomas and Saint Basil with the book in his hand.

In the distance between the Yılanlı church and the Karanlık church, there is a cellar, kitchen, wine-making room, tandoor for making bread, and a cafeteria with 50 stone tables and tables.

Karanlık Church (Göreme Open Air Museum):

Because it was dark inside, the so-called Karanlık Church was built in the 11th century. The paintings and depictions inside the church have survived to the present day without being destroyed. There is a depiction of Christianity and Judaism in the church, which is reached through a staircase. The church, which has three domes, was built with 4 columns. In one of the domes, there is a depiction of Jesus. In 1950, the church underwent extensive cleaning and restoration. To enter Cappadocia’s best-preserved church, Yılanlı Church, a separate ticket is required.

Carikli Church (Göreme Open Air Museum)

The church takes its name from the footprints under the fresco at the entrance depicting the ascension of Jesus to the sky, as well as beautifully depicted footsteps. Carikli Church was built at the beginning of the 3rd century. Although similar to the Elmalı and the Karanlık churches, the depictions of Jesus’ crucifixion and his taking from the crucifixion, and the long and large depiction of each figure have created a distinctive image from the other churches. It was built with cross vaults, four domes and three apses In one of the domes, Jesus is depicted with the theme of the master of the universe. In the church, there are also Angel Mikael, Mary, Child Jesus, Three astrologers, baptism, saints and several different depictions and a cafeteria under the church.  

Tokalı Church (Göreme Open Air Museum)

Although it is outside the Göreme open-air museum, the Tokalı church, which can be visited with the same ticket, was built in the 10th century and consists of four parts. Tokalı Church, the oldest and largest rock church in the region, took its name from the resemblance of a large sphere to a buckle in the church. The vaults in the church are illustrated by sections of Jesus’ life. On the left side of the apse of the church is the depiction of the multi-armed angels of Erubin and Cherubin. In the church where the most beautiful Virgin Mary fresco is seen, the depictions of the murder of the prophet Zechariah, the meeting of Jesus and John the Baptist, the healing of the blind man, and the ascension of Jesus to the sky are seen perfectly. Red and blue colours dominate the church decorations in contrast to the dark blue colour come to the fore.

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