These are rock cut ruins of a church carved by persecuted Christians. The Cappadocia valley became an important center of monasticism that lasted from the 4th to the 14th centuries. There are an estimated 150 churches and several monasteries in the canyon between the villages of Ihlara and Selime.
Goreme, an important Christian centre in the early years of the Middle Ages, was a bishopric administered by Mokissos near Aksaray in the 11th and 13th centuries. Despite the vast number of monasteries, churches and chapels in the vicinity of Goreme, there are not many inscriptions bearing dates. For this reason, these religious buildings are mainly dated according to the iconography or architectural features.
It is believed that Goreme and its surroundings were used as a necropolis by the people of Vanessa (Avanos) in the Roman Periods. Both the monumental twin pillared Roman tomb hollowed out into a fairy chimney in the centre of Goreme and the presence of numerous tombs in the vicinity support that idea.
Goreme served as a physical and an intellectual oasis for the people who have lived here. Hittites found refuge from the Phrygian invaders while early Christian monks sought its isolation in a remote corner of the kingdom during the 2nd century Roman persecutions and were later sheltered from the Arab invasions in the 7th and 8th centuries.
For more context and history:
Engineering an Empire: The Byzantines
As much of the world descended into the Dark Ages after the fall of
Rome, the Byzantine Empire shone brilliantly. Ingenious but ruthless,
the Byzantines ruled over vast swaths of Europe and Asia for more than
a thousand years.
Redroom Studios, The Reckoning, and 48 other people added this photo to their favorites.
View 17 more comments
I was in Turkey 74 months ago | reply
You are INVITED to post it in...
Pictures are randomly displayed at I was in Turkey.
dondavidart 73 months ago | reply
fascinating history with an awesome photo! Thanks for sharing.
BoazImages 73 months ago | reply
Beautiful shot!!
This world-class image was found in
Global Village 2 (post 1 - give a globe to 5)
~Vision ~A i r y ~ © 73 months ago | reply
Global Village 2 (post 1 - give a globe to 5)
Deja Vu Photography (debbieskids) 73 months ago | reply
Global Village 2 (post 1 - give a globe to 5)
Javier Díaz* 73 months ago | reply
Global Village 2 (post 1 - give a globe to 5)
oar_square 71 months ago | reply
Wow, amazing.
Rodrigo_Soldon 66 months ago | reply
Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Wonderful photos for the world - Please comment on two (2), and we'd love to have your photo added to the group.
courge poivrée 66 months ago | reply
your photo to the group PlanetEye - travel beyond
words. A very small group of photographers are being invited and the
best photos will be included in a new online travel guide.
LeszekZadlo 63 months ago | reply
Hi, I'm an admin for a group called 100 + Viewed Best Archaeology & Ruins Photos (add 1, award 1), and we'd love to have this added to the group!
LeszekZadlo 61 months ago | reply
Hi, I'm an admin for a group called 100 + Viewed Best of Geology (Add 1, Award 1), and we'd love to have this added to the group!
Mr. Sable 60 months ago | reply
Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Adventurers' League, and we'd love to have this added to the group!
Süleyman 60 months ago | reply
--
Seen in the group"Turkey / Türkiye" (?)
----------------
We'd love to have this beautiful
photo added to our group
! Türkiye@Turchia !
Please Tag "TürkiyeTurchia"
invited with SICI (2008-07-23)
Photo Bug 1 58 months ago | reply
Great Shot!
Please post it at: "On Assignment."
www.flickr.com/groups/onassign/
TURCOLIVE 54 months ago | reply
Amazing shot!
Travel Reasons @ Travel Turkey
Turkey is a melting pot of many cultures and religions and bridge between continents. With more Greek ruins than Greece, more ancient Roman sites than Italy, irrefutably Turkey is the cradle of civilization.
However, Turkey is much more than its history with...
Here are some more reasons why you should travel to Turkey.
>>
Claudio Zeiger 44 months ago | reply
Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Habitação Nativa - Native Dwelling, and we'd love to have this added to the group!
cevatzade / www.cevatzade.com [deleted] 40 months ago | reply
Hi, I'm an admin for a group called www.flickr.com/groups/1342383@N23/, and we'd love to have this added to the group!
very good light...................
very good photo......................
All super..........................................
cevatzade / www.cevatzade.com [deleted] 40 months ago | reply
Hi, I'm an admin for a group called www.flickr.com/groups/1337572@N21/, and we'd love to have this added to the group!
cevatzade / www.cevatzade.com [deleted] 40 months ago | reply
Hi, I'm an admin for a group called www.flickr.com/groups/1284745@N20/, and we'd love to have this added to the group!
victor98_2001 11 months ago | reply
brilliant shot