Goreme Open Air Museum

928K 12 Nevsehir Touristic Locations Info Comments

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928K

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Scenes

01 Entrance

02 Valley

03 Trail 1

04 Dark Church Terrace

05 Trail 2

06 Main Church

07 Church 1

08 Church 2

09 Burial Chamber

10 Church 3

11 Church 4

12 Church 5

In the 3rd century, powerful priests transformed the region into a vibrant center of religious thought and life. By the 4th century, Cappadocia was known as the birthplace of three great saints (Basil the Great, Bishop of Caesarea; his brother Gregory of Nyssa; and Gregory of Nazianzus).

Basil did not choose an overly pious life; instead, he established small settlements far enough from villages and towns to serve as spiritual refuges for communities. Daily religious services were conducted under the supervision of a preacher. However, unlike in Egypt and Syria, these communities were not organized into separate, privileged groups distinct from other Christians. A significant reform Basil implemented in the churches of Cappadocia was the reintroduction of congregational prayer. The Göreme Open Air Museum today is where this system of education began, while Soğanlı, Ihlara, and Açıksaray represent later examples of this practice.

Must-see places:

Tokalı Church, Monastery of Nuns and Monks, St. Basil's Chapel, Elmalı Church, St. Barbara Chapel, Yılanlı (St. Onuphrius) Church, Cellar/Kitchen/Refectory, Dark Church, St. Catherine's Chapel, Çarıklı Church, Derinkuyu Underground City, Kaymaklı Underground City, Özkonak Underground City.