Churches

Cappadocia has hundreds of cave churches with beautiful fresco paintings from the 9th and 10th centuries. Byzantine Christians carved these monasteries and churches as sacred spaces to worship Jesus.
 
For overviews, read about the meaning of painted icons, cave architecture, and monasticism. Or read about individual cave churches in Göreme, Ihlara, Soğanlı, Red Valley, Мustafapaşa & Ürgüp, Zelve, and other places.
 

Start Here!

"Top 10" lists for new visitors to Cappadocia’s cave churches.

Paintings & Icons

 
Learn the meaning and styles of the painted frescos.
 

Cave Architecture

Learn the meaning and forms of Cappadocia’s unique cave architecture.

Monasticism

 
Learn about the lifestyle and spirituality of ancient monks.
 

Göreme

Göreme Open Air Museum and neighboring valleys features the best cave churches in Cappadocia.
 

Ihlara Valley

A beautiful Cappadocian valley with a rushing river and unique cave churches.
 

Soğanlı Valley

A remote, peaceful valley with historic cave churches and monasteries.
 

Red Valley

A surreal valley near Göreme with stunning rock formations and cave churches.

Мustafapaşa/Ürgüp

Charming Greek towns with historic churches.