The World-Famous Ihlara Valley
IHLARA
Aksaray
has been a religious center since the early times of
Christianity. Basilus from Kayseri and Gregorius from
Nazianzos, who are founders of sects in Christianity,
lived here in the 4th century. They defined the principles
of the life in Monasteries different from that of Egypt
and Syria. Thus, the Greek and Slavic systems were
evolved. Although monks from Egypt and Syria cut their
relationships with the world, these monks did not do the
same thing. The place where this new understanding emerged
was known as Belisırma.
Gregorius proposed a new explanation for the trinity in
Christianity and his proposal gave strength to the views
of the Iznik Council of the Christians, where the belief
of Christs being God was discussed. Thus, the rocky area
where Gregorius grew up (Belisırma, Ihlara, Gelveri)
became a gathering point for churches carved in the rocks
as monasteries. When the castles in Mount Hasan opposed to
the raids of the Arabs, these churches continued as active
worshipping centers. These churches in Ihlara Canyon with
frescos carved in the rocks survived up to our time as
unique historical treasures. These churches with frescos
from the early times of the Christianity carved in the
rocks, and other settlements are in the Ihlara Canyon
which is 14 kms from Ihlara to Selime.
A view from the Stream Melendiz which runs through
Ihlara Canyon.
Patamos
Kapadokus,
which means the River of Cappadocia, where history and
nature meet, include many examples of the first churches
from A.D. 4. The painting technique of the churches in
Ihlara Valley is divided into two classes:
1.
The churches around Ihlara show the examples of the
art known as Cappadocia.
2.
Those in Belisırma are ornamented with pictures in
Byzantium style.
Thus, we must consider two types born from the source that
separates the region. Those in the first group are:
Eğritaş, Ağaçaltı, Kokar, Pürenliseki ve Yılanlı
Churches.
In the churches that are from the early times of the
Christianity, Bible scenes are depicted according to the
understandings of Saint Basilus and Gregorius. Long texts
are given in these descriptions.
Egyptian and Syrian effects are visible in the details.
Ağaçaltı Church is under the effect of Rome and Sasani,
and therefore carries a more eastern style.
Ağaçaltı Church
The depictions are very different from those in Cappadocia
and Byzantium. The plan fits those of the V.th and VI.th
centuries. Other three churches in the area are in another
group. The Saints resemble each other but they carry some
characteristics of Medieval times. Few texts from the
Bible are given and the Syrian effect in them is obvious.
There are some characteristics and statements which we
cannot see in the churches in Göreme and other churches.
It draws attention that in all pictures the Biblical
scenes are depicted in a symbolic style.
Lucifer and woman are in these pictures as the sources
of evil. The clothing is in Syrian and Iranian style,
resembling those of the places which belong to Islamic
Caliphs who lived in IXth ve Xth centuries. The belongings
of Jesus Christ on the dinner table, the animal which He
rides, are all far from Byzantium and Cappadocia style;
instead, they carry Egyptian Christian and Romanesque
picture characteristics.
Sümbüllü Church
The churches in Belisırma are clearly in Byzantine Style.
Some small details are examples of the local or Eastern
impresses but, the general style is Byzantine.
From all these churches, only two of them were determined
in the historical records (Direkli Church (976-1025),
Saint Georges Church (1283-1295). The latter is a typical
example of the art in its era. The picture showing the
clothing of a Selçukian Sultan is a proof showing that
this church was built with the protection and help of that
Turkish Sultan.
We see that with the recapture of the Taurus and Clikia
(=Kilikya) regions by the Byzantium Empire, new churches
were built. The pictures in Bahaddin Samanlığı Church,
Sümbüllü Church and Direkli Church are painted in this
era. Ala Church, Çanlı Church in Akhisar and Karagedik
Church are examples of the Byzantine art. Some Byzantine
style pictures were added to the old churches. These
addings end when Selcukian Turks come to the region in XI.
century. After that, the religious life continues in the
region. The church life in this region ends with the
population exchange in 1924.
A
General View from the Valley
THE FORMATION OF THE VALLEY
Mount Hasan, a volcano, and its environment, which is near
the valley, were formed in the Neogenic (Young Tersierre)
and VIth Time in the history. Unlike the raise of the
geographical structures in that time, the river basins
remained pretty law. With the eruption of Mount Hasan, the
area was covered with a wide volcanic layer. You can see
the natural thermal springs, which come out of the cracks
formed by the pressure of the limestone and the heat
during the same movements in Ziga Spa located between
Yaprakhisar and Ihlara. After the volcanic eruptions,
which affected the structure of the area, Tufa stones were
formed. These stones were corroded by the influence of
erosion, wind and other natural influences and so, the
Fairy Chimneys, which we see in Selime and Yaprakhisar
with various colors and visions, were formed. Tectonic
movements have caused some green and brown colored areas,
where there are tufa stones which are covered with rocks
as big pieces, to collapse.
Melendiz Stream, which runs through Ihlara Valley, and
which has carved its bed throughout the valley, has gained
a greater depth. This stream runs through the Valley,
which reaches a depth of 100 or 120 meters, dividing it
into to halves, and reaches the Salt Lake. It is called
Uluırmak near the city of Aksaray, but in the early
times in history, it was called Potamas Kapadokus, which
means The River of Cappadocia.
Ihlara Valley, which brings human, history and art
together in itself, will reveal its secrets when you meet
it.
THE CHURCHES IN THE VALLEY
There are 105 churches in the valley. Some of them are
open for visitors and they are: Eğritaş Church, Ağaçaltı
(Daniel) Church, Sümbüllü Church, Yılanlı Church, Kokar
Church, Pürenliseki Church, Eskibaca Church, Saint Georges
(Kırkdamaltı) Church, Direkli Church ve Ala Church.
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IMPORTANT DATES
1-
Aksaray-Ihlara Tourism and Culture Festival
(July15-21): Every year between July15-21. In 2001
it was celebrated for 21st time.
2- The
Commemoration of the poet Yunus Emre (First week of
September).
3- The
Commemoration of Somuncu Baba (Second week of
September).
4- The
Commemoration of Aksaray and Cemaleddin-i Aksarayi
(In October).
5- Day
of Mother-in-laws (June, 15)
6-Saratlı Culture and Art Festival (July 29).
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