This is the one place that everybody who comes through Cappadocia goes. It's a nicely packaged instant version of what the whole area has to offer and it's a good place to start. For background on the whole scene here check out the history of Cappadocia.

The open air museum is about 2km from the town of Goreme itself and you can comfortably walk it. Walking in Cappadocia is usually fun anyway. As you approach you'll pass the coachpark on your right, complete with its row of souvenir shops, and on your left the buckle church, one of the finest examples of frescoes in the area. Entrance is included when you buy your ticket at the main gate so you'll probably end up visiting it on the way out of the museum. Try not to forget it.

It would be silly to give details of all the churches and rooms in the valley here as you could easily spend half a day wondering about and looking at them all. Basically what you'll find is the remains of a monastic community who made their home in this valley. Most people are struck by the frescoes and the quality of these varies from excellent to very tatty. Keep an eye open for the strange symbolic decorations in some of the smaller churches and chapels. Bear in mind when buying your ticket that the Karanli church (recently restored and with the freshest frescoes) is not included in the price and will cost you an extra $5 or so.

Over the last 2 years or so an extensive protection programme has been put into place. The churches are very prone to erosion and to prevent this they are slowly being covered with a resilient artificial surface designed to halt their gradual destruction. This looks kind of weird at first glance but it makes sense.

Hacibektas - The founder of the Bektashi dervishes founded a monastery in the 14th Century. A place of pilgrimage for many Muslims.
open daily - 68km NW of Urgup

Ortahisar - Village dominated by a vast fortress rock, riddled with excavations and giving a great view out over the surrounding landscape.
7km SW of Urgup

Ozkanak - The most recently discovered and possibly the largest of Cappadocia's Troglodyte cities. Recent research estimates it's one time population at 60,000. Take a torch
25km N of Urgup

Nigde - Built around an 11th Century citadel, Nigde is visited for it's 14th Century Monastery. Worth a visit if you have time for its excellent frescoes and unique design
105km S of Urgup

Soganli - Another delightful church filled valley.
50km S of Urgup

Goreme | Avanos | Uchisar | Urgup | Nevsehir | Goreme Museum | Zelve | Ihlara Valley | Bits and Pieces



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