The magnificent Caravanserai of Agzikarahan is 15km from Aksaray, on the Aksaray-Nevsehir road.
Agzikarahan Caravanserai have been built and used since the 10th century. These buildings provided accommodation and other amenities for the merchants and stabling for their animals, inside each caravanserai there was also a small mosque for their religious services.
During the times of Seljuk Sultans Kilicarslan II and Alaaddin Keykubat I, the construction of these buildings increased. Merchants of all nationalities were put in the caravanserais with food and beverage all free of charge up to three nights. They could get their shoes repaired. New shoes were given to the poor, and treatment was available for the sick. If the merchants were robbed, the loss of the trades would be compensated by the states. It was the first insurance system in the world.
Agzikarahan Caravanserai
As I was walking to the Open Air Museum, I stopped in here to get a glimpse of what the my day will consist of. Fantastic sight
This is the Church of the Evil Eye and it is a quiet, infrequently visited site only 10 minutes walk from the main road to the museum from Goreme. Simply follow the signs. We appreciated the opportunity to have an unhindered look around at a place under restoration, and even though the frescoes are not up to the standard of…
What a lovely church. Just to be able to stand in a place so old as this was just amazing. frescos were amazing to see. And for free!!!
Very small church between Goreme and the Open Air Museum. Simple and lovely. Good condition. Walls still clear. There was a concierge with key who let us in and showed us round so not sure if he's there all the time, he also seemed to be a tour guide.
Well preserved, off the main road location makes this church definitely worth a visit. We went when it was closing and had the entire church to ourselves. Really worth visiting.
Of the many, many beautiful cave churches in Cappadocia, this one has not been restored on the inside and the frescoes are very damaged. From the outside it looks like a gnome cottage and stands alone in the valley where it is. You can give this one a miss with no problem. Many others are far more beautiful.
Agzikarahan Caravanserai have been built and used since the 10th century. These buildings provided accommodation and other amenities for the merchants and stabling for their animals. Inside each caravanserai there was also a small mosque for their religious services.
During the times of Seljuk Sultans Kilicarslan II and Alaaddin Keykubat I, the construction of these buildings increased. Merchants of all nationalities were put in the caravanserais with food and beverage all free of charge up to three nights. They could get their shoes repaired. New shoes were given to the poor, and treatment was available for the sick. If the merchants were robbed, the loss of the trades would be compensated by the states. It was the first insurance system in the world.
It is located on your path through Zemi valley. It is not much different from the chapels or churches you see in open air museums in and around Goreme, but still worth of seeing.
My favorite thing about Cappadocia was the bookstore that had a million used books from all the backpackers that had come through, all sorted by language, as well as quality. There was a section for “fiction” and another for “literature,” which only included books that didn’t suck. It was great.
It takes 5min from the Zemevalley enterence from Goreme side. Located on the small hill. It was closed when I visited, JAN 2011 but if you have hiking around Goreme, it is nice to visit. Famous for Fresco and world heritage of UNESCO. Ticket office locates just behind of the church.