Ihlara valley is situated 40km from Aksaray and can be reached making a turn at the 11th km of the Aksaray-Nevsehir road.
The canyon was created by the cracking and collapsing which occurred as a result of basalt and andesite lava from Mt. Hasandag’s eruption. The Melendiz river found its way through these cracks, eroding the canyon bed and helping to form canyon we see today. The Melendiz river used to be called “Potamus Kapadukus”meaning the River of Cappadocia.
Ihlara Canyon is 14km long, 100 -150m high valley begins at Ihlara valley and ends at Selime. There are numerous dwellings, churches and graves built into the valley walls, some of which are connected by tunnels and corridors.
The valley proved to be an ideal place for the seclusion and worship of monks, and a hideaway and defense area for people during times of invasion.
The decorations in the churches can be dated to various times from the 6th to the 13th centuries, and the churches can be classified into two groups. The churches near to Ihlara display frescoes with oriental influence. Those nearer to Belisirma display Byzantine type decorations.
Very few Byzantine inscriptions in this area can be read. Above a 13th century fresco in the church of St. George (Kirkdamatli), the names of Seljuk Sultan Mesud II (1282 – 1305) and the Byzantine Emperor Andronicos II are inscribed. This is proof of the tolerance of the Seljuk rulers. The best preserved frescos are to be found in the churches of Agacalti, Purenliseki, Kokar, Yilanli and Kirkdamatli.
Ihlara Valley is a 7km canyon cut into the dry Cappadocian wilderness by the Melendiz River. The floor of the gorge is lush and verdant. There are lots of rockcut Byzantine churches hidden in the vertical valley walls. It was a favourite place for early Christians to hide from Roman persecution.
After walking down the 400 plus steps to the valley floor you can proceed on either side of the small river. There were some tour groups lined up but with a valley length of 14 kilometres they soon seemed to spread out and it was quiet and peaceful.
Most tours of the valley just do the middle part of the valley, which has some good views and a nice collection of restaurants at the end, however to get the best experience try to get a guide who will take you the length of the whole valley. It will take about 4 hours, not including a stop for lunch…
We were on an organized tour and hence rushed along somewhat but all the same we thoroughly enjoyed the experience. We walked approximately 8km from Ihlara to Belisirma. You basically just follow the river between the two rock faces, occasionally stopping to admire the many churches carved into the rock and the somewhat older looking frescoes that remain.
There was a beautiful valley with stream, mysterious cave, and good for tracking. But there was too hot and dry to me. The valley's scene was good, but it wasn't satified me as I expected.
This was a wonderful place to go to on our last day. We had lunch at river side restaurant in the town of Belisirma, with our table literally on stilts in the water. We went on the hike to Ilhara and back. Not strenuous at all, return it takes three hours or you coudl o it one way and arrange…
This tour was absolutely amazing. We had a guide and it was a wonderful exploring the caves (with wall paintings). There is a stream that also runs through. It was green and blooming. I went towards the end of April at about 11pm and there seemed to be very few visitors.
My favourite part of the entire turkey trip. It was BEAUTIFUL.
After a week exploring the deserts and caves of Cappadocia, we spent a day walking through the lush verdant Ilhara Valley. What a treat. Compared to the surrounding countryside (and Goreme) Ilhara is super green because of the river running through this narrow valley, it attracts all kinds of birds and other animals.
We had the 7 km route and finished the 14 km around 3,5 hours visiting churches , taking photos and chill out.
Yilanli church is quite interesting, the canyon's panorama is amazing. We had a great time..
We have lunch in the valley by the beautiful sound of the running water in the valley then after lunch we have a short walking in this gorgeous beauty of nature nature followed by hiking up the valley to visit ancient church.