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.
We visited many churches along the trail and the tea break in the middle if the valley was refreshing, and the lunch later was OK.
Drove here myself….was a bit hard to find. Followed the signs, but you felt like you were lost because the surrounding landscape looks nothing like a deep canyon until you are actually there.
If asked my first impressions of Turkey it would be – hot, dry and sandy. This was until i came across Ihlara Valley. What a little gem. This will take up a couple of hours to break up the unbelievable history that goes with Turkey. We came here on a Fez Tour and spent a good couple of hours walking…
It is the second deepest valley next to The Grand Canyon.
It's another valley for hiking, if you have enough time .. We visited with our hotel tour guide, yet we didn't have much time for the hick .. We just took nice photos from the top of the valley, & our tour guide drove us to the bottom .. We had a very lovely lunch by the river ..
We opted to rent a car rather than booking a tour to get there, since we are keen photographers.
It was worth it and we spent almost a whole day there. Something you cannot do when in a tour group.
Amazing scenery.
Its a beautiful captivating valley.Hiking by the river side through the jungle along with the sight of ancient caves is really amazing .Better to wear walking shoes because lots of walk is involved.One can enjoy the Drinks and Coffee at the restaurants with lovely huts and eye catching scenes
I didn't even want to go for a hike, but I am so glad we did! The views in the valley are amazing and the cave churches along the way are an added bonus. Definitely worth spending the time (3-4 hours) to do the hike. Also, do have lunch at one end of the valley at one of the riverside…
I arrived with a private tour organized by the hotel, and walked from Ihlara to Belisirma alone. Somehow it was not crowded and I was sometimes afraid I was lost (but was not). It could be an hour walk but I ended up with spending 3 hours.
Magnificent view in the morning in Ihlara Valley.