Yazan: Turan | 09 Mayıs 2008
Kategoriler: Turizm
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 Christ’s 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. 
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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