Ihlara Valley, Guzelyurt, Aksaray, Turkey
The dramatic Ihlara Valley gorge, cut by a small stream through the volcanic Cappadocian landscape 45 km southeast of Aksaray, holds about 60 Byzantine churches, chapels, monasteries and hermits’ caves dating from the 11th to 13th centuries.
Come to the Ihlara Valley, once called Peristrema, as much for the scenery and the hike as for the churches, which are small and mostly semi-ruined. The best way to visit the valley is on a day-trip excursion which includes one of the Underground Cities, the mountain town of Güzelyurt, and the Seljuk Turkish caravanserai of Ağzıkarahan near Aksaray.
Epic Turkey Culture & Adventure Route © Monika Newbound
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