Ihlara Valley
Central Anatolia, 40 km south of the town of Aksaray
Description:
The Ihlar Valley is a stone canyon. It stretches for more than 14 kilometers, and its depth reaches 150 meters. It is located between the villages of Ihlara and Selime. At the bottom of the canyon winds a small river Melendyz. Seventeen centuries ago, Byzantine monks lived in the canyon. They built their own cells in stone walls. In historical sources, we are talking about a settlement of 60,000 people. Monks created rock churches, some of which have survived to our time. More than a hundred shrines have been opened.
You can get there by dolmush (local minibus), rented car or buy a tour.