Ihlara Valley Canyon and Panaroma Tour
Guided Tours
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Ihlara Valley Canyon and Panaroma Tour
Guided Tours
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Ihlara Valley, which is frequently written as Ilhara Valley, is a canyon with a depth of around 100 meters and was created by the Melendiz River thousands of years ago. It is located close to Mount Hasan and Mount Melendiz, two of Cappadocia's three volcanoes. After making 26 bends over a distance of 14 kilometers, it starts at Ihlara hamlet and concludes at Selime village with Selime Monastery.
The valley is thought to have included around 4,000 homes as well as one hundred fresco-adorned cave churches. Ihlara Valley used to be home to about 80,000 people.
Walking through the Ihlara Valley past the vineyards, poplar, and pistachio trees while listening to the Melendiz River's tranquil rushing water and being surrounded by a variety of wildlife, including lizards, frogs, butterflies, birds, and occasionally eagles as well as other mammals like lambs and sheep, is a very relaxing experience.
About The Ihlara Valley Canyon and Panaroma Tour
Mobile ticketing - No need for printed voucher, we're digital!
Duration - Approximately 7 hours
Number of Passengers - 1 and more
Instant confirmation - Requires reservation at least 24 hours in advance.
Highlights
Exploring the ancient history of the Ihlara Valley and its churches
Discovering a new way to learn more about Cappadocia
Includes and Excludes
7 Hour of Private Tour
Transfer from/to Hotel
Lunch
Details
Ihlara Valley, which is frequently written as Ilhara Valley, is a canyon with a depth of around 100 meters and was created by the Melendiz River thousands of years ago. It is located close to Mount Hasan and Mount Melendiz, two of Cappadocia's three volcanoes. After making 26 bends over a distance of 14 kilometers, it starts at Ihlara hamlet and concludes at Selime village with Selime Monastery.
The valley is thought to have included around 4,000 homes as well as one hundred fresco-adorned cave churches. Ihlara Valley used to be home to about 80,000 people.
Walking through the Ihlara Valley past the vineyards, poplar, and pistachio trees while listening to the Melendiz River's tranquil rushing water and being surrounded by a variety of wildlife, including lizards, frogs, butterflies, birds, and occasionally eagles as well as other mammals like lambs and sheep, is a very relaxing experience.
In Ihlara Valley, there are a lot of cave churches. Most of them portray scenes that are distinct from those seen in other Cappadocian churches. They actually resemble the first churches in Syria and Egypt's Coptic churches. Ihlara churches have extremely long texts.
The following are a few of the Ihlara Valley's most significant churches:
Kilise Kokar (The Smelly Church)
Between Ihlara Village and the main entrance, in the first quarter of the valley, is the Kokar Kilise (The Smelly Church). It can be accessed via a decrepit apse. A landslide blocked the original entrance. The walls of Kokar Kilise are covered in a variety of frescoes. The scenes of the Annunciation, Visitation, Virgin's Proof, Nativity, and Magi's Adoration can be seen on the left. The Last Supper, the Betrayal, Jesus being led away, Jesus appearing before Annas and Caiaphos, the Crucifixion, and the Entombment can all be seen on the right. A Deesis on the door facing the entrance that depicts events from The Last Supper and the Flight to Egypt was severely damaged when apertures for windows and a door leading into the burial room were created considerably later. The Ascension, the Pentecost, and a large Greek cross with God's hand bestowing blessings in the center are all depicted on the ceiling. In addition, some frescoes show the apostles sitting and standing on either side of the lower portions of the vaulting.
Kilisesi Purenli Seki (Church with the Terrace)
A hundred meters or so from Kokar Kilise in the first quarter of the valley is where you'll also find Purenli Seki Kilisesi. About 25 meters above the river's level, you must ascend. The structure consists of an entrance, a burial chamber, and a double naos that are all divided by pillared arcades that have an apse in each one. The church is decorated in "archaic" paintings, although they are distinguished by fine details, a strong sense of design, and astounding freedom of expression.Kilise Agacalti (Church under the Tree)
You will be 10 meters from the church when you turn right at the bottom of the stairs from the main entrance. When you enter the church through the damaged arch, you will be in for a surprise because it has an entirely different style of architecture. With its harmoniously contrasting colors of red, green, and yellow, the subjects of its paintings, and its decoration of flowers, rosettes, and checkerboard patterns, all of which reveal a strong eastern influence, this church stands out from other Byzantine churches in Cappadocia from the 10th and 11th centuries. The Church features a free cross-architectural layout and is referred to as the Church of Daniel or Pantassa.
On the opposite wall of the entrance is a fresco of Daniel in the Lion's Den. The Annunciation, the Visitation, the Nativity, and the Magi are shown on the left cross-arm. The Baptism, the Dormition, and the Flight into Egypt are depicted on the right cross-arm. The Dormition of the Virgin (Koimesis) is exceptional in Cappadocia. There are two scenes in it. In the opening scene, Mary is lying on a bed while Christ and St. John work to save her soul from a seat on one side of the bed. Christ is pictured cradling his mother's soul in the scenario above, with an angel standing behind him.
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Ihlara Valley Canyon and Panaroma Tour Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring my children or the elderly to this tour?
Do I need any equipment?
The tour does not require equipment other than your desire to record the unique experience. So, if you wish to record the memories and keep them forever professionally, you might bring some good-quality cameras along with you.
Should I make a booking in advance?
Yes, this tour requires reservation. So be sure that you make one beforehand.
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Yes. The tour is available and suitable for everyone desiring to explore. The only thing you should watch out for is the duration, which is seven hours. If your loved ones are okay with traveling for around seven hours, they are surely welcome!