Cappadocia is about four hundred kilometers to the South-East of Ankara, this is the area with the center at the top of ERDAS Dagi (1982 m). It begins with the Ihlara canyon. Ihlara valley (Ihlara, the Byzantine name — Peritreme) canyon of volcanic origin in Central Anatolia length of 16 kilometers and a height of about 150 meters (begins at the village of Ihlara and ends at Selime). Located at a distance of about 40 km to the South of the city of Aksaray in Turkey and to the West of the city Anywhere.

A landscape which offers tourists Ihlara valley, is very different from a kind mountain landscape of Cappadocia. Indeed, here the river has formed a rocky plateau deep canyon, in the depths of which appeared rough vegetation.

In this picturesque valley is the many churches of the first centuries of Christianity of great art and also houses, in the form of caves on five thousand inhabitants, six of which are open to the public. These monuments of ancient culture look very nice on the background of beautiful nature: cheerful palette of wildflowers, rivers and rustling foliage.

The Church carved in the rock, there are about a hundred pieces. The construction of churches began in the 4th century. They were decorated with frescoes of Syrian descent, which already date back to the early years of the 9th century. In the beginning, these frescoes were malokrasochnyh (just a couple of shades of red on a white background) and is very simple in its execution. Somewhere in the early 11th century scale becomes more intense, as the ruling Syrian-Egyptian style was diluted Byzantine influence and also the influence of religious mosaics of the largest churches of that period.

Of all the churches in Ihlara valley are open to inspection only 14. But there is something to see: Symbolu the kilise ("Church of hyacinths"), Agach the Altis Kilis ("the Church under the trees"), Yilanli the kilise ("Church of the serpent"), "Agritech", "From-iliesi", "Purely Seki", "Ala kilisesi", "Bahattin Sammenligne", "Karkaraly", "Direkli" etc. Often, these names were given to the churches by local residents, but some were named in honor of the owners of the land on which they were located.

The walls of all the churches are decorated with images of saints, and various scenes from the Bible. There is not a restored image of the pre-biblical period. Many of the churches among themselves form a city in the rock - they are connected by underground passageways.

The Ihlara canyon in a reduced form somewhat similar to a well known and famous Grand Canyon in America. Big crack, like in a science fiction movie cuts through the ground and bends green snake on naked sandy plain. It seems that the mother earth revealed, released outside the valley, unable to hide more of such beauty. Ihlara is very well contrasted with the usual local hilly landscape. Among the kingdoms of huge gray stones surrounded by green spot oasis, in which the swaying crowns of the ancient trees, creating a pleasant shade. Between large boulders zip nimble lizards, slowly crawling turtles and lush greenery, chirping birds and fluttering butterflies.

About the origin Ihlara valley views among scientists strongly diverging. Some geologists claim that this giant canyon was carved by the waters of Melendez - mountain river, flowing down the slopes of the homonymous mountain. Other scientists have a completely different opinion - this fantastic canyon is of volcanic origin, but information about active volcano in this area was not recorded in any historical document.

There is, however, the most plausible third version, peaceful unite the supporters of the first two theories. According to her, this canyon was formed by the joint efforts of the volcano and the river. Out that are located on both sides of the valley are two extinct volcano covered it with layers of ash, lava, and tuff. And later the river took matters into their own hands and washed away all volcanic remains, resulting in the descendants got amazing canyon Alarskoe valley.

Among all this idyll black eyes from the cliffs watching the black points are the entrances to the cave house. The impression to consider near a huge anthill. If desired, you can also find these cave-dwellings in more detail.

Close to Ihlara, just two kilometers, is the most popular and easy descent in the Ihlara Gorge. Tourists have the opportunity to visit here in the group on day trips organized by travel companies of Cappadocia. The length of the gorge is 10 km, and its depth is 80 m. it is possible to walk. A suitable route along the river Melendiz. If walking seems too long, you can descend into the gorge via a metal staircase total of 382 steps. However, keep in mind that it's not easy. But the bottom nature has prepared for you an unforgettable gift - indescribable beauty. Nearby is a small complex for the convenience of tourists. It has a small shop, toilets, Parking, cafe and a shield with the circuit of the valley.