Cappadocia Frescoes
Cappadocia has become a common meeting point for tourists with its natural and historical structures. Today, Cappadocia, which has become a common meeting point for tourists from many different parts of the world, is home to very interesting structures. As a result of the latest archaeological excavations and censuses in Cappadocia, more than 200 valleys, churches, underground cities, villages and caravanserais have been discovered. Especially when we look at all these churches in and around Cappadocia, they are inspired by the various features of both Anatolian and Christian geography. At the same time, in the frescoes of the churches built in and around Cappadocia, especially the Virgin Mary and Hz. The motifs symbolizing Jesus stand out. At the same time, the frescoes of the Damaltı Church in Cappadocia tell us that the first Christians lived in Cappadocia. Studies continue on the Cappadocia frescoes, which have different meanings from the churches in Cappadocia and its surroundings. At the same time, the frescoes of Cappadocia shed light on Anatolian and Christian history as a result of feverish archaeological studies.
During your visit to Cappadocia, you have the opportunity to see the churches and frescoes of Cappadocia closely through daily tours . In addition, it is possible to visit the valleys and churches with activities such as horse tour and camel tour . It was formed by the erosion of lava particles ejected by Cappadocia Hasan Mountain and Erciyes Mountain within 50 million years. We understand the history of Cappadocia, which is also older than the history of humanity, as a result of archaeological studies. Many archaeological studies are taking place in and around Cappadocia. As a result of these archaeological studies, historical artifacts found in Cappadocia have come to light.
The state that used the Nevşehir Cappadocia region most frequently throughout history was the Byzantines. The Byzantines, who accepted Christianity, opened dozens of different churches in Cappadocia in the same period. These churches ultimately meet the worship needs of the local Christian population. At the same time, church openings in Cappadocia and its surroundings began to be a cultural activity during the Byzantine period. In addition, we understand that the Nevşehir Cappadocia region was frequently used by the Byzantines as a result of archaeological studies. Because Byzantine coins of different values were discovered in and around Cappadocia. It is estimated that most of these Byzantine coins came through Byzantine merchants.
Cappadocia Frescoes and Their Importance for Christian History
Nevşehir Cappadocia became the residence of the first Christians who wanted to get rid of Roman pressure in the 3rd century BC. The first Christians found solutions to their shelter needs in the caves in and around Cappadocia. At the same time, it has met its nutritional needs thanks to water resources such as the Melendiz Stream located around Cappadocia. In addition, the first Christians lived and spread their religion more comfortably in Cappadocia and its surroundings. The fact that Cappadocia and its surroundings were the shelter of the first Christians is very important for Christian History. Because the first Christians worked carvings and motifs at different points during their Nevşehir Cappadocia adventures. When the meaning of these cavities on the walls of Cappadocia is examined, results that will shed light on the Christian history are encountered.
There are nearly 400 churches in and around Cappadocia today. At the same time, most of these churches in Nevşehir Cappadocia were built during the Byzantine Period. Considering that the Byzantines, who used the Nevşehir Cappadocia region most frequently, were a Christian state, this number of churches is not surprising. Some of these churches in and around Cappadocia are closed for sightseeing and visiting activities today. Because the erosion of centuries causes certain churches to face the danger of demolition. In this way, to prevent possible loss of life and property, churches that are constantly maintained and healthy are open to visit. Different sizes and types of Cappadocia Frescoes in the churches open the curtains of history.
The Cappadocia Churches Frescoes did not lose their importance after the region passed under Turkish protection. Turks highly valued Cappadocia Church Frescoes. Therefore, to look at the history of the Cappadocia Frescoes, it is useful to look at the ethnic and social changes after the Turkish protectorate of Cappadocia.
Turkish Domination in Cappadocia Church Fresco Histories
The Seljuk State, which was established after the Dandanakan War in 1040, has come a long way in a short time. At the same time, since the establishment of the Seljuk State, the domination of Anatolia has been adorning their dreams. The biggest factor preventing the realization of this dream was of course the Byzantine Empire. At the same time, the fact that Anatolia was one of the center points of the Christians in the 11th century indirectly prevented the Seljuk State. In addition, the Byzantine Empire applies an oppressive regime against the Turks, who continue their lives as nomads in Anatolia.
Alparslan, the Seljuk sultan of the period, declared war on the Byzantines, citing the oppressive attitude of Byzantium on the Turks.
While Alparslan rules the Seljuk soldiers and commanders, Roman Diogenes leads the Byzantine armies. The armies of both sultans came face to face on the Malazgirt Plain. In a short time, the Seljuk and Byzantine armies, which were in war order, started to clash. But the Seljuk ruler Alparslan applied a unique tactic during the war. Thanks to the “wolf trap” tactic included in the traditional Turkish war strategy, Alparslan and his army turned the Byzantine soldiers under the control of Romanian Diogenes. Alparslan predicted that the wolf trap tactic, which is also called the “crescent tactic”, would result in success in the Manzikert Plain. The Seljuk armies, after surrounding the Byzantine armies, neutralized them with arrow shots. In this way, the winner of the Battle of Manzikert was the Seljuk State.
The Turks, who opened the doors of Anatolia, succeeded in taking a large part of Anatolia under their protection with successful expeditions in a short time. Another point under its protection is Nevşehir Cappadocia. The fact that the local population consisted of Christians did not change the behavior of the Seljuk State. At the same time, the local Christian population was allowed to worship as they wished. However, the church openings, which have been going on since the Byzantine period, are prohibited. At the same time, a new mosque and madrasah were opened for the Nevşehir Cappadocia region to gain an Islamic identity. In addition, he made demands for the Turkish tribes, who continued their lives as nomads in and around Cappadocia, to settle in the region. In this way, Cappadocia gained not only an Islamic identity but also a Turkish identity.
Cappadocia Frescoes Period of Ottoman Patronage
Founded by Osman Bey in 1302, the Ottoman Empire became a huge empire in a short time. The most effective factor in the Ottoman Empire’s taking the title of “empire” is, of course, the protection of Anatolia. After successful wars in a short time, the Ottoman Empire succeeded in taking a large part of Anatolia, including the Nevşehir-Cappadocia region, under its protection. After the collapse of the Seljuk State, the people of Nevşehir, Cappadocia, who suffered from a lack of authority, the Ottoman State was like a medicine. The Ottoman Empire implemented the policy of tolerance in Nevşehir Cappadocia as well as in the lands it took under its protection. He appointed governors by strengthening the central authority of the region. In this way, Cappadocia gained a very peaceful environment during the Ottoman Empire period. At the same time, the Cappadocia Church Frescoes, which are considered important for the Christian Geography of the Ottoman Empire, did not harm the historical texture of the region. At the same time, the Ottoman State supported the local Christian people to protect the Cappadocia Churches Frescoes. The tolerance policy of the Ottoman Empire in and around Cappadocia is highly appreciated.
Cappadocia is located within the Silk Road trade route, which is considered one of the income sources of Anatolia. Therefore, the Ottoman Empire opened caravanserais at various points in Nevşehir Cappadocia. These caravanserais meet the shelter needs of traders coming from Anatolia and Europe. The traders visiting the region are doing their commercial shopping at different points of Cappadocia. Thanks to the tax system, these purchases made money flow into the Ottoman coffers. At the same time, local people had the chance to market their products. In this way, Cappadocia is among the points that lived in prosperity in the Ottoman Period.
Cappadocia Frescoes and Churches
Serpentine Church
The Yılanlı Church is located inside the Cappadocia Open Air Museum. When we look inside the church, motifs and embroideries extending from one end to the other greet us. At the same time, structures that are considered important among the Cappadocia Church Frescoes are located within the Yılanlı Church. It is one of the points of the Yılanlı Church, which includes many religious motifs, from the Cappadocia Churches. At the same time, the Yılanlı Church was built during the Byzantine Empire, which used Cappadocia the most. Yılanlı Church The Cappadocia Churches are quite inadequate in terms of illumination compared to the buildings with frescoes. That’s why the church is called serpentine today. However, the motifs and embroideries in the Yılanlı Church are quite colorful and lively. Snake Church is among the places visited by tourists visiting Cappadocia from many different points of the world today. For this reason, we recommend that Yılanlı Church be a region to add to your list to see during your Cappadocia holiday.
Buckled Church
It is not known exactly when the construction of the Tokalı Church, which is thought to have started towards the end of the 11th century, was completed. Located within the borders of Nevşehir Cappadocia, the Tokalı Church draws attention with its unique architecture. At the same time, the design of the carvings and motifs in the church is remarkable. Tokalı Church generally consists of 4 different places. At the same time, Tokalı Church is among the oldest rock churches in Cappadocia and its surroundings. In addition, the subject of the embroideries, motifs and frescoes on the Tokalı Church is also remarkable. In particular, the motifs and frescoes in the church are about St. Basil and different saints. In addition, the motifs found in the Tokalı Church are Hz. It symbolizes Jesus’ youth and miraculous events.
Carikli Church
The most important point of the Çarıklı Church, which differs from the churches in and around Cappadocia, is of course the Prophet. It is about Jesus’ ascension to the cross. At the same time, St. The important events that Jesus lived during his childhood and youth are the subject of the Carikli Church frescoes. At the same time, the Çarıklı Church draws attention with its motifs in different colors, which are embroidered throughout. During your Nevşehir Cappadocia Tour, we recommend you to visit the Çarıklı Church, which is considered very important for Christian Geography.
Apple Church
According to historical sources, Elmalı Church was built in the middle of the 11th century or at the beginning of the 12th century. Elmalı Church, which is considered to be very important for the Christian geography, draws attention in many respects. Especially when we look at the walls of the Elmalı Church, we encounter red paint. The reason why the red color is preferred in the motifs and embroidery of the church is that it comes from traditions and customs. The interest in Elmalı Church, which is considered to be very important in terms of Cappadocia frescoes, is growing day by day. Elmalı Church is among the points visited by tourists visiting Cappadocia from many different points of the world. Because Elmalı Church sheds light on Anatolian and Christian history thanks to the Cappadocia Church Frescoes.
Yovakim-Anna Church
Located on the Nevşehir Güllüdere Valley, Yovakim-Anna Church has become a common meeting point for Christian tourists. Because among the Cappadocia frescoes, there are frescoes of the Virgin Mary, which are considered important. Yovakim-Anna Church is one of the most visited churches in Güllüdere Valley when looking at the statistics. Therefore , we recommend you to visit Yovakim-Anna Church during your Nevşehir Cappadocia holiday tour. We Wish You Happy Holidays!!
