Regions of Turkey: The Valley of Sylara
Fertile gorge Mylara (Ihlara, Mialara Vadisi) stretches between the extinct volcanoes Hassan, Mellendis and Gullyudag northwest from nowhere. River Mellendes struck in soft tuffs that once made up a jumper between volcanoes, a narrow winding valley of about 15 kilometers long, and erosion tried her work, turning the red rocks of the canyon in the chaos of the remains and mushrooms. Thus, this valley can be considered the southernmost example of famous Cappadocian "Peribadjalar". It is not surprising that one of the largest rock monasteries in the territory of the region is found here.
One of the most beautiful parts of the valley – an ancient village Selim, lying close to the mouth of the canyon. Many massive rock poles hide in themselves churches, a cathedral, as well as residential and household buildings, climbing on the rocks to a height of up to 70 meters. Lying the Village Valley Belisyrma So skillfully embedded in the rocks that he almost merged into the twilight with the surrounding landscape. Located in its rock complex Direction Kilis ("Church with columns") It is famous for the excellent examples of Byzantine frescoes, while the church of Kirk-ladies-Alti is uncommenting to the fifty-meter rock ("Church of many roofs"), or St. George (500 meters south of Belisyrma and 3 km from the ladder of the main entrance), was devoted to this holy one of the few Christian Emirs of the Thirteenth century, Basile Hiagupes (I wonder what the inscription on the facade expresses gratitude to the religious tolerance of the Seljuk).
The most famous of the strange villages of the valley – Mylara was the capital of the peristrem, as medieval monks themselves called this valley. Her rock temples are traces of numerous superfits and alterations, the earliest of which belong to the VI century, and the latest – by the XIV century. Equally diverse and styles for the design of her churches and temples, in which you can find both the early Christian elements and numerous Islamic and even zoroastrian inclusions. The most interesting from the churches is located near a small wooden bridge at the base of the stairs, but the most famous complex – the aguters ("Church under the trees") – Lies to the right of the bridge. The church in the shape of a cross with a central dome originally had three levels, but two of them were subsequently collapsed. But its frescoes have been preserved well and depict the scenes of worshiping the Magi and Daniel with lions (opposite the entrance to the West Day). It is here, in the central dome, discovered frescoes depicting the Ascension of Christ, made in an amazing primitive style, which has much in common with the Persian Sassanid era paintings, which once again proves the close cultural links of this vast religious complex with other regions of the ancient world. Unfortunately, in recent years, these frescoes are destroyed quickly and require careful restoration.
Church Pyurenli-Seki is 500 meters to the west, also on the south side of the river, on top tridtsatimetrovoy rock, clearly visible from the valley. It could be considered as the most beautiful temple of Ihlara, but it is very badly damaged frescoes. Nearby, almost 50 meters, is the most easily accessible church complex – Kokar-Kilis ("fragrant church") With its murals depicting scenes from the Bible. And a little further, for a small wooden pedestrian bridge, 100 meters from the main staircase, is one of the most charming churches in Ihlara Valley – Yylanly-Kilis ("Church snakes") With striking murals depicting sinners in hell. At 200 meters closer to the entrance, you can see the church Syumbyulyu-Kilis ("Church hyacinths"), Whose clearly Greek frescoes are badly damaged, but decorating a beautiful facade "blind" niches in the form of a horseshoe cause obvious association with the Cappadocia.
On the north bank of the valley, on the crest of a ridge, reaching for Gyullyudag ancient volcanoes (2143 m), lies the ancient monastic settlement Guzelyurt (Guzelyurt), founded in the IV century AD, St. Gregory the Theologian, Archbishop of Constantinople, a native of this place (officially the place of his birth is considered to be the ancient city of Nazianzos about modern Konya). The main church once a large monastery complex – Kami-Kilis, once famous for its wealth of furniture and an abundance of gifts presented by Russian emperors (carved wooden iconostasis, presented by Nicholas I, was preserved until now), is now restored, and its plan to transfer the museum. And the south of the residential areas, in the area of the Cor-Sokak, and even right in the old town, you can find still settlement of residential caves and old Greek buildings with beautiful carved facades.
And the northeast of the guezelita begins the so-called Monastery Valley, permeated by more than fifty rocky complexes with numerous churches and monasteries of the III-XIX centuries. The most interesting of them are considered the wedding rock of Yuksk Kilis ("High church") and lying in the very south enough isolated kyzyl kilis ("Red Church", VI-VII BB.) – one of the few Cappadocia churches, isolated from brick, and not from stone blocks or carved from tuff.
