Blog | Cappadocia History

Cappadocia Tour (Oct 2024)

I will be co-leading a tour to Cappadocia October 9–12 2024. Please consider joining.

Robert Ousterhout, Scholar of Byzantine Cappadocia (1950-2023)

I was saddened to hear about the passing of Dr. Robert Ousterhout (1950-2023), Professor Emeritus of History of Art at the University of...

The Historical Sites of Cappadocian Fathers

In Christian history, Cappadocia is famous for two things—the 4C Cappadocian Fathers (i.e., Basil, Gregory of Nysa, and Gregory of...

The Masonry Churches of Cappadocia

The 15 masonry, rock-built churches of Cappadocia.

The Best Sites to Visit in Cappadocia

Here are the top places to visit in Cappadocia--tips for a professional history and ex-pat who lives in Cappadocia.

Koramaz Valley (Kayseri)

Koramaz Valley is a serene valley with Roman and Byzantine ruins, located15 km NE of Kayseri.

Nevşehir Underground City

The Nevşehir Underground City has two main attractions: a hilltop Ottoman-era fortress and a hillside living complex (Kayaşehir).

Kavaklıdere Monastic Complex

Kavaklıdere Monastic Complex near Urgup is a cave settlement that housed a monastic community in the 9th and 10th centuries.

Ali Reis (St. Nino) Church

Ali Reis Church is an irregular cruciform chapel in Ortahısar with splendid Pantocrator images.

Zelve Open Air Museum (Overview)

Zelve is an open valley with a large cave settlement with Byzantine era-churches.

Zelve Church 7

Zelve Churches 7a and 7b are two single-nave churches with side chapels.

Zelve Church 6

Zelve Church 6 is a square church with magnificent crosses carved onto the ceiling and side walls.

Zelve Church 4b

Zelve Church 4b is the well-preserved, 11th-century chapel in the Zelve Open Air Museum.

Zelve Church 4 (Grape)

Zelve Church 4 was the main church of the Zelve community. This large double-nave church features a variety of decorative crosses.