Soğanli Vadisi

Located in the Kayseri-Niğde-Nevşehir triangle, Soğanlı Valley is situated 15 kilometers from the center of Yeşilhisar district, in an area where rock churches and caves are intertwined.

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In Soğanlı, it is possible to see rock settlements and churches similar to those seen in the Ihlara-Göreme and Zelve valleys, and unlike these, domed rock churches.

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The region has been used as a settlement area since the Roman Period. The rocks located on the valley slopes were used by the Romans as cemeteries and by the Byzantines as churches.

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In Soğanlı, apart from many churches and monasteries carved into the rock, there are also dovecotes, caves and shelters. In addition, the fairy chimneys located in the archaeological site add a distinct color to Soğanlı Valley with their natural appearance.

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The archaeological site became one of the centers of Christianity in Cappadocia from the 4th century AD onward and maintained its importance in the 7th and 8th centuries as well.

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At Soğanlı Archaeological Site, which is established on tuffs, there are nearly fifty rock churches, but it is possible to visit only 8 of them. The doors and windows of the other structures were walled up and closed in past years. In the churches, there are frescoes featuring images of Prophet Jesus and the apostles, as well as scenes from the Bible. The wall frescoes in the churches reflect the 10-12th centuries in terms of style.

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The churches that can be visited in Soğanlı Archaeological Site are Karabaş Kilisesi, Kubbeli Kilise, Tahtalı (Azize Barbara) Kilise, Yılanlı Kilise, Saklı Kilise, Tokalı Kilise, Ballık Kilise and Geyikli Kilise.

Sources

Kayseri Governorship

Kayseri Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism

muze.gov.tr

Places to Visit in Kayseri Address: Soğanlı, Soğanlı Köyü Yolu, 38800 Yeşilhisar/Kayseri