Christian communities moved into the Cappadocia region in the 1st and 2nd centuries AD to escape Roman persecution as the natural rock structures offered refuge and soon monastic colonies expanded. Clandestine religion thrived in the caves and underground cities which were started in Hittite times. During the 4th-5th centuries Cappadocia lay in the path of invading Arab warlords and the entrances of cave churches and monasteries were concealed efficiently.
Colourful icons were painted in the small churches but in the 8th century these were banned in the brief iconoclastic period when only red geometric forms were allowed. Most of the surviving frescos today were painted in the Byzantine period when icons were revived between the 9th and 13th centuries.
The Hidden Church was only rediscovered in 1956 and the frescos are in good condition. The church was built into the side of the top of a ridge and the entrance can only be seen when you climb down to it. Many frescos have smoke damage as the churches have been used as homes through the years.
The Apple Church has detailed frescos and
where they have fallen off signs of earlier iconoclastic designs are revealed.
Part of this church has collapsed into the valley below.
Interior of a cave church showing smoke staining and erosion.
Carved ceiling in a cave church
The cave settlement of Zelve was an important Christian community and a major religious centre. It was inhabited until the 1950's when the caves were abandoned following recurring rockfalls. The interior of the cave city is still unmapped and there is a labyrinth of tunnels and shafts to confuse the enemy.
This church ceiling is about to collapse and the frescos lost forever.
Where the side of the valley wall has fallen away it has revealed the millstone door of a church and carved pigeon nests on the right. Pigeons were kept for their droppings which provided a valuable fertiliser and hundreds of caves have nest holes.