Göreme Open Air Museum: Impressive History of Religions
Cappadocia is one of the most visited destinations in Turkey. The centuries-old history of the region has made the region rich in architectural works. It is possible to say that all of the civilizations that lived in Anatolia for a time passed through Cappadocia. Therefore, it becomes possible to examine various structures built by different civilizations in Cappadocia. Perhaps one of the most interesting structures in Cappadocia is the Göreme Open Air Museum.
Göreme Open Air Museum is an important area in the region which is considered as a religious center. There are many churches and dining areas in the museum. Traveling in this part of Cappadocia will be a truly different experience for you! Because unlike other areas, you will feel that there is a thematic ambiance in this area. Let’s take a virtual tour of this impressive area! The continuation of our article will give you the feeling that you are visiting the region in a virtual way!
An Excellent Day in Göreme Open Air Museum!
As you begin an impressive Goreme Open Air Museum tour, you will see a box office. Entrance fee of an open-air museum in Turkey can be a bit higher than others. Turkish citizens can access these museums free of charge through the Muzekart application. If you didn’t come with a tour, you can get an adult Muzekart. It is possible to have Muzekart from the box office at the entrance of the museum. However, in order to access all the necessary places free of charge, we strongly recommend you to join a Cappadocia Tour. In this way, you can ensure that you are going to visit all the must be visited places and you are not going to be cheated about charges.
Above you can see the entertaining vlog of a tourist visiting Goreme Open Air Museum. We will tell you what you will encounter when you go to this region.
When you enter Göreme Open Air Museum, you will see quite high structures. Within these stone structures, there are many churches located very close to each other. These churches are generally built between the 4th century BC and the 13th century BC. All of the churches and other structures were carved into the rocks. Although the region hosts many churches, it is not open to all. This is why some areas within the museum have been closed with chains and various barriers.
The Paintings inside Churches in Göreme Open Air Museum
Most of the churches in the Göreme Open Air Museum contain various images. Symbolizing important religious moments with pictures is one of the most important features of these churches. The 2 different techniques used in the paintings made here make the paintings last longer and have an interesting vividness.
- The first technique used in the painting of the churches in Göreme Open Air Museum is quite impressive. In this technique, paintings are made directly on the rock by means of paints. When using this technique, the paintings made by corrections of the surface of the carving rocks. This painting, which is carried out by correcting the rock surface and making it suitable for painting, prevents the wear of the paint.
- The second technique used in the painting of churches in Göreme Open Air Museumis the painting types called secco (tempera) and fresco technique.
Main Churches You Must See in Göreme Open Air Museum
1. Elmalı Kilise (Apple Church)
Visiting the churches in the Göreme Open Air Museum will give you important information about history. In order to get detailed informations from a guide while visiting the place, you can check out our Cappadocia tour plans and make a reservation for one that is convenient for you. The Elmali Church is one of the most popular buildings in the Goreme Open Air Museum. The figures in the building represent the sacred scenes in which holy books such as the Bible and the Torah are found. The descriptions here are of religious importance not only for Christians but also for Jews. The apple church was built between the 11th and 12th centuries. There are 3 apses, four columns and nine domes in the church.
2. Yılanlı Kilise (Snake Church)
The Yılanlı Church contains an important drawing that depicts an important moment about Christians. St. Onuphrius was a very important monk for Christians. In addition, on the walls of this church, Saint Onuphrius was depicted with his long beard. In this description, Saint Onuphrius is depicted as a monk wandering in the Egyptian deserts. The monk wandering on a horse is a very important image for Christians.
Unlike other churches, the architectural plan of the Yılanlı Church is rectangular. It is thought that the church was built in approximately the 11th century.
3. Karanlık Kilise (Dark Church)
Unlike the other churches, this church actually receives very little light. Therefore, the interior of the church is largely dark. In order to enter the church, a passage with a staircase must be used. There are various paintings in the church that have important religious meanings for both Judaism and Christianity. It is believed that 3 important religious moments were depicted in the church. The church has three domes and four columns. It is believed that this church was built in the 11th century.
4. Tokalı Kilise
If you want to meet the oldest church made of rock in the area, then you should definitely visit Tokalı Church. The clues inside this building provide important information that the building was built in the 10th century. The church consists of 4 separate sections. In the apse of the church there is a very large picture of a sphere, and many people have resemble this sphere to a buckle. Therefore, the church was called Tokalı (Buckle) Church. The murder of the prophet Zechariah, the meeting of Jesus Christ and John the Baptist, the healing of the blind man, the ascension of Jesus Christ, the descent to hell are some of the most important scenes depicted in this church.
