Selime Monastery

Selime Monastery, a remarkable rock-cut structure and the largest religious structure in the Cappadocia Region has a cathedral-sized chapel cut directly into volcanic tuff. Original frescoes are still visible inside, although some of them have been damaged by the weather. There are signs of early civilizations at the site. Hittites and Persians, Romans. Early Christians. Byzantines. Seljuk Turks. Ottomans. Two rock columns separate the church into three sections. There are also kitchens, stables, and monks' living quarters that are decorated with old-fashioned frescoes.

Selime Monastery dates back to the 8th, or 9th centuries BC. The upper section has a mildly fortress-like appearance with well-preserved walls, trenches, steep rock staircases, and hidden passageways. The Monastery was transformed into a Caravanserai in the 10th/11th centuries. This was to provide refuge for traders and travellers who traveled along the silk route. It was created by the Seljuk Turks in order to encourage trade on the ancient road before faster sea routes were discovered. Selime Monastery was abandoned in the 16th century.

The Selime Monastery can be found 28 km from Aksary at the Ilhara Valley, in the Cappadocia area. A 2-hour hike that starts from Ilhara, takes you through the valley, following the Melendiz River, past Belisirma Village and rock-hewn churches, to the Selime monastery. You can also visit it with a Cappadocia Day Tour from Goreme.

Selime Village has a Monumental Tomb called Selime Sultan Turbe. It displays an architectural style dating back to the 13th Century AD. This is the only example in Anatolia.