Göreme National Park is a magnificent park located within the boundaries of Cappadocia, capturing the hearts of those who visit with its appeal to all five senses. Covering an area of approximately 40 km, this park is a highly touristic region. To explore this region most effectively, it may be necessary to seek assistance from professional guides. With guides, it is possible to explore the entire park in detail and obtain in-depth information. Therefore, participating in tours of Göreme national park and Cappadocia can be essential. Trips can also be organized with personal vehicles due to the vast area, offering many things to explore and experience within.
Goreme National Park Features
National park hosts nearly a million tourists every year due to its distinctive features. Covering an area of approximately 40 km, it offers a plethora of places to visit and see. Visitors can engage in walks among unique valleys, explore churches with fascinating frescoes, and embark on a historical journey among fairy chimneys reminiscent of living beings. It is among the must-visit places in the Cappadocia region.
With its magnificent features and historical structures, Göreme national park has been included in the UNESCO Cultural Heritage List. The geography of the national park provides a breathtaking visual spectacle, with plateaus, high valleys, and elevated plains offering visitors a magnificent panorama. When combined with Byzantine architecture, UNESCO was impressed and added it to the list of heritage sites. Guides can be hired to explore the park in the best possible way.
Throughout the ages, the national park, which has maintained its stance without any alteration, has been a host to many civilizations. It houses churches with frescoes that narrate the stories of civilizations. Göreme Open-Air Museum, Zelve Open Air Museum, Ürgüp, Ortahir, Uçhisar, and Çavuşin are among the sites within the park. It contains a magnificent historical richness that the whole world admires. As a national treasure, regulations have been introduced by the government to limit construction to ensure the preservation of existing artifacts. To preserve the hundreds of historical artifacts and the miraculous nature within the park, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, along with the Ministry of Forestry and Agriculture, has taken responsibility by enacting regulations.
National Park holds great importance in terms of Cappadocia’s culture and tourism. It is exceptionally rich in places to visit. The foremost places to explore within the park are the churches, where the mystical worlds of these structures captivate all visitors. To delve into the mystique of the churches, a visit to the Göreme Open-Air Museum is essential. Within this area, which has been the center of Christians for years, churches with a significant past can be explored. Notable churches such as Girls and Boys Monastery, Apple Church, Tokalı Church, Çarklı Church, Yılanlı Church, Dark Church, St. Catherine, St. Barbara, and St. Basil’s Chapels are worth a visit.
Extending from near Göreme Open-Air Museum to Kermit Hill, Zemi Valley is also ideal for a pleasant walk. While walking here, other churches come across the path. Churches like the Hidden Church (Aya Lonnes), Sarnıç Church, El Nazar, and Görkündere Churches, adorned with their frescoes, are among the must-see places. The churches within the National Park are not limited to these. A variety of churches such as Aynalı Church, Durmuş Kadir Church, Yusuf Koç Church, Yamalı Church, Virgin Mary Church, and Eğritaş Church are hosted by this park. Each church allows visitors to witness historical memories.
For those who want to witness the colors of the sunset, there are various valleys to explore. Different valleys such as Güvercinlik, Güllüdere, Bağlıdere, Kızılçukur, Meskendir offer the opportunity to see the enchanting colors left by the sunset on the fairy chimneys up close. It is highly recommended to experience the atmosphere spread around during the moments when the sun rises and sets, embracing individuals with a scenery that nourishes both the eyes and the soul.
What Does Göreme National Park Offer?
Park is one of the oldest structures from the early Christian period, with a history dating back to the 13th century. Numerous churches, chapels, and monasteries were constructed around the fairy chimneys found in the region. Many civilizations have passed through the area, where monks retreated for seclusion.
Göreme open air museum is a place you can visit with a museum card. It houses the oldest structures in the region. This area, where Christians sought refuge from Persian invasions, began to be used as an educational center. It has endured over the years as a monastery, contributing to the preservation of the architectural understanding of that period until today.
Aziz Basil, one of the most important saints of the Christian era, lends his name to this chapel. When we look at the history of the chapel, it dates back to the 11th century. The chapel is adorned with numerous frescoes, portraying scenes from the Bible. Particularly noteworthy are the drawings depicting the childhood of Jesus in this structure.
The Nuns and Monks Monastery, located in the National Park, is among the most comprehensive structures in the region. The Nuns and Monks monasteries are situated in two separate buildings.
Compared to the Monks Monastery, the Nuns Monastery is designed in a much more comprehensive manner. The monastery, used as a living space, includes various areas such as a dining hall, educational space, religious section, and a winery. The Monks Monastery is not entirely open to visitors due to natural events, and visitors can only explore two floors.
The Dark Church derives its name from the fact that it has only a small opening for light, resulting in a perpetually dark interior. Research indicates that the church was built in the 11th century. However, its frescoes are notably more robust compared to similar structures built during the same period. The reason for this is understood to be the dark interior of the building. In the Dark Church, there are not only figures related to Christianity but also depictions of the burning of three Jews and the prophet Abraham, which are noteworthy.
Tokalı Church, located in Göreme National Park, is one of the rock-cut churches, featuring four different sections. The church contains figures related to St. Basil and depictions from the Bible.
Elmalı Church is one of the churches with three apses. Like many other churches in the region, Elmalı Church also features prominent red-colored frescoes. To enter the structure, one needs to pass through a tunnel. The church, adorned with various figures including the Last Supper, is a must-see in the area.
Named after the snake figures on its walls, the Snake Church depicts naked women surrounded by snakes, symbolizing various sins. It is believed to be one of the oldest churches in the region, dating back to the 9th century.
It is located between Nevşehir and the districts of Avanos and Ürgüp. Spanning over an area of 40 km, this region is quite extensive, offering numerous places to visit. The area has become extremely popular, attracting at least one million visitors each year. It stands out among the prominent places that capture the attention of both local and foreign tourists in the Cappadocia region. With its rich history, unwavering presence, fairy chimney formations resembling lively silhouettes, and tranquil valleys that provide a sense of peace while walking, it ranks among the most visited areas.
It is located between Nevşehir and the districts of Avanos and Ürgüp. Spanning over an area of 40 km, this region is quite extensive, offering numerous places to visit. The area has become extremely popular, attracting at least one million visitors each year. It stands out among the prominent places that capture the attention of both local and foreign tourists in the Cappadocia region. With its rich history, unwavering presence, fairy chimney formations resembling lively silhouettes, and tranquil valleys that provide a sense of peace while walking, it ranks among the most visited areas.
Where is National Park Map
Göreme national park’s formation dates back millions of years. The eruption of the Hasan and Erciyes mountains in the region resulted in the spread of lava in the surrounding area. After millions of years, the eruptions ceased. The existing waters in the region dried up, and the lava formations were shaped by the influence of rivers. This process gave rise to fairy chimneys, which are quite rare worldwide.
The fairy chimneys, which have become the symbol of Cappadocia, provided a significant opportunity for people to shelter during times when technology was not advanced. With the carving of these fairy chimneys, various structures were built, serving as living spaces, churches, chapels, and shelters.
These structures played a crucial role in protecting early Christians from attacks during the Early Christian period. Hosting various civilizations over thousands of years, this area has developed a rich historical texture and was declared a national park in 1986 by a decree.
Goreme National Park Photos
Göreme National Park is a wonderful natural beauty.