Yeşilhisar Soğanlı Archaeological Sitevisitor guide.

Located in the Kayseri-Niğde-Nevşehir triangle, Soğanlı Village lies 15 km from Yeşilhisar district center inside a dramatic valley where rock-cut churches and caves blend harmoniously with contemporary village houses. The Soğanlı Archaeological Site began serving as a settlement area in the Roman Period. Romans used the rock-cut spaces along valley cliffs as burial places, whereas Byzantines converted them into churches. From the 4th century AD onward, Soğanlı became one of Cappadocia's prominent Christian centers, maintaining its preeminence through the 7th and 8th centuries. The wall frescoes in the churches stylistically reflect the 10th to 12th centuries. Beyond numerous rock-hewn churches and monasteries, Soğanlı harbors thousands of dovecotes, caves, and rock shelters. Beside rock dwellings similar to those in Ihlara, Göreme, and Zelve, Soğanlı is uniquely distinguished by its domed rock-cut churches. Established upon volcanic tuff, nearly 50 rock churches and caves exist, of which 8 can be visited today, as entrances to others were walled up in past decades. Churches feature graves, depictions of Jesus Christ and apostles, and frescoes depicting Biblical scenes. Fairy chimneys also bestow exceptional picturesque charm upon Soğanlı Valley. The churches open to visitors include: Karabaş Church, Kubbeli (Domed) Church, Tahtalı (St. Barbara) Church, Yılanlı (Snake) Church, Saklı (Hidden) Church, Tokalı Church, Ballık Church, and Geyikli Church. Handmade cloth dolls crafted by local village women and sold across Cappadocia under the renowned name 'Soğanlı Doll' constitute one of the village's chief livelihoods. DOWNLOAD MUSEUM BROCHURE NEARBY MUSEUMS KAYSERİ ARCHAEOLOGY MUSEUM GÜPGÜPOĞLU MANSION ETHNOGRAPHY MUSEUM KÜLTEPE ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE YEŞİLHİSAR SOĞANLI ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE