Kayseri's Cappadocia "SOĞANLI VALLEY"

Kayseri's Cappadocia "SOĞANLI VALLEY"
With rock churches, fairy chimneys and rock-carved structures, the Soğanlı Valley in Yeşilhisar has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List together with Cappadocia since 1985. The Soğanlı Valley, which has many religious structures such as Santa Barbara (Tahtalı), Karabaş, Kubbeli and Yılanlı churches, is also known for the rag dolls made by the local people.

With its churches and monasteries in the Yeşilhisar district of Kayseri, and interesting rock formations, Soğanlı Valley, an extension of Cappadocia, stands out as a rising value in tourism. In the east of the Cappadocia region, in the southwest of Kayseri city center, Soğanlı Valley is 10 kilometers from Yeşilhisar.

There are deep tuff valleys, fairy chimneys and rock settlements inhabited by humanity in Soğanlı, where interesting landforms were formed as a result of the cooling of the lava erupting from the Erciyes Mountain and Hasan Mountain volcanoes millions of years ago. Nearly 200 churches, including Geyikli, Santa Barbara (Tahtalı), Domed, Saklı, Yılanlı, Karabaş, Tokatlı and Ballık, attract visitors from all over the world in the valley that starts from Akköy Dam Lake. Those who visit Soğanlı Valley are strongly recommended to visit Erdemli village. In Erdemli, which is 10 kilometers away from Yeşilhisar, the One-nave Archaic, St. Nicholas, Forty Martyr, Bear, Mikhael, Twelve Apostles, St. Eustathios and Saray churches and Haralam Monastery are places worth seeing. Kestelic rock settlements just south of Erdemli also offer safari experiences to photography enthusiasts. In the village of Güzelöz, 18 kilometers from Yeşilhisar, which is also within the borders of Soğanlı Valley, the rock churches of Haç, Mistikan, St. Basileus, Ortaköy, St. Georgios, Panagia, St. Stratilates, and St. Barbara constitute the visit stops that tourists should not miss. In the historical region where it started to take off, those who participate in balloon tours have the opportunity to watch the rock structures from the sky. There are three restaurants and two pensions at the entrance of Soğanlı Valley. Cloth dolls reflecting the local culture and souvenirs unique to Kayseri are sold in the ruins.

Source: AKİB Actual Magazine