OVERVIEW :

Göreme, which was in the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1985, attracts attention with its monastaries and churches, containing masterfully carved frescos, inspired by the iconoclastic period, stories told in the Bible, and important saints of the Christian belief.

It is thought that in the Roman period, Göreme was used as a necropolis by the inhabitants of Venessa. The churches of Durmus Kadir, Yusuf Koc, El Nazar, Saklı, Mother Mary and Kılıclar all put a spell on the visitors. Göreme Open Air Museum is where the Christian ideas of Saint Basil the Great and his brothers came together. The architectural details and mural paintings of Tokalı Church, Keşlik and Rahibeler Monasteries, The Chapel of Saint Basil, the Dark Church and churches of Saint Barbara, Elmalı, Yılanlı, and Carıklı still look as alive today as the day they were first made.

Without a doubt, some of the most important structures of Göreme Open Air Museum are The Dark Church and Tokalı Church, with the latter being made by the orders of an emperor, attracting attention with imported lapislazuli stone adornments. 

What makes the Dark Church stand out, aside from its vibrant mural paintings, is its historical architecture. Dating back to late 11th century and beginning of 12th century, The Dark Church borrows its name from the little amount of light it receives from a small window, in the section called ‘narthex.’ But lack of light has also made possible for the preservation of this church’s treasures, while allowing the frescos to withstand the test of time. Both the church and the outer passage contain the vibrant and impressive depictions of the stories told in the Bible.