Writer: Ayça Olcaytu İşçen

May 2010

The valley is approximately 6 km and it is formed with the combination of Gomeda and Üzengi valleys. The Valley attracts everyone with its churches and multi layer dovecotes and it is one of the important racecourses of the region. According to the entrance point, the beginning of the Valley named as Gomeda (comes from the historical remains at the entrance) and the last part named as Üzengi Valley (comes from the stream in the valley).

In order to reach to the begining point, you need to follow Ürgüp-Mustafapaşa road for 2700 m and then turn to right for Ayvalı Village. 2 km after the parting way, next to the fountain on the right you will see another parting way. There is a sign board of “Gomeda Remains”. If you take this road and follow it for 1200 m, you will find a small parking area for your car. After a short walking distance, you will be entering the Valley.

Just before entering the Valley on your right, you will see the remains of Alakara Church and unfortunately there is no sign board. As you enter the Valley, 200 m after on your left you will see Saint Basilios Church on the rockbound.

You may take the Valley, which has dense flora, with a comfortable tempo in 4 hours. Wearing long sleeves t-shirts will protect you against bushes and nettles. During the walking you will be following the stream and frequently you will cross the stream. Since the width of the stream is only 1or 2 meters, it is possible for you to cross by jumping over or by the help of the trees over the stream. If the season is suitable do not forget to give breaks under cherry and plump trees.

As you start walking through the Üzengi part of the Valley, you will see the fascinating dovecotes carved into the rocks. Some of the dovecotes have attractive decorations. To this part of the Valley, during summer it is possible to reach by a car by taking the dirt road from Ortahisar Pancarlık Church. After the dovecotes, the Valley becomes wider and lies down over the stream. Towards the exit of the Valley you will see on your left a mineral water spring. It is known as Üzengi Fountain. Around 15 and 20 minutes from Üzengi Fountain, you will reach Ürgüp-Mustafapaşa asphalt and end your route. If you turn left to Ürgüp direction, after 2. 5 km you will reach to Ürgüp.

Alakara Church

The Church reached its latest form with the wall, which expanded an older church carved into the rocks. The Church is with one apse and has an unused door on west wing. The apse can be reached by passing through an arched area. There are illustrations of various saints on the arches and the illustrations of Jesus Christ, 12 apostles and the angels can also be seen on the apse.

Saint Basilios Church

The Church has a sign board at the entrance and it is one of the rare churches reaching today and has frescos dating icon lasting period. There is a big cross on the ceiling. On its inscription, it is written that before Malvarian Bridge victory, Great Constantine dreamed about this cross and that’s why it caused Christianity to become official religion. The apse on the east nave of the church that has two apses and two naves is decorated with rich botanical and geometrical ornaments. Three Maltese crosses circled with pelmets attract attention here. Names of the persons, instead of depictions are written on the crosses as each represents one. The middle cross represents Abraham while the others do Isaac and Jacob.

Note: This article has been published in Peribacası Cappadocia Culture and Publicity Magazine, May 2010 issue. It is under protection of the copyrights of the magazine. No part of this article may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by electronic, mechanical or other means without prior permission from the owner. www.cappadociaexplorer.com