The 6 km hike in the Ihlara Valley will be the highlight of our day. The Melendiz River has carved an impressive canyon through the verdant valley and we will walk about two hours along the river, passing Byzantine rock chapels decorated with frescoes. Especially the first half of the hike where we will be the only tourists walking, is totally peaceful.
After lunch, we stop at the biggest rock-cut monastery of Cappadocia, Selime Monastery and Cathedral. Selime is the biggest rock-cut cathedral of Cappadocia and located at the end of Ihlara Valley. It has has been used as a fortress by both Byzantine and Seljuk armies during 10th to 12th centuries.
Derinkuyu Underground City. Previously known as Melagobia, this was one of the biggest settlements in Cappadocia and its 8 level underground city is the deepest of the region today. With its floors extending to a depth of about 60 m, it was large enough to shelter approximately 20,000 people together with their livestock and food stores.
