SOGANLI VALLEY INFORMATIONS SOGANLI VALLEY CAPPADOCIA
This valley lies 34 kilometers away from Ürgüp and is famous with its natural beauty as well as its churches. The pigeon houses of Soğanlı, the church frescoes made by the best artists of the times, the rocks chiseled in the form of churches, and an unmatched nature are a few of the reasons why you should visit this valley.
People have dwelt in this valley since early Christianity, but the churches date back to the 9th-13th centuries. The exact dates of construction of some of these churches are known, and therefore helpful for estimating the construction dates of the other churches of Cappadocia. The churches of Soğanlı have a rather different architecture and a different iconography. They are therefore of a special importance among the other churches of the region.
Especially the ” domed churches” where the rocks have been chiseled from the outside in order to imitate the churches made of stone, are unique in all Cappadocia. The paintings of such churches, where the cupolas and their drums are noticeable from the outside, have been partially preserved.
THE CANAVAR CHURCH
Like many churches of the region, this church is also called after the dragon killed by St. Georgius, and is one of the most beautiful churches of Cappadocia. Its frescoes are dated back to the 11th and the 13th centuries. On the apsis we see a figure of Christ surrounded by Virgin Mary and St. John the Baptist. We also see a painting where Jesus distributes bread and wine to his apostles. The scene of the “Last Judgement” on the barrel-vault which covers the main hall is very detailed and well-done.
THE CHURCH OF KARABAŞ (DARK HEAD)
This church was built in 1060/61. A long inscript informs us that it was erected at the time of the Byzantine emperor Constantine Dukas, and that the best artists of the time were hired to decorate it. This church, which was built on the eve of the arrival of the Seldjuk Turks in Anatolia, has been painted by the most talented artist or artists of the age.
The most important scene of the church is the painting where Christ distributes bread and wine to his apostles, which is inside a deep niche. Beside this painting, we also find the scenes of the birth, the introduction to the temple, the crucifixion, and the descent into hell here in this church.
THE DOMED CHURCHES
These three churches, which are made by chiselling the conic rocks in imitaton of churches made of stone, are unforgettable for all visitors. They have pointed cupolas and high drums, and their paintings have been done mainly in the 10th century.
The most important of these churches is the Hidden Church where the pictures are quite devastated, but still maintain the scenes concerning St. Peter and St. Paul. The pictures showing these saints with emperor Nero, and the torture of St. Peter and St. Paul are rarely seen in Cappadocia, and are therefore important.
THE BARBARA CHURCH
The inscript of the church tells us that it was built in the first quarter of the 11th century.
The patron saint of the church was Basileus, who is thought to have been a commander on duty in this region. The researchers believe that this church is a product of the transitional phase between the ” archaic churches” where the pictures have been organized like a film strip, and the ” pillared churches” of Cappadocia.
We see here the scenes of the seven sleepers of Ephesus, the birth of Christ, the test of water, and the descent into hell.
