RouteGöreme

Cappadocia's Silk Road & Byzantine Heritage Trail

Follow the ancient Silk Road through Cappadocia's caravanserais and Byzantine monastery complexes carved into the volcanic landscape

1
Ağzıkarahan Caravanserai
A magnificently preserved Seljuk caravanserai from the 13th century where merchants rested on the trade route between Persia and Konya
2
Zelve Monastery Valley
Inhabited from the 9th to the 20th century, Zelve is among the last places in Turkey where Greek Orthodox monks lived in rock churches
3
Çavuşin Old Village
An abandoned Byzantine rock village that still contains a large early church with partially preserved 4th century frescoes
4
Goreme Open Air Museum Chapel
Walk between the Dark Church, Snake Church and Buckle Church – each packed with medieval frescoes depicting the life of Christ
5
Uçhisar Byzantine Lookout
Climb to the fort's pinnacle where Byzantine defenders once scanned the plain for approaching Arab raiders
6
Saruhan Dervish Ceremony
Participate in a whirling dervish sema ceremony in the caravanserai's great hall where the turning ritual embodies the Sufi path to divine union