Ihlara Valley
CountryTurkey
Depth100 m
LengthVarious
TypeRiver gorge
About Ihlara Valley
A gorge in Cappadocia carved by the Melendiz River through volcanic tuff from nearby Mount Hasan. Its walls hold dozens of rock cut churches and dwellings, many decorated with Byzantine frescoes. Early Christian monks lived here for centuries. A footpath follows the river beneath poplar trees. One of the most visited sites in central Turkey.