Soğanlı Valley

 
Soğanlı, located 15 km away from the Yeşilhisar district center of Kayseri, is situated in a valley where rock churches and caves are intertwined with today’s houses. Soğanlı has been used as a settlement area since the Roman period. The Romans used the rock spaces on the valley slopes as cemeteries, while the Byzantines transformed them into churches. Since the 4th century AD, Soğanlı has been one of the centers of Christianity in Cappadocia and maintained its importance in the 6th and 8th centuries. The wall frescoes in the churches reflect the artistic characteristics of the 10th-13th centuries. Famous for the beauty of its fairy chimneys, Soğanlı has many churches and monasteries carved into the rock, as well as dovecotes, caves, and shelters.

It is also well-known for its handmade Soğanlı Dolls. An ideal destination for hiking and nature sports, the valley attracts tourists with its tranquil atmosphere and unique views. Karabaş Church, Kubbeli Church, Tahtalı (St. Barbara) Church, Snake Church, Hidden Church, Buckle Church, Ballık Church, and Geyikli Church are the prominent monuments in Soğanlı. Together with Göreme National Park and Cappadocia, Soğanlı was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1985 with the number 357 (Göreme National Park, Derinkuyu Underground City, Kaymaklı Underground City, Karlık Church, St. Theodore Church, Karain Dovecotes, and Soğanlı Archaeological Site).