Cappadocia, one of the most popular touristic centers of our country and famous for its fairy chimneys, will fascinate and fascinate you especially with its natural beauties. Zelve valley is one of these natural beauties.
Note: The best way to experience the valleys in Cappadocia is to join Cappadocia Day Tours, which are organized privately or in groups. You can make your vacation reservations and book activities such as tours, balloon rides and horse rides on our reservation and contact page.
There are many areas you can visit and see in Cappadocia, where you will feel like you are on a movie set as soon as you step in. Cappadocia, the natural wonderland that tops the list of places to visit in Turkey, can offer you a trip you will never forget.
Among the most visited places in this region that you will never want to leave are Zelve Valley, Zelve Open Air Museum and Paşabağ Valley. If you want to get information and take a few steps to get to know the area even before you get there
Here is everything you may wonder about Zelve Valley, Zelve Open Air Museum and Paşabağ Valley!
This video is taken from the youtube account : Chris and Ester | Megalithic Wonders
Zelve Valley
Zelve Valley is known as the longest used settlement in the Cappadocia region. This valley is also the oldest settlement in the region. It is said that Christianity first started to spread here in the region. There are many monasteries, churches and settlements here. After the Christian era, Zelve Valley was used as a village until the 1950s. In those years, people lived in rock houses for a while, but then moved to Zelve Village, located 2 km away from the valley.
Zelve Valley attracts serious attention especially with its rock houses. As soon as you step here, you will be captivated by the magic of the environment and you will be able to breathe in all the sights and smells of history by imagining the people living in these rock houses long ago.
The tunnels in Zelve Valley are extremely interesting, but many parts of the valley are closed to visitors as a result of the collapses that have occurred over time. Nevertheless, there are many areas you can visit and see in the region. Even when you first enter the valley, you can be sure that the mesmerizing atmosphere will be enough for you.
If you have a plan to visit Zelve Valley, you should wear comfortable clothes and comfortable shoes on your feet. Because when you come here, you will not be able to control the adventurous and curious spirit in you and you will want to explore the surroundings. You may need to climb and walk a bit for this.
Finally, let’s talk about the location of Zelve Valley. The Zelve Valley road leaves from Avanos-Göreme road and is 1 km away from Paşabağı Valley. For those who do not know the region, Zelve Valley can be easily found on the map. You can also check our article for other places to visit in Avanos.
Zelve Open Air Museum
Zelve Open Air Museum, which is the most visited museum in the Cappadocia region after Göreme Open Air Museum, is one of the places to visit in Zelve tour lists. Many tours bring hundreds of people here every day and these hundreds of people return home with unforgettable images and memories.
Where is Zelve Open Air Museum?
This open-air museum is located 5-6 km south of Avanos district and 1 km away from Paşabağları.
Zelve Open Air Museum, which is spread over an extremely wide valley, is located in the Zelve Valley. The people who lived in the carved rock structures in the region 50-60 years ago now run shops selling things like pancakes or souvenirs at the entrance of the museum. You should not leave here without chatting with the shopkeepers and asking about their well-being.
If you come here with your car, there is a paid parking lot at the entrance of the museum where you can park your car. We also recommend that you drink water from the fountain here before entering the museum or take water with you. Because you may need water at this point where you will cross many rugged areas, especially if it is a hot day.
After you get your ticket, you can enter the museum. We should also mention that the museum card is valid here. In order to examine the surroundings in the best way and not to get lost, you can get a sketch of the open-air museum free of charge from the cashier at the entrance.
Let’s talk about what and where is inside the Zelve Open Air Museum. First of all, there are many rock churches and settlements in this region. In addition, it is possible to see a mosque in the region. Important places in Zelve Ruins are the Church with Grape and Fish, Mill, Holy Pilgrimage Church, Tunnel, Monastery and Direkli Church.
In the valley consisting of 3 sections, you can also see the monastery structure, which cannot be visited in 3 sections, but you can see it.
All these historical and natural stone structures are among the places you should definitely visit and see. Especially at sunset, you can watch these places, which host excellent views, accompanied by the flight of swallows. It is also worth noting that photography is prohibited inside the churches.
Pasabağ Valley ( Monks Valley )
After turning on the Avanos-Göreme road on the Zelve side, you can reach Paşabağ Valley just before Zelve. The heart of the Cappadocia region, which is famous all over the world for its fairy chimneys, beats in this valley, also known as the Valley of the Priests. Paşabağ Valley, home to the famous fairy chimneys, is one of the places where the formation and development of fairy chimneys can be observed in the best way. In addition, walking among the fairy chimneys in this valley, which hosts many hiking trails, will give you great pleasure.
The fairy chimneys in this valley have old and young ones. While the old ones will erode and disappear over time, the young fairy chimneys, which are adjacent to each other, will multiply by separating from each other over time. The reason why these natural wonders look like hats is that their lower layers are softer and erode quickly. Thus, the hat shape emerges.
If you are going to visit Paşabağ Valley with your car, there is a parking lot at the entrance of the valley. There is no fee in this parking lot. Moreover, you do not pay any fee at the entrance to the valley. Paşabağ Valley, which is different from other valleys, has actually been made extremely ideal for you to visit. Perfect roads have been made for traveling inside.
In ancient times, monks used to retreat in this valley, so another name of the valley is Monks Valley, and when you visit you will see that the monks are extremely right to do this. Because from the moment you step into this valley, you will definitely not be able to say no to the peace that covers you and the silence that beckons you.
The living places that the monks use for seclusion are actually quite secret. The reason for this is to ensure security. There are chapels, sitting areas and kitchens. It is possible to reach these hollowed out sections by stairs. Of course, these are not the only things that happen in the valley. Towards the interior of the region, the atmosphere and views are excellent and the tunnels here are also very intriguing.
Here you will be able to see large, conjoined fairy chimneys that you cannot see at different points in the Cappadocia region. We recommend you to walk on the stone road surrounding the fairy chimneys and feel the fairy chimneys.
We wish you a pleasant trip!