Guide To Visiting Zelve Open-Air Museum – Cappadocia Türkiye

Here is your guide to the Zelve open-air museum in Turkey. We have covered what to see in Zelve, where to go, and ideas on places to stay. 

Anatolia is a land rich in culture and history, where you’ll come across a historic settlement or the ruins of an ancient city wherever you travel.

However, if you ask, “Where should I go in Türkiye this summer?”

Cappadocia, with its picturesque open-air museum and famous locations like Pasabag and Avanos, would undoubtedly be at the top of the list. Besides being some of the oldest settlements in human history, Cappadocia is one of Turkey’s most popular tourist attractions.

And a must-see destination in Cappadocia is the Zelve Open Air Museum, a historical and cultural site known for its rock-cut houses, churches, and underground cities. If you’re planning a trip to Cappadocia for your holidays, continue reading our post to learn some tips and make the best of your trip!

Zelve Open Air Museum In Cappadocia History

Although there are few artifacts from the earliest civilizations that lived in Zelve, it is possible to trace the history of the settlement back to the ancient Hittites, who lived in the region around 2000 BC.

The Hittites were known for their sophisticated system of underground cities, which they used as a means of defense against invaders and protection against natural disasters. The emergence of the first underground cities in Zelve might have happened during the Hittite rule.

After the Hittites, different civilizations inhabited the region, and each left its mark on the area that can be seen at the Zelve Open Air Museum today. However, the first large-scale settlement in Zelve, built by Christians, thrived in the seventh century CE.

In the following centuries, Christian settlers continued to develop and maintain their settlements, becoming one of Anatolia’s most notable religious centers between the seventh and the thirteenth centuries.

The migration of Turkish nomads to Anatolia marked a significant period in the history of Zelve, intertwining with the broader narrative of the exchange of minorities between Greece and Turkey. This movement resulted in a gradual shift in the area’s demographics, where the incoming Turkish Muslim settlers began to integrate into the region originally inhabited by a Christian population. 

The historical exchange of minorities between Greece and Turkey, particularly evident in Zelve, was a crucial element of the 1924 agreement. This agreement mandated the relocation of Christians from Zelve to Greece, while Muslims from Greece moved to Turkey.

This exchange of minorities led to a dramatic transformation in the cultural and religious landscape of Zelve, transitioning it from a mixed community where Christians and Muslims lived together to a predominantly Muslim area.

Following the exchange of minorities, the Turkish settlers in Zelve expanded their settlement into the surrounding valleys, founding new villages. However, the area faced natural challenges; between 1949 and 1954, the inhabitants, due to the threat of rock falls and other natural disasters, had to relocate. This led to the creation of Yeni Zelve (New Zelve), situated 2 kilometers away from the original site.

In 1967, Zelve was converted into an open-air museum and archaeological site. This transformation served to commemorate and preserve the history of the region, particularly highlighting the period when Christians and Muslims lived together and the subsequent impact of the exchange of minorities between Greece and Turkey, which led to the Christians having to leave Zelve.

What To See In Zelve Open-Air Museum, Cappadocia

Zelve is home to many fairy chimneys, typical of Cappadocia, ancient buildings, and stunning rock-cut churches, which early Christians used as places of worship. Every corner of Zelve offers its visitors a spectacular discovery and provides them with an unforgettable adventure. Here are some of the best spots in Zelve you might want to see!

Üzümlü Church

Many of Zelve’s churches contain well-preserved frescoes and gorgeous decorations. One of these spectacular churches is Üzümlü Church, or the Church of Grape, the oldest and most significant of all the churches in the area. Üzümlü Church, located in the first valley in Zelve Open Air Museum, got its name from the red and green grapevines decorating its walls; there is also a cross carving in the church’s ceiling.

Kutsal Haç Church

Kutsal Haç Church, or the Church of Holy Cross, got its name from the cross reliefs on its walls. The enormous alcoves in the walls and beadle graves beneath the floor enhance the church’s splendor. The well-preserved church welcomes tourists into a magical atmosphere, filling them with unusual nostalgia and even homesickness for a century and a land they have never been to.

Dark Church

Although Zelve contains numerous small churches spread throughout the valley, none is as elaborate as Dark Church. The vibrant frescoes and vaulted ceiling of Dark Church offer guests a spectacular visit. The magnificent church also includes a monastic complex and a unique narthex structure.

Rock Cut Columbaria

The population of Zelve had extensive vineyards and produced wine. And since pigeon guano is a fantastic fertilizer, they built columbaria, or pigeon lofts, for pigeons to live -and poop. This way, they could obtain enough fertilizer to produce their famous wine. Unfortunately, there aren’t as many pigeons as there once were, but the structures still provide excellent sights.

Aerial View Of Zelve Valley

The last and the most majestic sight on our list is the aerial view of Zelve, including the spectacular erosion patterns that shape the three valleys. Going to Cappadocia and not taking a hot-air balloon would be a shame. So, when you’re at Zelve, take a hot-air balloon and see the spectacular Zelve valley, its rock-cut churches, and stunning natural formations from the air. Also, don’t forget to bring your camera, as you’ll have the chance to take lots of Instagrammable pictures.

What To Expect While At The Zelve Open Air Museum

When visiting Zelve, you should expect to take lots of superb pictures, see numerous historical landmarks, and discover some of the most picturesque natural formations in the world. As a part of the Cappadocia region, Zelve is home to many fairy chimneys with rock-cut houses and churches carved into them. So, if you’re interested in natural wonders,

Zelve is the best destination for your next holiday! Plus, visiting the underground cities of Zelve and making your way through the narrow corridors will offer you a glimpse into the past of the earliest communities in Anatolia, who often built underground cities to hide from invaders and raiders. Overall, Zelve is the perfect destination for seeing historical and natural landmarks.

Zelve Open Air Museum Entrance Fee

Since there is more than one archaeological site in the area, each of them might charge you a different entrance fee -for example, Paşabağlar Archaeological Site charges a fee of 65₺. If you want to visit the Zelve Open Air Museum, you pay a fee of 150₺. Also, the services within the museum, like hot-air balloons or restaurants, have differing prices. Plus, if you want to visit Dark Church, one of the most famous churches in the area, you’ll need to pay a fee of 50₺.

Visiting Zelve Tips

One of the best parts about visiting somewhere is the opportunity to discover new and different things. However, going to a foreign place without knowing anything about it is never a good choice. Therefore, we’ll give you some excellent tips that’ll come in handy during your visit to Zelve.

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Where To Stay In Cappadocia

Want to be close to the fairy chimneys, a monastery, or stay in a cave hotel? Then read the below guide on Cappadocia accommodation. 

Zelve Open Air Museum FAQs