Ihlara Valley is a 16 km long gorge cut into volcanic rock in the southern part of Cappadocia. Through the valley flows Melendiz Stream. This valley is famous with the ancient history of its inhabitants. The whole canyon is honeycombed with rock-cut underground dwellings and churches from the Byzantine period. Because of the valley structure it was the first settlement place of the first Christians who escaping from the Roman soldiers. So there are hundreds of churches caved in the volcanic rocks.
