Monastery Valley

Monastery Valley is an ancient site consisting of cave churches and monasteries in the Guzelyurt district of Aksaray Province. The area is regarded as the birthplace of monastic life and the setting for the development of Orthodox thought. The valley was where the majority of the Christian population chose to live during the early period of Christianity. Hence, there are almost 50 churches situated along the valley. It has long been known that Saint Gregorius Theologos made the spread of Christianity in Anatolia possible by taking Guzelyurt as its center in the 4th century. Even though the Arab invasions damaged the valley, it has been a settlement for both Muslims and Christians until the population exchange between Greece and Turkey in 1924. Today, dozens of churches and monasteries can be visited in the valley.