Ihlara

Infobox Settlement
settlement_type = Township
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = TUR
timezone=EET
utc_offset=+2
map_caption =Location of Ihlara within Turkey.
timezone_DST=EEST
utc_offset_DST=+3

official_name = Ihlara

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image_caption = Ihlara Valley
image_blank_emblem =
blank_emblem_type =

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subdivision_type1=Region
subdivision_name1 = Central Anatolia
subdivision_type2=Province
subdivision_name2 = Aksaray| population_total =
population_urban =
population_as_of =
population_footnotes =
population_density_km2 =
area_total_km2 =
elevation_m =
latd =
latm =
latNS =
longd =
longm =
longEW =
postal_code_type=Postal code
postal_code = 68x xx
blank_info = 68|blank_name=Licence plate
area_code =
leader_name =
website = [http://www.ihlara.bel.tr www.ihlara.bel.tr]
leader_name1 =
gwebsite = [http://www.guzelyurt.gov.tr www.guzelyurt.gov.tr]

Ihlara is a township with own municipality in Aksaray Province, Central Anatolia, Turkey. It is situated at about convert|40|km|mi|0|abbr=on from the province seat of Aksaray and near the town of Güzelyurt. The township is famed for the nearby valley of the same name, Ihlara Valley, which is a convert|16|km|mi|0|abbr=on long gorge cut into volcanic rock in the southern part of Cappadocia, following several eruptions of Mount Erciyes. Through they valley flows Melendiz Stream.

What is unique about this valley is the ancient history of its inhabitants. The whole canyon is honeycombed with rock-cut underground dwellings and churches from the Byzantine period.

Due that the richness of the watering possibility and its hidden form and easily to hide structure it was the first settlement place of the first Christians escaping from the Roman soldiers. In the Ihlara Valley there are hundreds of antic churches caved in the volcanic rocks. The most known churches are Ağaçaltı Church with cross plan, Sümbüllü Church, Pürenliseki Church, Kokar Church, Yilanli Church, Karagedik Church, Kirkdamatli Church, Direkli Church, Ala Church, Kemerli Church and Egritas Church.

External links

* [http://www.tulpart.com/pic.asp?cmd=1&cid=13 High Resolution Pictures of Ihlara Valley]
* [http://www.cappadociaturkey.net/ihlara.htm Pictures and info]
* [http://www.egyptiandiving.com/ihlara/ihlara.html Explorations of Ihlara Valley]
* [http://www.turkeyinphotos.com/ihlara.htm Ihlara Guide and Ihlara Photos]
* [http://www.aksaray.gov.tr/anna/anasayfa.asp Aksaray Governorship (er)]