ZELVE

   ZELVE

Zelve is situated on the northern slopes of Aktepe, 1 km from Pasabag (Monks’ Valley) and 5 km from Avanos. The ruins at Zelve are spread over three valleys which also house several pointed fairy chimneys with large stems. Like the ones in Uchisar, Goreme and Cavusin, it is not known when the rock dwelling in Zelve were first inhabited, but this was an important settlement and religious  area during the9th and 13th centuries. The first seminaries for priests were established here.
The first valley of Zelve produces seven that is used in production of cracked wheat (bulghur). Balikli and Uzumlu church of the Pre-Iconoclastic Era is located here and in the eastern part of the valley there is a winery. In the second valley are rock-out caves side by side with the Holy Cross Church. A tunnel about 30 m long connects the second valley with a third valley.
The third valley contains the village square and the village mosque. The most significant feature of the third valley is the monastery complex carved in the shape of a dome. the pigeon ornaments carved along the high hillsides in this valley enhance the ruins. At the egress point of the valley, just at the bottom edge of the hillside, is Direkli Church, which reflects the early years of monastery life. The valley was populated until 1952 when it was abandoned due to erosion.