Elnazar Church

Elnazar Church

About Turkey > Central Turkey > Cappadocia > Elnazar Church

This church is in Zemi Valley, amongst the vineyards. It is in the shape of the letter T. The frescoes are about Christ's life and other saints and were painted in the eleventh century. The church is partly destroyed by erosion, but it is worth seeing.   

This church is situated in El Nazar valley, about 800m to the right from the road to the Göreme Open air museum. This church was carved from one piece of rock in a "T" shape. It is cruciform with three apses, the main apse opening up in the centre where the barrel vaulted arms of the cruciform meet. The floor has been completely destroyed, as has part of the apse. The frescoes show scenes, which follow each other in chronological order. This church is dated to the end of the 10th century.

 

Scenes: Annunciation, Visitation, Nativity, Adoration of the Magi, Flight into Egypt, Presentation of Jesus in the Temple, Pursuit of Elizabeth, Baptism, Raising of Lazarus, Transfiguration, Entry into Jerusalem, Crucifixion, Anastasis, Ascension, and portraits of saints.