Belisırma, Village in Aksaray province, Turkey
Belisırma is a village in Aksaray province in central Turkey, sitting on the floor of the Ihlara Valley along the banks of the Melendiz Stream. Stone houses and narrow lanes run alongside the water, with tall volcanic cliffs rising on both sides.
The name Belisırma has been recorded since at least 1476, and during the Byzantine period the site was active, with monks carving churches and dwellings into the cliffs. After the population exchange of 1924, the Greek-speaking residents departed, leaving many of the older structures empty.
The name Belisırma comes from the Greek word "Peristirema," meaning "beautiful view." This origin is a reminder that the area was once home to Greek-speaking communities before the population exchange of 1924.
The village is reached by following the Ihlara Valley trail along the stream, and the Belisırma entrance allows cars to drive down to the valley floor, avoiding the long staircases used at other entry points. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons to visit, as summer heat in this part of central Turkey can be intense.
The Kırkdamaltı Church, carved into the cliffs near the village, contains a fresco depicting the Seljuk Sultan Mesud II, which is highly unusual inside a Christian rock church. This detail points to a period when Christian and Muslim communities in the area shared more than just the landscape.
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