Dark Church, iglesia rupestre con frescos en bien estado en el valle de iglesias de Göreme, Capadocia, Turquía
Welcome to the Dark Church, the most beautiful rock-carved temple in the Göreme Open Air Museum, which was built in the 11th century. This structure is part of the Göreme National Park and the Cappadocia Rock Temples UNESCO World Heritage Site. It got its name because it only receives natural light from a small window in the narthex. The Dark Church is the main facility of the former monastery complex and the precursor to the later-built Apple and Sandal Churches, which, however, surpassed their successors in both design and artistic and architectural values. The church has a square cross shape, a narthex, five domes, and three apses. Under the dome of the nave are four columns. The ceiling of the narthex is decorated with images of the Ascension. Jesus is surrounded by a mandorla, which is lifted into heaven by four angels. Below them stands Mary, with angels and astonished disciples at her side. On the other side, the master painted two donors bowing at the feet of Jesus, below them Abraham and Sarah with three angels representing the Holy Trinity. The frescoes on the domes of the nave depict heaven: Christ Almighty in the middle and angels in the others. Scenes from Jesus' life can be seen on the upper walls, with saints below them. The lower walls feature quotes from the Old Testament prophets holding scrolls. To visit the Dark Church, you need to purchase a ticket for the Göreme Open Air Museum. The museum is open every day from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm during the summer season (April to October) and from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm during the winter season (November to March). The entrance fee is 75 Turkish Lira per person. When visiting the Dark Church, make sure to wear comfortable shoes as the terrain can be uneven. Also, be aware that flash photography is not allowed inside the church to preserve the frescoes. However, you can take photos without flash. In conclusion, the Dark Church is a must-see attraction for anyone visiting Cappadocia. Its stunning rock-carved architecture and beautiful frescoes make it a unique and unforgettable experience.
Location: Göreme
Source: Wikimedia
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