Hierapolis

We walked pass Hierapolis to go to cotton castle. Founded by Eumenes II, king of Pergamum, it was ceded to Rome in 133 BC. It is now a World Heritage site.

A well preserved drainage system

Caravanserais

Caravanserais were  roadside inns built in Seljuk and Ottoman times to protect merchants travelling the caravan routes that crossed  Anatolia along the Roman-Byzantine road system. 

Caravanserais are now turned into hotels and restaurants

Mevlana Museum, Konya

Celaleddin Rumi was a 13th century great Islamic philosopher. He was later known as Mevlana (Our Guide) to his followers.

The famous green-tiled dome

The Ablutions Fountain

Courtyard

Mevlana's Tomb

Coffins of eminent dervishes

Two ladies reciting  the Quran

A man praying in front of the box containing the Holy Beard of Muhamad

The Whirling Dervishes

Turkish school children visiting the Museum

Turkish Traditional Dance

Village beside the Kaymakli Underground City

We took a walk to the village beside the underground city. It was very quiet with run down houses.

Kaymakli Underground City

This city was built by the people who converted to christianity to avoid persecution during the 6th to 9th century. They used this place as a a shelter and a safe place for worship.

This millstone used to act as a door to block the tunnel. A wedge is used to hold it in place when rolled across the tunnel  and therefore it can only be opened from the inside.



Snake Church

Also known as the Church of St Onouphrios.

St Onouphrios, St Thomas and St Basil

St Onouphrios was once a beautiful woman who got tired of the men's attention and asked God to save her. Her prayers were answered and she was turned into an ugly old man. That is why she is depicted as a half man an d half woman.

St George

Sandal Church

Dark Church

It took its name from the fact that it originally had very few windows and this has  helped to preserve its frescoes.

The entrance to the church