Turkey 🇹🇷Ihlara valley World Heritage Site

Turkey 🇹🇷Ihlara valley World Heritage Site It is relatively far from the main cities and takes about an hour and a half to drive. The history of the Ihlara Valley dates back to the 4th century, when many Christians fled to seek refuge in order to escape persecution by different religious groups. The canyon is about 15 kilometers long and is home to more than 100 cave churches, some of which still retain complete wet murals. In the middle of the canyon, there is a water restaurant for tourists to rest and eat. Since we are driving by car, we need to return the same way after the trip, the whole trip takes about two and a half hours. This exploration was an unforgettable experience, and I admire the ancients for their efforts to find a way to live in extreme and harsh environments. However, this is not yet the most challenging part of the trip. The next stop is the World Heritage Site in an extremely harsh environment. Turkey 🇹🇷 Ihlara Valley, UNESCO There is about a 1.5-hour drive from Uçhisar castle. It traces back to the 4th century AD, as a refuge for Christians fleeing religious persecution. Spanning 15 KM, the valley boasts 100+ cave churches, some with well-preserved frescoes. A waterside restaurant midway offers a rest stop. Walking ourselves means a return trip of around 2.5 hours. This journey was truly remarkable, admiring ancient people's resilience in harsh environments. Yet, this isn't the toughest part of the journey. The next UNESCO site is in an even harsher environment.