Zelve Valley: A Valley Home to All

Zelve Valley is the oldest and longest used residential area of the Cappadocia Region. Life continued here until recently, and in 1954 it was completely evacuated for security reasons. The people were settled in Aktepe Village, which takes its name from the mountain on which the Valley lies. It consists of Fairy Chimneys and houses carved into the rocks, as in the whole of the Cappadocia Region.

It is said that Christianity first spread from here. There are many churches and monasteries. After the population exchange in 1924, as a result of the departure of the Greeks living in the region, the Christian population in the valley decreased and the Muslim population increased with the Turks who settled in the houses. For this reason, there is a mosque in the Zelve Valley.

Zelve Valley is also famous for the pigeon nests that people carve into the rocks. For many years, they used pigeon manure in the vineyards where they made their living. The name of the valley derives from the hard and sturdy rods used to tie the oxen around the neck.

The valley can be visited as an Zelve Valley Open-Air Museum.

Opening Time: 08:00
Closing Time: 17:00