It is one of the most well-kept and well-preserved residential areas of the Cappadocia region. This town was known as Sinasos in ancient times. The word Sinasos is Greek and means city of the sun. The wealthiest families of the period lived in this mostly Greek town. For this reason, the houses are adorned with rich stonework and frescoes, as well as monasteries, a large bath and churches that have not lost their importance even today. However, in the population exchange made in accordance with the Lausanne Peace Treaty, forced migration was carried out, which included the resettlement of Christians living in these lands to Greece, and the resettlement of Muslims living in Greek lands to Turkey. In this town, which has a population of immigrants today, the previous cultural values and works are carefully preserved, so the traces of the recent history, the living spaces before the exchange, are presented to our eyes as a living, natural open-air museum.

It contains many churches as in the Ihlara valley. In the Cappadocia region, churches are generally built inside the rock formations without spoiling the external appearance. In the Soğanlı valley, even the outer parts of the rocks have been shaped and given a completely stereotypical appearance. In this valley, there is the serpentine church, which has a special importance in terms of painting among the churches of Cappadocia. The church got its name from the scene of St. George’s killing the snake. What makes the frescoes here special is that Jesus’ hair is depicted as white in the pantocrator “ruler of the universe” depiction on the vaulted ceiling. In this respect, this must be the only white-haired hit in the world.

Şahinefendi village is 23 km away from Ürgüp. It is known that the name of this city, which was swa swassa in ancient times, was called sobesos in the Roman and Byzantine periods. Şahinefendi village stands out with the ancient city of Sobesos, which was just discovered in 2002, and this ancient city with its mosaic decorations. During the excavations carried out so far, a bath, meeting hall, a chapel and burial chambers belonging to the late Roman and early Christian periods have been unearthed. Mosaics with sandal motifs are striking at the entrance and exit of the bud leaf shaped bath. In the meeting room, meander, swastika and braided geometric motifs made of different colored stones are located. The burial chambers are still under investigation, and the chapel is dated to the 6th century due to a coin found.

Exploring the Kaymakli Underground City provides a fascinating glimpse into the ingenious engineering and architectural skills of ancient civilizations. The city is believed to have been constructed in the 7th or 8th century BC, and was used as a shelter by early Christians fleeing persecution from the Roman Empire. The underground complex consists of eight levels, with each level connected by narrow tunnels and steep staircases.
History and architecture enthusiasts will appreciate the intricate design of this underground city. Its hidden tunnels were strategically constructed to confuse potential invaders while providing an escape route for its inhabitants. The air ventilation system was also cleverly designed with vertical shafts that allowed fresh air to circulate throughout the subterranean dwellings. Visitors can explore various rooms within the city, including living quarters, kitchens, stables, wineries, and chapels.
The Kaymakli Underground City holds great religious significance for Christians who sought refuge here centuries ago. Today, visitors can witness firsthand how these early believers survived in such harsh underground living conditions. Despite its dark past, this historical site remains a testament to human resilience and innovation. After exploring the underground city’s rich history and remarkable architecture, visitors can step out into Pigeon Valley Panorama where they are greeted with breathtaking views of Cappadocia’s natural beauty.