Binbirkilise Binbirkilise, also known as "one thousand and one Churches," is a region in ancient Lycaonia, which is now part of Karaman province. The area boasts around 50 church ruins that date back to the Byzantine period. Situated on the northern slopes of Karadağ volcano, approximately 30 miles (48 kilometers) north of Karaman, the church ruins are scattered in and around the settlements of Madenşehri, Üçkuyu, and Değle. Between the 3rd and 8th centuries, the region was home to a significant Christian population who left behind ruins of churches, monasteries, cisterns, and fortifications. These can still be found throughout the villages, but the stone materials were reused for other buildings, resulting in the continuous deterioration of what remained. Of architectural interest are the domed basilicas of Syriac Orthodox type, built with large cut stone blocks due to the lack of wood in the region. The roofs are topped only with stone heads instead of flat wooden ones, and matronea can be found behind columns on an upper row with double clerestory windows in the apses. The narthexes of these churches almost always feature double arcades and a central column. Occasionally, paintings can be found, along with rare remnants from the Hittites, Romans, and Hellenistic periods. Infrequent traces of other civilizations that once inhabited the region also remain.