The Main Basilica
Observe the rare masonry facade and the large dome structure (now partially collapsed).
The Canlı Kilise settlement flourished primarily during the 10th and 11th centuries. Unlike the remote hermitages found elsewhere, this was a wealthy and organized community. The main church building is a testament to this, built with high-quality cut stone and decorative brickwork that mirrors the architecture of Constantinople from the same period.
The settlement is divided into several residential complexes or "neighborhoods." Each complex typically centers around a courtyard and includes a small private chapel, large refectories (dining halls), and complex living quarters spread over multiple levels of the rock. The scale of the site suggests it was an important administrative or religious hub located between the Ihlara Valley and the ancient city of Archelais (modern Aksaray).
Perhaps the most intriguing aspect for modern visitors is the burial practices discovered here. Because of the dry air and unique mineral composition of the soil in the caves, several bodies buried in the church floor underwent natural mummification. These discoveries have provided historians with invaluable archaeological data regarding the clothing, health, and dietary habits of the people who lived in these rock-cut cities nearly a millennium ago.