Photos: Charlton, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0 Kyle Lamothe, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
Photo credits
Photos: Charlton, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0 Kyle Lamothe, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
Göreme Open Air Museum and the cave churches
Your local guide
Hasan Çelik
View profile
Highlights
- The rock-cut chapels of Göreme, from the courtyard
- The Dark Church, named for its one window
- Tokalı church, the largest in the complex
- How monks carved their chapels from the rock
- The early Christian history behind this valley
About this tour
This session looks at the Göreme Open Air Museum from its courtyard and exteriors, taking in the Dark Church and Tokalı church across the road. The guide explains how a community of monks carved these chapels directly into the volcanic rock and what shaped Cappadocia's early Christian history. It is a walk around the outside of a complex most visitors only see from within.
The session starts with a sound check, moves between the chapels from outside, and takes questions as they come up. A short list of the churches and their history follows once the call ends.
This suits anyone interested in early Christian history or the region's rock architecture. It also suits anyone planning a visit who wants context before walking the complex themselves.
Included
- Live video walk with a local guide
- Questions to your guide all the way
- A short list of places to visit later
Not included
- Internet connection
- Travel to the city
Itinerary
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Welcome and sound check 7 min
The guide joins the video call, checks the picture and sound with you, and gives you a quick sense of Cappadocia before heading out.
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Göreme museum courtyard 21 min
From the courtyard of the Göreme Open Air Museum, the camera takes in the cluster of rock-cut chapels cut into the hillside, and the guide explains how a community of monks carved, lived and prayed here from the rock itself.
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Dark Church exterior 21 min
Outside the Dark Church, named for its single small window, the camera holds on the carved entrance, and the guide describes the frescoes inside from photographs, since filming is not allowed in this chapel.
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Tokalı church 21 min
Across the road at Tokalı church, the largest in the complex, the camera takes in the exterior, and the guide talks through the early Christian history that shaped this valley of carved churches.
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Your questions 14 min
Time to ask anything about Cappadocia: prices, safety, food, or whatever you are curious about.
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A short list to keep 6 min
Before you go, the guide sums up with a few things worth remembering: a dish to try: Testi kebab (pottery kebab) and Göreme, worth a slower look.
Good to know
- A stable wifi or mobile connection makes the picture smoother than a shaky one.
- Any phone, tablet or laptop with a camera works. You watch, the guide does the walking.
- Times are shown in Istanbul time, so check the time where you are before you book.
- The session is not recorded, and recording it yourself is not allowed. Feel free to take your own notes.
- Ask questions any time, out loud or in the chat. The guide will pause to answer.
- Sessions run in small groups, up to 12 people, so there is room for everyone to ask something.
Questions about this tour
What will the session cover?
The guide walks through Cappadocia, showing you Göreme Open Air Museum and Derinkuyu Underground City live on camera, plus whatever else you would like to see.
What happens if my connection drops?
Rejoin with the same link within a few minutes and the guide will catch you up on anything you missed.
Can I ask the guide questions during the session, or is it a fixed script?
Anything, any time. Sessions leave room for your own questions throughout, not just at the end.
Do I need to know the history already?
No background needed. The guide explains everything as it comes up.
How it works
- You get one join link after booking.
- Join from any device: phone, tablet or laptop.
- We meet on Google Meet; the link comes with your booking. I walk Cappadocia live with my phone and you ask anything as we go.
Times shown in Istanbul time (GMT+3)
Cancellation
Flexible
- Cancel up to 24 hours before the start: full refund.
- Cancel less than 24 hours before the start, or no-show: no refund.
- If the guide cancels or the date does not reach its minimum group: full refund.
- Cancel in My Account → Bookings; the refund is calculated from the start time in the tour's local time.
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Next: Wed 4 Nov · 12 seats left From 29,00 €
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