Turkey Stop 24: Selime Monastery, Church of St. Mary

📍Address: Selime Monastery is located in the Selime area of Guzelyurt, Aksaray Province, Turkey. The Church of St. Mary is on the right after entering the scenic area. Follow the signs to get there. This area is undeveloped and primitive. The climbing route is a bit thrilling, suitable for tourists who like to explore. 🚗Transportation: [One] Recommended self-driving: It is about 100 km and a two-hour drive from Cappadocia. The route is mature. [Two] Many travel agencies in Cappadocia offer day trips to Selime Monastery. You can book with a local travel agency. [Three] If you take public transportation, you can take a bus from Nevsehir Bus Station to Selime Village. The monastery is next to the village, and you can walk there. 👍️Must-see attractions: In addition to the Church of St. Mary, there are several other attractions in the scenic area. The entire monastery was carved out of the stone mountain. The church, colonnade, dormitory, and other buildings are scattered. The mountain top church is located at the highest point of the monastery. The frescoes inside have oxidized and turned black. You can overlook the surrounding unique landforms from the top of the mountain. There are many cave rooms and passages inside the cave, connecting different areas. There are rows of pigeon houses on the outer wall of the cave and small niches for candles on the inner wall. Traces of life are still preserved. 🎟️Tickets: The current ticket price for Selime Monastery is about EUR 15 per person, and the price for the Church of St. Mary is about EUR 10 per person. There is an English guide. 💗Other tips: The Selime area has a similar terrain to Goreme and is a must-see place for self-driving in Cappadocia. However, if you don't have enough time, you can go straight to the beach. After all, it is a place mainly for mountain caves and outdoor climbing. Wear non-slip running shoes or hiking shoes when playing, as the slope of the mountain is steep.