Cave Churches of Cappadocia
Cappadoccia, Turkey is known for its surreal landscape and the fairy chimneys. The Göreme Open-Air Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a fascinating complex of medieval painted cave churches carved out by Orthodox monks. With the Arab invasion in 10th century, Christians retreated into hidden locations— cave dwellings and underground cities. Most of the churches are fully painted inside with beautiful Byzantine murals dating from 10 to 12th centuries. These remarkable paintings are in good condition, although nearly all the eyes of the painted figures have been gouged out by superstitious locals afraid of the Evil Eye.