Affiliated with the Güzelyurt district of Aksaray province and bearing the distinction of being the largest monastery in the Cappadocia region, the magnificent Selime Monastery is located right at the end of Ihlara Valley. Guests visiting the region are welcomed by uniquely beautiful fairy chimneys and ruins carrying deep traces of Orthodox faith. The key features of Selime Monastery, which you can explore with the assurance of Red Earth Travel Agency, include:

• Multi-Civilizational History: Selime Monastery harbors the traces of numerous civilizations that shaped history, including Rome, the Hittites, the Byzantine Empire, and the Ottoman Empire.
• Architecture & Depictions: Built as a two-story structure, it features important religious depictions inside, such as the Ascension of Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary.
• Educational Center Role: One of the most important features of the monastery is that it served as the primary educational institution where clergy and monks were trained in the Cappadocia region.
• A Historical First: The first official religious service chanted aloud in Christian history was performed right here in Selime Monastery.
• Castle & Stonemasonry: Through the shaping of rocks via stonemasonry art, Byzantine-era churches were built, and the upper section of the monastery was designed as a strategic castle.

Standing as one of the most magnificent structures of history and faith tourism, Selime Monastery is a fascinating heritage that every traveler must witness.