Between 7 and 10 million years ago, three very active volcanoes deposited an enormous amount of ash in the Urgup Basin of modern day Cappadocia Turkey. The volcanoes are now know by the names, Erciyes (3,916m; 12,850ft) Hasan (3,269m; 10,725ft) and Melendiz. The ash from these three volcanoes became a easily carved but strong rock known as Tuff that became the main building block for numerous dwelling, sanctuary, and churches of the area.

There is evidence that large underground structures up to 7 stores deep were first constructed during the Hittite Empire. These may have been expanded during the Roman conquest of the region.

During the Byzantine era, there was a frenzy of church building in the Goreme and Ihlara valleys. The resultant frescos are still easily seen in many of these "cave churches"

Seen here is the colorfully blue church of the buckle. This is an unusually large cave church that boasts some of the most colorful artwork in the region. It is interesting that you can see evidence of earlier wall decoration in areas where the plaster has fallen off the cave walls. These churches were used for a very long time.

Evidence of european influence can be seen in the "Church of the Dragon" with a scene of a knight slaying a dragon while the king and queen look on.