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Selime Monastery

Selime Monastery

Selime Monastery
4.5
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  • babykong
    London, United Kingdom1,291 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Worth visiting!
    A lot quieter than Göreme Open Air Museum, but just as interesting. Rather than being herded in and out of the caves, you actually have time to really explore and appreciate what you are seeing. You’re also allowed to take pictures! I would recommend that you wear sturdy footwear with a good grip, as most of the pathways aren’t level. But it’s definitely worth the (sometimes unsteady) climb there and back.
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled solo
    Written 5 October 2023
  • Q4182EUdan
    Istanbul, Türkiye121 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Well worth a visit
    This was impressive in its size and state. Well looked after and when we were there not full of huge groups visiting. This makes the whole experience more tranquil. Make sure you climb also to the church in the open space area.
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 1 November 2023
  • cutelady Baluch
    Muscat Governorate, Oman3,662 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Selime castle
    enjoyable.. we explore the space. Beautiful caves and tunnels We came here as part of a "green" tour. You should be fit for climbing up stairs and go through dark tunnels. Would have also been nice it have a good guide here that can explain the history. In front of cathedral or castle there is Selime's tomb and behind it there is a river. Amazing view from top..
    Visited April 2024
    Travelled with friends
    Written 4 May 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles414 reviews
Excellent
307
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95
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2
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These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
This service may contain translations provided by Google. Google disclaims all warranties, express or implied, with respect to translations, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and freedom from forgery.

Baggio1018
London, UK377 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2024 • Couples
Now to be fair, the monastery itself was not a scam, but if you are parking there, that is where it begins.
We parked across the road from the car park on the dirt patch - so not a car park. Yet when we crossed the road, out of nowhere a member of staff popped up demanding payment .... supposed parking fees! Not a lot (40 TRL) but it is the principle, we were not parked in the car park they maintained yet as with many areas in Turkey, tourists = walking ATMs.

From an entry ticketing perspective, they bundle in another valley point further down the road (probably bumping up the price at the same time) - no option to purchase for the monastery in isolation. Note, we drove and dropped by the second place - totally not worth the time.

Onto the monastery itself, interesting and a decent look but having been to Uchisar Castle on the same day, it was not too unique.
Written 12 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

babykong
London, UK1,291 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Solo
A lot quieter than Göreme Open Air Museum, but just as interesting. Rather than being herded in and out of the caves, you actually have time to really explore and appreciate what you are seeing. You’re also allowed to take pictures!

I would recommend that you wear sturdy footwear with a good grip, as most of the pathways aren’t level. But it’s definitely worth the (sometimes unsteady) climb there and back.
Written 5 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

nida t
12 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2020 • Friends
Selime Monastry takes place at the end of Ihlara Valley when you start walking from the entrance of the valley. This place is the end of walking path inside valley, but you are already on way to Ihlara, you will see the monastry on the side of the road. It is a religious rock cut structure having frescos inside. There are some parts you need to climb to see. The landmark dates back very early ages and it is really an important cultural heritage. Absolutely worth seeing
Written 29 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

PortiaDaisy
Whitesville, KY204 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2024 • Solo
BEWARE the parking creep man! Wish I had read this before I stopped as others have stated reference parking. You can't even get out of your car before this dude rushes up to you and demands 40TL. So I say I will park on the other side in the dirt and he says that is his also. The only two problems I have had in my week stay have been parking. I stopped outside of Urgup at a huge view point which had 3 other cars early one morning, jumped out took a picture and then tried to leave and was forced to pay 50 TL. What is with the parking creeps?

Anyway, the Selime Cathedral is the best of its type that I visited. Highly recommend. Much better that the touristed Uchisar Castle which I thought awful and a waste f time and money.
Written 1 December 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Marco T
Florence, Italy1,935 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Couples
Located right next to the ticket office of the Ihlara valley, this rock monastery, well signposted and equipped for visits with stairs and steps, is a pleasant appetizer for the much more substantial and demanding menu that will await you during your visit to the valley. With little effort you can go up and visit all the rooms of the troglodyte building. No frescoes inside, but an exploration that is not without interest.
Google
Written 8 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

hatijyoumaki
Saitama Prefecture, Japan497 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2024 • Couples
It is the largest religious building in Cappadocia and is located at the end of the Uhurara Valley.
There appear to have been various civilizations around here, including Hittites, Assyrians, Persians, Romans, Byzantines, Danishmen, Seljuks and Ottomans.

This cave monastery was built in the 8th and 9th centuries and had frescoes painted in the 10th and 11th centuries near the ceiling.

A number of clergy studied at the monastery. At the same time, a recent study said it doubled as a military installation.

I climbed up a bit, but it didn't feel that hard.
It's a must-see.
Automatically translated
Written 22 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Guillaumedu65
Tarbes, France499 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
July 2023 • Friends
This monastery located high up on several floors contains several rooms and several functions. We recognize the kitchen with a hole for the tandoor and the chimney for smoke evacuation. There is also the place to make wine, a church, dovecotes.
Google
Written 2 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Q4182EUdan
Istanbul, Türkiye121 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Family
This was impressive in its size and state. Well looked after and when we were there not full of huge groups visiting. This makes the whole experience more tranquil. Make sure you climb also to the church in the open space area.
Written 1 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Iva S
Prague, Czech Republic700 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2022
26. 8. 2022 We went through almost all the rock towns and churches in Selime. Splendor. These places are really worth visiting and walking through. I recommend. More Youtube travel video PSIS-visit. Iva+Petr Prague CZ.
Written 24 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

dcablo
la massana, andorra7,306 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2023 • Couples
I wasn't expecting much from this visit and it was really what I liked most about Cappadocia. Impressive to see the work created in the rock. The fact that there are much fewer people than in the Goreme area also helps to make the visit more pleasant. Joint entrance with the Ilhara Valley, 330 lira. Parking 20 lira
Google
Written 15 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Selime Monastery - All You MUST Know Before You Go (2024)

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