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UZUMLU Church
Pancarlęk
Valley -
Theodore Church -
Uzumlu Church -
Mazi Underground Cities -
Taskinpasa
The
Grape Church is located at the beginning of the Red Valley, to the west
of the town of Ortahisar, about 1km from the road. The fairy chimney, in
which the Grape Church is found, is hollowed out like a monastic complex
where monks lived. The lower level of the fairy chimney is the church and
the upper level is a chamber -which can be seen from outside due to the
partial collapse of the walls- with a cross relief on the ceiling.
The church has a square plan with one apse and one nave. At the far end
of the nave is a grave niche. This church is also called The Church of
St. Nichlitas due to the presence of an inscription of St Nichitas
in he dedication inscription of the church.
The nave with a flat ceiling is decorated with rich embellishments. The
orange coloured surface is decorated with a cross composed of circles and
rectangles and bunches of grape and geometrical motifs around it. The border
is embellished with medallions with Maltese crosses.
Although it is not definite, the common belief is that the church dates
back to the 8th or 9th century.
Scenes:On
the apse Enthroned Mary holding Baby Jesus and Archangels Michael and Gabriel
by their sides, on the north and south sides of the nave twelve apostles
and doctor saints.
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