Selime Monastery: the cathedral-sized rock complex

Selime Monastery is a very large rock-cut complex in the cliff above the village of Selime, in Aksaray Province, at the far end of the Ihlara gorge. It is also called Selime Cathedral because its main church is so big, and the complex holds much more than a church: a kitchen with a tall chimney cut into the rock, stables, and passages joining levels one above another. The way up is steep. None of our 80 catalogue records mentions Selime, Ihlara or Aksaray, and none gives a distance, so this guide uses general knowledge and the climate file, and uses the records only to plan the long day around it. It has no prices, opening hours or dates stated as fact.

What Selime is

The cliff above Selime is tuff, the soft volcanic rock that holds Cappadocia’s churches and houses, and here it was carved on a scale that makes the visitor stop. The name “monastery” is the one in common use, and “cathedral” is the local way of describing the size of the church. Its origins are usually placed in the Byzantine centuries, and later use is likely; sources differ on dates, so treat any single date you read with caution. Parts of the complex read as a monastery, and parts, such as the kitchen and the stables, read as a household. Some visitors call it a monastery, others a large residence or fortified complex, and from below the whole cliff face reads as one carved wall. The label matters less than the scale: this was a place built for many people and animals at once.

The parts of the complex

• The church. A large hall cut into the rock, tall enough to explain the word “cathedral”. Like most rock churches, it is a space made by removing stone, so the walls and vaults carry the marks of the carving.
• The kitchen. A chamber with a very tall chimney cut upwards through the rock, the detail most visitors remember because it shows that the complex was lived in, not only prayed in.
• The stables. Rows of stalls with mangers cut into the wall show that animals had their own part of the complex.
• Passages and galleries. Corridors and steps join the levels, and openings in the cliff face look out over the valley.
• Rooms. Smaller chambers branch off the main routes, which is part of why the complex is hard to take in on one pass.

You may not be able to enter every part. Sections can be fenced for safety, and which are open changes, so follow signs and staff and check the official source of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

The climb

Selime is a vertical complex, and the visit is a steady climb. The route is steep and uneven, steps are worn smooth in places, and there are drops beside the path. Shoes with grip are the first requirement. Do not go in wet weather or after frost, when the rock is slippery, and keep a hand on small children. It is a poor choice for pushchairs and for anyone with limited mobility. Take your time at the upper levels; there is no prize for speed, and the view over the valley is the reward for the effort.

Before you climb

• Wear shoes with grip and carry water; the rock gives little shade.
• Keep to marked routes and stay behind barriers at edges and drops.
• Do not enter closed or unmarked openings, and do not lean on old walls or rock faces.
• A phone torch helps in dim rooms and passages.
• Allow time for the descent as well as the climb; on worn steps, going down is where slips are likelier.
• Check the official source for opening arrangements; this guide states no fee or hours.

Reaching Selime and pairing it

Selime lies at the far end of the Ihlara gorge, in another province from the main Cappadocia area, so it belongs to a long day. There are three common ways to include it:

Plan	What it involves	Suits
Walk the whole gorge, finish at Selime	a full length of the Ihlara Valley on foot, with a pick-up	strong walkers with transport arranged
Walk a section, drive to Selime	the usual day: churches and lunch in the gorge, then a drive	most visitors
Drive only	a short stop at the rock, without the gorge walk	limited time, or limited mobility

Without a car, a tour or taxi is the practical choice. The 3-day itinerary shows how a day in the south replaces another, and an underground city such as Kaymaklı is often added.

Light and season

Rock faces hold heat and offer little shade. In Nevşehir, the nearest station in our climate file, the average July maximum is 28.5 °C with about 12 hours of sun a day, so a climb in the middle of a summer day is hard work and mornings or late afternoons are better. In January the average maximum is 4.0 °C and the minimum −3.6 °C, and the steps can be icy. April and May average 12 and 13 rainy days (MGM, 1959–2025). Nevşehir is not Selime, so read these as a guide. For the full year see when to visit.

Who it suits

It suits curious, sure-footed visitors who like large spaces and ordinary details; it is a sensible stop for anyone who has already seen painted churches at Göreme and wants the other side of the rock-cut world. It suits less well anyone who dislikes heights, steep steps or crowds on narrow stairs.

Where to stay

No record gives a distance to Selime. A day trip to it starts early and may end late, so reception hours matter. Five of the nine Ürgüp records list a 24-hour reception: Asuwari Suites Cappadocia, Kayata Cave Suites, Taru Cave Suites, The Calypso Cave and Ürgüp Evi. Chakra Special Caves, pictured at the top, is a cave-style hotel in Ürgüp’s Duayeri neighbourhood with valley views, a restaurant, room service and air conditioning; its record does not list a 24-hour reception, so confirm late arrival with the hotel. For the town see the Ürgüp, Mustafapaşa and Ortahisar guide. All nine are in the Ürgüp section of the hotel list. After choosing, you can book through gocappadocia.com, the regional booking platform created through the combined efforts of 175 Cappadocia hoteliers, with a best-price guarantee; this guide takes no commission.