Inside this cone shaped rock is a church and monastery. The frescoes are in excellent condition and finished off in green and absolutely beautiful. I can still see the Christology story clearly. It's quite a distance from Ortahisar and requires a hike but we have our rented car. As in most rock-cut churches, there is a local who acts as an unofficial keeper, he collects money, keeps the place locked, and keeps out vandals. This way, he makes some money and he becomes the caretaker. Sometimes they operate a tea stand. Fine with me if these places could be protected from vandals. One can't do anything against the weather. Bernd told me that he and Olaf, his photographer friend has place some kind of shingles over a hole where water could drip into a cave and caused damage to the frescoes. Such is the dedication and love of a man for a very beautiful place.
It's pronounced 'panjarlik'. Here is Fips entering the church.
Notice they carved a dome to house the 'Christ, Pantocrator' image.
Mary and Elizabeth hugging each other after they learned of each other's pregnancy. Elizabeth, the cousin was to be St John the Baptist's mother. John the Baptist is a very important saint in the Orthodox church, him being the forerunner of Jesus Christ. It's amazing, I can make out the details of the frescoes.
Usually every space will be filled in with frescoes, the strips in between domes have usually 'roundels of saints' painted on them.
The flight of the Holy family into Egypt.
Angels, I didn't take a good enough shot of the whole thing so I can't make out what scene this was. Maybe it's the angel appearing to Mary.
Calling of Peter, James and John by Jesus, to be His disciples.
OK, this is the annunciation, the appearance of the angel to tell Mary she's going to be with child, the Christ.
Jesus calling his disciples who were fishing in the lake.
The wedding at Cana, Mary sitting next to Jesus and the drums of wine in front of them. Isn't this fun?
He has a captive audience in us. We loved it when Bernd explains what we were seeing. Instead of just looking at the frescoes and have no idea what you are seeing. He made all the difference and I strongly recommend Bernd as your guide. The local guides are Muslims and they have no sentiment where the Christian Bible is concerned. Besides they are not paid much to guide these tours, they want to rush you through and then take you to the carpet shop where he makes the big commissions. Don't waste your money on a local guide.
1 comment:
Your report is full of mistakes and stupidities; you may be right when you explain that "local" guides are more interested by selling carpets than by explaining frescoes, but that is NOT because they are Muslims. Please, respect a bit Muslims. The guy who is keeping the church is NOT an "unofficial keeper, he collects money, keeps the place locked, and keeps out vandals. This way, he makes some money and he becomes the caretaker. Sometimes they operate a tea stand". He is paid by a local association depending of the governorship; PLEASE, when you don't know about something, ASK, but do not write stupidities.
We do not need tourists like you in our Cappadocia. And don't forget than Muslims guides may know better about "Chritology" (!!!) than your Bernd and Olaf.
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