Churches of the Goreme Open Air Museum, Dark Church

Cappadocia Dark Church

Cappadocia Dark Church with magnificent frescoes

This is the most important ad magnificent church in the Görme Valley. Dating to the twelfth to thirteenth ceturies, although it was named ‘Karanlık’ [meaning ‘dark’ i Turkish] because it was protected naturally for centuries from the ravages of time, light and moisture because of its dark and secluded situation, its frescoes have suffered severe damage because it could not protect itself from the ravages of mankind. It is necessary to purchase a separete ticket to visit Karanlık Kilise, which only re-opened after a lengthy restoration of its frescoes. But be assured that the superb beauty of its frescoes is well worth the payment of this additional fee.

Karanlik Church has a cruciform plan, cross-ribbed vaulting, a central dome, four columns, one cetral and two small apses, and is entirely carved into the rock. In the entry area, the remains of another church from an earlier era can be seen which, despite being entirely in ruins, has geometric ornamentation that is stil visible. Passing through here, one enters Karanlık Kilise though a low, narrow door; the frescoes the church, because of the insufficient light, were executed by making use of mirrors and polished metal placards to reflect the sunlight.

In the narthex there is a large representation of Mary and Jesus among the twelve apostles, and the ceiling of the narthex portrasy the Ascension of Jesus, accompanied by four angels. Directly across from the entrace is a section that was used during the last years of the church as a burial chamber.

Upon entering the church through the narthex, one encounters the Nativity scene. In this composition we see Mary in the center, Jesus in his cradle in the upper right corner, and in the background, an ox and a donkey. In the cold stable, the ox and the donkey are warming Jesus with their breath and by licking him. In the lower left, Saint Joseph regarding this birth with an expression of amazement. On the interior of the vault directly above this scene we the Three Wise Kings presenting their gifts of gold, frankincense (an incense made from the resin of the Boswellia tree) and myrrh. Next to this composition are the four Evangelists, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, portrayed writing their sacred books. The Lord of the Universe, or Pantocrator Christ, is displayed in almost all the churches in the most central location at the highest point. Jesus is portryed making a gesture of blessing wiht one hand while holding the Holy Bible in the other. The message of the Pantocrator Christ is that Jesus is both the Creator and the Savior. Another important scene is that of the Deisis, the Pantocrator Christ with Mary and John the Baptist on either side. The Deisis frescoes portray Mary and John the Baptist in supplication to Jesus fort he forgivenss of the sins of mankind on the Day of Judgment. The Deisis fresco in Karanlık Kilise is located in the upper part of apse, within a semicircular niche.