Aynali Church is a basilica with stone seats and fascinating frescoes carved into rock. Many travelers discover the site after exploring the Göreme Open Air Museum, as it is just a short walk up a hill. This small site is just as charming as the more famous carved churches, but with fewer crowds. Admire the intricate details in the red markings around the church and creep through tunnels connecting the rooms.
The church’s name translates from Turkish to “mirror,” which may refer to the symmetrical frescoes that decorate its stone walls or have a deeper symbolic meaning relating to self-reflection and spirituality.
Gaze up at the dome from the center of the church. Symmetrical red patterns lead from it and spread around the white stone walls. Admire the perfectly carved pillars that have withstood the test of time. Usually a doorman is present to tell you about the history of the spiritual home and provide you with a flashlight for the darker parts of the church.
Since the site is a short walk up a hill from the main museum, it is less well known than some of the other carved churches. Relish the peaceful atmosphere away from crowds as you contemplate the history of the religious cave. From the entrance to the ancient site, enjoy the remarkable vista of the surrounding terrain, which is full of caves and rock formations.
The church consists of several rooms of varying shapes and sizes. One of these areas appears to have been a meeting room, while another is a small garden with several trees and a patch of grass.
Aynali Church is next to the Göreme Open Air Museum in central Cappadocia. Follow the signs along the quaint trail from the top of a nearby hill. Walk 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) north from Göreme’s town center, where you’ll find many hotels and restaurants. The site has a small admission fee.
