This valley is situated 40km from Aksaray and can be reached making a turn at the the 11th km of the Aksaray-Nevsehir road.. The canyon was created by the cracking and collapsing which occurred as a result of basalt and andesite lava from Mt. Hasandag's eruption. The Melendiz river found its way through these cracks, eroding the canyon bed and helping to form canyon we see today.

The Melendiz river was used to be called "Potamus Kapadukus" which means the River of Cappadocia. The 14km long, 100 -150m high valley begins at Ihlara and ends at Selime. There are numerous dwellings, churches and graves built into the valley walls, some of which are connected by tunnels and corridors. The valley proved to be an ideal place for the seclusion and worship of monks, and a hideaway and defense area for people during times of invasion. The decorations in the churches can be dated to various times from the 6th to the 13th centuries, and the churches can be classified into two groups. The churches near to Ihlara display frescoes with Oriental influence.

Those nearer to Belisirma display Byzantine type decorations. Very few Byzantine inscriptions in this area can be read. Above a 13th century fresco in the church of St. George (Kirkdamalti), the names of Seljuk Sultan Mesud II (1282 - 1305) and the Byzantine Emperor Andronicos II are inscribed. This is proof of the tolerance of the Seljuk rulers. The best preserved frescoes are to be found in the churches of Agaçalti, Pürenliseki, Kokar, Yilanli and Kirkdamalti.

Agaçalti Church (Beneath the Tree):

The plan of this church is cruciform, with domes, a barrel vaulted ceiling and three apses. The main apse and the southern apse are collapsed. Entrance to the church is by this collapsed main apse. It is also known as the church of St. Daniel, due to the picture of St. Daniel on the wall opposite the entrance. Red, grey and yellow were used on a white background to decorate the church. The vault of the north arm of the cross is covered in various motifs. This church belongs to the Pre-Iconoclastic period or between 9th and 11th centuries. Scenes: Annunciation, Visitation, Nativity, Adoration of the Magi, Flight into Egypt, Baptism, Koimesis (Falling Asleep of Mother Mary), Daniel among the Lions; on the dome are Ascension and portraits of the saints.

Kokar Church:

This single nave, barrel vaulted church is entered by way of the collapsed apse. Beyond the nave the rock was further dug out to form a burial area. The main color of the paintings is grey. A large cross is painted on the well- preserved vault, and a hand painted within a square in the center of the cross symbolises the Triple Sanctitication and around it an embellishment, divided into 4, full of geometrical patterns. The church is dated to 9th century. Scenes: Deesis, Annunciation, Visitation, Proof of the Virgin, Nativity, Adoration of the Magi, Baptism, Three Young Men in the Fiery Furnace, Flight into Egypt, Last Supper, Betrayal of Judas, Crucifixion, Women at the Tomb, Ascension, Entombment, Pentecost and portraits of saint.