Kapadokya Bölgesi, Ihlara Vadisi'ndeki Bizans Dönemi Kaya Mimarisi

Abstract

The subject of this study is based on the Byzanatine period rock-cut architecture in Peristremma Valley. In the thesis, rock-cut churches, chapels and secular complexes in Peristremma Valley, Güzelyurt, Aksaray were examined in respect of their historical, cultural, social, architectural, iconograhpic and settlement properties.

In the previous studies, twenty churches in Ihlara and Belisırma were studied especially with regard to their paintings. However, the structures without wall paintings were left out of scope of the above-mentioned studies. The churches of Peristremma Valley are crucial for their wall paintings and inscriptions provide information about social structure of the period. Donor portrait in the wall paintings and the titles of the dedicatory inscriptions are significant indicators of presence of patronage and local elites or local aristocracy. Nevertheless, the architectural features of the churhces in the valley and presence of secular building are important for understanding the social structure and evaluating the style of settlement architecture. For this reason, the churches, chapels and secular complexes that were discovered during either the surveys carried out in the valley by us or in the registration studies performed by Aksaray Museum Management were included in the scope of this study. Consequently, thirtynine churches, seven secular buildings were evaluated in association with the social structure and settlement architecture.

This thesis aims to emphasize the place of Peristremma Valley in Byzantine art, culture and history by examining it not only with regard to the wall paintings as it was done up to now, but also including the archtitecrual and social structure to the scope of the study.