Koramaz Valley Located in the central part of Anatolia within Kayseri Province, the Koramaz Valley stretches 12 kilometers in an east–west direction. This natural fault line features a base elevation of 1500 meters on the eastern end, gradually ascending to 1665 meters in the west. Multiple streams wind through the valley—some carving out smaller valleys of their own, while others vanish underground and reappear as springs. Eventually, all water sources merge into the Koramaz Stream. The valley encompasses seven inhabited villages as well as numerous ancient deserted settlements. It preserves a variety of remarkable historical structures, including pigeon houses, columbaria, mausoleums, burial mounds (tumuli), underground fortifications, natural and man-made caves, temples, and churches dating as far back as the first millennium AD. These remnants are especially significant due to their role during the conflicts between Pagans and Christians in the Roman Empire. The valley's layout and the lifestyles of its former residents reflect a strong connection with nature and history. The area is home to a total of 42 rock-carved churches and seven separate villages. The largest of these chapels measures 1.5 by 4 meters and is believed to date back to the mid-first millennium AD. Over time, several chapels were repurposed into storage rooms and dovecotes. Of the 42 churches, only four retain their original frescoes, while the rest feature tunnel-vaulted ceilings with horseshoe-shaped apses. Situated in what is now Kayseri Province in central Anatolia, the Koramaz Valley was considered a prime location for burials, thanks to its key position along outbound roads and closeness to the city center. Consequently, 21 columbaria were built within the valley. These served as collective burial sites for the ashes of lower-status Roman citizens, which were stored in ceramic vessels following cremation. Among these, 14 display domed architectural designs, and each columbarium contains at least 100–200 niches at the front and rear sections. The inclusion of wall niches used for interring remains is a defining feature of these unique burial structures. Collegia, which were social and communal organizations, were responsible for coordinating burial practices throughout the valley. However, with the shift from Pagan beliefs to Christianity, the importance of these shared burial spaces declined, and they were eventually transformed into dovecotes by inserting pipes into their ceilings. The valley also features an impressive collection of ancient structures, including hundreds of old stone houses, six historic stone bridges, 26 traditional fountains, five antique watermills, and five ancient tumuli that date back several millennia. Many of these stone homes were uniquely built atop pre-existing cave dwellings that were once inhabited. Due to its remarkable cultural and historical value, Koramaz Valley was officially included in the UNESCO Tentative List in 2020. If you would like more information about Koramaz Valley, feel free to reach out to us via email at [email protected] or simply send us a message on WhatsApp. We’ll be happy to assist you as soon as possible.