Turkey: Cappadocia – Zelve Open Air Museum (Revisited)

Besides Goreme, there is another open air museum in Cappadocia – Zelve Open Air Museum. This one actually functioned as a cave city and was inhabited all the way until 1952. It probably began as a monastic settlement back in the 9th century and existed through ages and changing civilizations, religions, and inhabitants. There are many points of interest here – from the Uzumli Kilise (Grape Church) to the rock-cut mosque, to elaborate pigeon houses adorned with Islamic calligraphy. And there are tons of various small cave houses and dwellings that you can explore like some treasure hunter.