Mazı: Underground Church and Rock Tombs

Known in antiquity as Mataza, Mazı brings together several historical perspectives in one place: the underground Mazı Yeraltı Şehri with its church, rock tombs on steep valley slopes, and graves on a plateau. Pottery kilns are also among the town’s historical features. Cultural interest thus ranges from underground architecture to burial sites in different landscape settings. Those seeking a historical focus for their trip can consider these remains by their form, location, and chronological context.

Church and Rock Architecture

A short corridor leads from the stables of the Mazı Yeraltı Şehri to the underground church. It connects the stables and the church interior within the complex. Its apse is carved into a corner, while reliefs adorn the façade. The apse is a detail of the church interior, while the reliefs belong to the façade; together, they offer a comparison between spatial arrangement and exterior design. Those interested in rock architecture can use two specific features to describe the complex. The Mazı Yeraltı Şehri was closed to visitors in 2003 due to collapses and reopened in 2015. If you are planning a visit, check current access information.

Tombs from Different Periods

Rock tombs from the early Roman period are located on both steep slopes of the valley near Mazı. Numerous Byzantine-period graves lie on the plateau. The slope and plateau thus represent different landscape settings; at the same time, the two dates allow for a comparison between the early Roman and Byzantine periods. About 300 graves of infants, children, and adults have been identified on two hills. This offers a different perspective from the description of the church: here, the focus is on burial sites and their chronological context.

Pottery kilns are also among the historical features of Mazı. In contrast to the church and burial sites, they offer a different emphasis, broadening the perspective beyond religious architecture and burial places. For culturally minded travelers, this provides a choice of different historical topics rather than a single focus.

Putting Mazı in Context as a Holiday Destination

Geographically, Mazı lies 18 km south of Ürgüp and 10 km east of the Kaymaklı Yeraltı Şehri. These figures provide orientation for choosing a location, with distances in two different directions. If you are looking for a vacation rental in Mazı, you can consider whether the town’s own historical features should shape your stay and how Ürgüp or Kaymaklı fit into your travel plans. For families, these topics can also provide a thread for conversation: Which details belong to the church’s architecture, and how do the graves differ in location and period? Building form, landscape, and history can thus serve as three different points of comparison.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Ortahisar, Kaymaklı, Yeşilöz Köyü, İbrahimpaşa Köyü, Ürgüp, Ayvali, Nevşehir, Tuzköyü Belediyesi.

For the main travel overview: Nevşehir.