Global Treasures: Zelve Oren Yeri

Television Director: Ullman, Frank

Producer: Scarson, Peter O.

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Catalogue Number: GTR-DVD-1308

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Global Treasures - History's Most Protected Monuments - Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live today, and what we pass on to future generations. Our cultural and natural heritage are both irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration. Places as unique and diverse as the wilds of East Africa's Serengeti, the Pyramids of Egypt, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Baroque cathedrals of Latin America make up our world's heritage. Join us as we explore one of these protected monuments.

Cappadocia is one of the most fascinating landscapes in Turkey. It is the location of the Zelve Valley, which has been transformed into an open air museum. It is a strange world of volcanic tuff that was once the habitat of early Christian monks and their followers. The soft tuff facilitated the digging of hundreds of caves in which their creators lived and worked, and as the centuries ticked by even churches were carved into the rock.

A confusion of paths lead through the valley to the dwelling caves, steps, churches and dovecotes in which birds built their nests. It is a surreal rock landscape which at first sight appears to be somewhat hostile.

Zelve is known as Valley of the Monks, yet in this early Christian settlement monks lived alongside farmers and eventually Muslims in harmony.