The Chapel of St. Basil and Elmali Church in Goreme Open Air Museum,
The Chapel of St. Basil
It is on the left side of the fountain, just opposite to the entrance. Its entrance is full of graves and the paintings are of the 11th century. The only aisle of the chapel is rectangular, with a large apse and two small apses. Inside the central apse, a portrait of Christ is visible. The paintings are on bare rock. On the northern wall, the standing figure is St. Basil. Aside to him is St. Theodore, riding a horse. On the opposite wall St. George is represented slaying a snake. Figures of the Holy Virgin and infant Jesus are painted between the two apses.
Elmali Church
This church is on the righthand side of the path leading to the center. The original entrance was up from the valley but it is not available now. The existing narrow corridor is rather recent. Elmali Church is a typical central domed church with four columns, built on a cross plan with its large and small apses. The name is given by the local people, referring to the once existing orchard nearby. The aristocrat art of the Karanlik and Carikli churches is seen in this church, too. It is quite obvious that these three churches were painted by the artists of the same school. The design of the frescoes and selection of the ornaments indicates the high quality of art. The postures of the figures are adapted to the background they are painted on. The frescoes inside the church are based on the following themes:
The Baptism, Raising of the Dead, Angels at the Tomb, Last Supper, Journey to Bethlehem, Transfiguration, Ascension, and Betrayal. Head portrait of Christ is painted on the central dome. Inside the small domes are the angels. The four evangelists (John, Matthews, Mark, and Luke) are painted just above the columns, inside the circles. On the arches the prophets are seen standing, each holding an inscription (Jonas, Moses, Daniel, Elias, David, Sabakkuk and Ambakon). Just above the entrance is the Nativity, of which only some parts are visible.
