Church of Saint John

The Church of St. Jean is a two-story structure carved into the interior of a fairy chimney, located at the entrance to the Gülşehir district of Nevşehir Province. The church is situated within a Byzantine-era settlement area, and two additional rock-cut churches are found in its vicinity. However, no frescoes exist in the other churches.

St. Jean Church (Gülşehir Subprefecture, Republic of Türkiye)

Architectural Structure and Iconographic Features

The Church of St. Jean stands out architecturally due to its two-story carved structure. The lower level is cruciform with a single apse, its arms covered by barrel vaults, and its central dome has collapsed. This level also contains wine cellars, tombs, water channels, and service spaces. The decorations of the lower level consist of stylized animals, geometric patterns, and crosses painted directly onto the main rock surface using red ochre pigment. The upper-level church is single-apsed and barrel-vaulted, adorned with bands and friezes depicting biblical scenes in yellow and brown hues on a black background. Niche vaults and facades feature plant and geometric motifs. Iconographically, the apse contains a Deesis, while the façade features an Annunciation scene beneath bird depictions. Medallions in the vaults portray saints; on the south arm of the vault are scenes of the Last Supper, the Betrayal, and the Baptism; below them is the Dormition of the Virgin; on the north arm are scenes of the Descent from the Cross, the Women at the Empty Tomb, and Christ’s Harrowing of Hell. Additionally, rare for the Cappadocia region, scenes of the Last Judgment appear on the western and southern walls.

St. Jean Church (Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Türkiye)

Details of the Last Judgment Scene

The depiction of the Last Judgment begins on the right with the Scene of the Weighing of Souls. In the center, an angel is shown holding a staff and a balance scale for weighing souls. To the right of the angel are two angels holding white cloths representing souls. Opposite them, a winged, naked demon is attaching a hook to the scale pan and pulling the rope. Figures representing souls are placed on both pans of the scale. On the left side of the scene, Hell is portrayed with the punishment of sinners, priests being led to Hell by angels, demons dragging clergy into Hell, and depictions of false prophets.