Sümbüllü Church is a hictorical church located in Güzelyurt district of Aksaray province, Türkiye, on the left slope of the Ihlara Valley, approximately 20 meters above the level of the Melendiz Stream. The church derives its name from the hyacinth flowers (sümbül in Turkish) that grow around the area. Situated in a valley that served as an early Christian religious center, the church is part of a monastery complex carved into a rock formation.
Sümbüllü Church (Anadolu Ajansı)
Architectural Features
Sümbüllü Church is a single-nave, longitudinally rectangular structure. It is situated on the lower level of a two-story monastery complex. The upper floor consists of a space covered by a barrel vault parallel to the façade, accessible by a staircase. The lower part of the church's façade is roughly shaped, while the upper part is divided into five distinct units by wall piers. These units feature round-arched doors and blind niches. The façade is carefully bordered with blind arcade moldings.
A shallow dome is carved into the flat ceiling at the eastern end. Side chambers located to the north and south terminate with apses in the east. The southern side chamber has a flat ceiling, while the northern one features a barrel vault. The narthex located on the western side connects the church to the southern side chamber. Functionally, the structure embodies both worship and living areas, characteristic of a monastery complex.
Sümbüllü Church (Anadolu Ajansı)
Frescoes and Iconography
The frescoes inside Sümbüllü Church are dated between the early 10th and early 12th centuries. In the apse dome, the Virgin Mary as Blachernitissa is depicted between the archangels Michael and Gabriel. Below, a row of bishop figures is featured. On the south wall of the southern chamber, the Annunciation scene is portrayed, while the apse shows the Koimesis (Dormition of the Virgin). In the apse of the northern chamber, the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple is depicted. The main dome contains the image of Christ Pantocrator, while the south wall features the Three Hebrew Youths in the Furnace along with several saint figures.
Restoration and Conservation Works
The lower sections of Sümbüllü Church were opened to visitors in 1980. However, the upper parts remained inaccessible due to rainwater infiltration and accumulated debris. In the 2020s, cleaning and reinforcement efforts were initiated as part of restoration and architectural survey projects prepared by the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage and Museums. Under the supervision of the Aksaray Museum Directorate, the debris inside the church was removed, revealing frescoed living quarters, kitchen areas, and empty burial chambers. In this context, the structure has been evaluated not merely as a church but as an entire monastic complex.
The restoration works were carried out with the contributions of experts from the Nevşehir Regional Restoration and Conservation Laboratory Directorate. Protective measures were implemented to shield the building from external damage. After four months of work, the church was reopened to visitors with improved safety and broader access.
