Tokalı Church is a group of buildings located east of the town of Göreme in Nevşehir province, within the boundaries of the Göreme Open Air Museum, and is described as the oldest known rock church in the region. The church, which is believed to have been built in the early 10th century, was carved out in two separate periods and decorated with frescoes. The complex consists of four main structures: the Single-Nave Old Church, the New Church, the Lower Church located beneath the Old Church, and the Side Chapel situated north of the New Church.

^{Tokalı Church (Türkiye Kültür Portalı)}

Architectural Features

Tokalı Church is a three-nave structure with an east-west orientation and a basilica plan. The central nave is wider than the others and covered with an elliptical dome. The side naves are narrow and covered with barrel vaults. Together with the four rows of columns separating the naves, the column system connected to each other and to the side walls with round arches forms the structural backbone of the building. Some of the arches above the columns are high, while others start at the level of the column capitals, creating a spatial hierarchy.

The main apse is located in the eastern part and is covered with a cross vault. On either side of the main apse are small apse sections (apsidioles) and smaller side rooms (pastoforion). A section built on a square plan during the Artuklu period and probably used as a bathhouse during the Seljuk period had an upper roof supported by eight pillars, but this section has not survived to the present day. Basalt, rubble stone, and brick were used as building materials in the church.

^{Tokalı Kilise (Türkiye Kültür Portalı)}

The Development Process of the Buildings

The earliest phase of Tokalı Church is the Single-Nave Old Church. This structure, with a cradle vault, is located in an east-west direction, and its apse was destroyed during the construction of the New Church. The Old Church, in its original form, measures approximately 9.04 x 11.97 meters and has gained architectural integrity with the addition of the New Church to the east. The New Church consists of the main worship area and crypt sections located on the same axis; the floor has been lowered so that the apse area of the Old Church can be used as an entrance area.

Frescoes and Iconographic Content

Tokalı Church has a privileged position among other rock churches in the region, especially in terms of its fresco decoration. The intensive use of dark blue in the frescoes is considered a distinctive feature of the structure. Most of the frescoes in the Old Church are based on the Bible, but there are also scenes based on apocryphal sources. The painting technique adopts a narrative style, creating an impressive atmosphere through the predominant use of red and green tones.

The frescoes are arranged in liturgical order, with scenes from the life of Jesus Christ divided into panels starting from the right side and progressing to the left. The vault features depictions of saints, while the walls depict the following major scenes from the Bible:

• The Annunciation, The Visitation, The Proof of Virginity, The Birth, The Flight to Egypt, The Presentation in the Temple, The Murder of Zechariah

• The Meeting with John the Baptist, The Wedding at Cana, The Miracle of the Wine, The Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes, The Raising of Lazarus

• Entry into Jerusalem, Last Supper, Betrayal, Trial of Jesus, Journey to Golgotha, Crucifixion, Burial, Descent into Hell, and Ascension

In addition, the scene of the Transfiguration is located in the upper part of the entrance to the church. The figures in the frescoes are notable for their angular cheekbones, small mouths, and prominent large noses. The frescoes in the New Church are technically more advanced and differ from other examples in the region in terms of color usage and iconography.

Usage History and Current Status

Tokalı Church has been used for different purposes throughout various periods. It was originally designed as a place of worship when it was built, but later acquired new functions with additions made over time. Today, it is open to visitors as an important cultural heritage site within the Göreme Open Air Museum. Due to its architectural features and frescoes, it is a remarkable example of Christian iconography and rock church architecture in Anatolia.