Göreme: MRA-TUR-Gor003

Built in the 11^th century, the church’s nickname derives from a modern legend ascribing holy origins to the footprints found on the floor below the church’s Ascension scene. The structure, carved into the Cappadocian rock, is divided into two stories, with the upper floor serving as church and the lower presenting an exceptionally well-preserved refectory. The interior space occupied by the church is supported by three columns, with irregularly-shaped walls. It employs a hybrid cruciform and cross-in-square plan. The walls of the church are covered with fresco paintings concerning Biblical events, with elegant ornamental bands, mostly executed in reddish paint, dividing the figural vignettes. Tentative dating of the frescoes on stylistic grounds places them around the 11^th century.

Sources:

https://www.cappadociahistory.com/post/sandal-church-çarıklı-kilise
http://www.goreme.org/churches/carikli/index.htm

Further reading:

Rodley, L. (2010). Cave Monasteries of Byzantine Cappadocia. Cambridge University Press.

Tucker, H., & Emge, A. (2010). Managing a world heritage site: The case of Cappadocia. Anatolia, 21(1), 41-54