Güzelyurt, meaning 'beautiful homeland', formerly Gelveri (Cappadocian Greek: Καρβάλη ), is a town in Aksaray Province in the Central Anatolia region of Turkey, at a distance of 45 km from the city of Aksaray. It is the seat of Güzelyurt District. Its population is 2,570 (2021). Its elevation is 1485 m. This area is part of the ancient region of Cappadocia, near the Ihlara Valley.

History

Cappadocia has an important place in the history of Christianity and Gregory of Nazianzus lived in the area. A historically large native Cappadocian Greek population existed in the area until the 1924 population exchange (see Cappadocian Greeks), when they were replaced with the Turks from Thessaloniki and Kavala. The monastery, churches, refuge caves, and mansions attest to the culture of the Cappadocian Greek population.

Places of interest

Güzelyurt is known for having three underground cities and over 50 churches carved into the rocky volcanic landscape including: Other places of interest include:

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