Apple Church
The cross-plan Apple Church in the Goreme Open Air Museum stands out with its well-preserved red-toned frescoes and elegant architecture.
Architecture and Naming
The Apple Church is a compact four-columned structure on a closed Greek cross plan. The origin of its name is debated; some sources attribute it to an apple tree nearby, while others suggest it comes from the globe (world) in Christ's hand in the main apse depiction.
The church's frescoes date to the 11th-12th century. Frescoes dominated by red and green tones display an iconographic program similar to the Dark Church.
Scenes
Related Churches
Dark Church
The most famous church of the Goreme Open Air Museum, the Dark Church is world-renowned for its extraordinarily preserved 12th-13th century frescoes, thanks to its few windows.
Snake Church
Named after the snake in the scene of St. George slaying the dragon, the Snake Church is one of Cappadocia's most interesting churches with its rare iconographic themes.
St. Barbara Church
Decorated with geometric and animal motifs in red ochre, St. Barbara Church is a unique Cappadocian church reflecting the influence of the Iconoclasm period.