Soganli Deresi

47km/30mi south of Ürgüp and 20km/13mi west of Yesilhisar nestles the blind valley of Soganli, cut deep into the tuff. The area is famous for its brightly colored, hand-made rag dolls which can be seen on sale all over Cappadocia. When in the eighth century the Arab general Battal Gazi finally conquered this remote valley, he gave it the name Sonakaldi, or "left until last". Large numbers of old dovecotes are to be found in the steep rock walls, many of which belonged to the monasteries. 150 churches have been discovered here, but most of them are now reduced to ruins. The churches, some with fine frescoes, are a particular feature of this valley and have been carved out of the tuff chimneys.