Ösk

About 24km/15mi north of Tortum, beyond the Derekapi gorge (on the Tortum Çayi), the ruins of a Georgian fortress, Dikyar Kalesi, can be seen to the right, perched on a rocky outcrop above the village of Uncular. 5km/3mi further on a turning to the left leads west for another 5km/3mi to the little village of Çamliyamaç and the ruined monastery church of Ösk. The huge cruciform church with its dome carried on four free-standing columns, belonged to one of the most important of the region's many monasteries. Note in particular the ornately decorated octagonal column in the south gallery. The church, its facade embellished with delightful reliefs, was erected in 961. Behind it are the sprawling remains of the former monastery.