About 15km/9.5mi northwest of Ürgüp between Göreme and Avanos a road leads westwards to the small village of Zelve set in a remote hollow. Two tiny valleys with steep rock sides shelter countless cave dwellings and monasteries. As the valley was and still is threatened by rock falls, the cave-dwellers were moved to a new settlement. The rock
mosque with a simple prayer recess and also an interesting minaret made of tuff (formerly the bell-tower) marks the site of the old settlement. One well-known sight is the ruined Üzümlü Kilise, a basilica which dates from the pre-iconoclastic period and contains some interesting grape decorations. Just outside the village is the Valley of the Monks with the classically beautiful tuff pyramids. Simeon's Chimney with its three "protected" tips is probably the best known. A new road leads from here through the Kizil Wadi (Rock Pyramid) valley to Ürgüp.