Transformation of the ‘Sacred’ Image of a Byzantine Cappadocian Settlement (Chapter 6)

A recent study challenges long-held assumptions about Byzantine Cappadocia, revealing that the region was not exclusively a monastic center and its history extended beyond the Seljuk period. The research focuses on Aciksaray, a settlement previously misclassified as a Christian monastery due to generalized scholarly beliefs. Through analysis of architectural elements and historical legends, the study demonstrates Aciksaray's dual Christian-Islamic identity, shaped by its strategic location between these two worlds. This adaptability has allowed the site's 'sacred' image to persist through medieval transitions and into modern times, offering new insights into the fluidity of cultural identities in border regions.

Öztürk, F. G. (2017). 6 Transformation of the ‘Sacred’ Image of a Byzantine Cappadocian Settlement. Architecture and Landscape in Medieval Anatolia, 1100-1500, 135–154. https://doi.org/10.1515/9781474411301-009