Açıksaray “Open Palace”: a Byzantine rock-cut settlement in Cappadocia

Açıksaray, a Byzantine rock-cut settlement in Cappadocia, stands out for its elaborate courtyard complexes carved entirely from volcanic rock. Unlike other regional structures, these complexes feature monumental façades and utilitarian spaces like stables, offering new insights into medieval life in Cappadocia. This study analyzes Açıksaray's architectural design and occupation stages through survey results, revealing its secular and elite character. It contributes to the understanding of Byzantine domestic architecture by providing detailed evidence that is scarce in existing research.

Öztürk, F. G. (2014). Açıksaray “Open Palace”: a Byzantine rock-cut settlement in Cappadocia. Byzantinische Zeitschrift, 107(2). https://doi.org/10.1515/bz-2014-0020