Your first stop is Mustafapaşa, formerly known as Sinasos. Once a thriving Greek settlement until the 1923 population exchange, its stone-paved alleys, ornate stonework, and wooden balconies reflect a time when traders sailed to the Black Sea, bringing wealth that shaped the village’s architecture.

From Mustafapaşa, you will visit Cemil Church, a lesser-known rock-hewn sanctuary. Its frescoes, though faded, still bear the devotion of those who once gathered here by candlelight.

After a short drive, you will explore Keşlik Monastery, a secluded site tucked into the rugged hills. Unlike more visited monastic sites, Keşlik retains a peaceful solitude. Its churches, Archangelos and Stephanos, feature frescoes in muted reds and ochres, preserving their history. The monastery’s rock-carved water system reflects the resourcefulness of those who once sought refuge here.

Next, you will visit Sobesos Ancient City, where the Roman era comes to life. Discovered by chance, Sobesos challenges the idea that this region was solely inhabited by cave dwellers. Its stone-paved streets, bathhouses, and council chambers hint at a once-thriving urban center. Smaller than grand Roman ruins, its floor mosaics show that Rome’s influence reached deep into Anatolia.

You will then hike through Soğanlı Valley, where the landscape tells its own story. Rock-hewn churches, carved by monastic communities seeking solitude, line the cliffs. In the shadowed interior of Karabaş Church, delicate frescoes of saints and apostles still watch from soot-darkened walls. Not far away, Yılanlı Church (the “Snake Church”) depicts St. George slaying a dragon-like serpent, rich in spiritual meaning and symbolism.