The Dark Church is located in the Göreme Valley of the Cappadocia region. Considered the most significant structure in the Göreme Open-Air Museum, the Dark Church is part of a monastery complex.  

The church dates back to the late 11th and early 12th centuries. It is called the "Dark Church" because it receives very little light from a small window in the narthex. As a result, the colors of the frescoes inside have been remarkably well preserved. The church and the narthex are richly decorated with motifs inspired by the Bible and Jesus. Like the frescoes in Elmalı and Çarıklı Churches, the frescoes in the Dark Church also depict scenes from the Torah.  

Some of the scenes depicted in the Dark Church include:  

Deesis, Annunciation, Journey to Bethlehem, Nativity, Adoration of the Magi, Baptism, Raising of Lazarus, Transfiguration, Entry into Jerusalem, Last Supper, Betrayal, Crucifixion, Descent into Hell, Women at the Empty Tomb, Blessing and Commissioning of the Apostles, Ascension, Hospitality of Abraham, The Three Hebrew Youths in the Fiery Furnace, and portraits of saints.  

PHOTOS: Images of the frescoes in the Dark Church can be found here:  

[https://www.kulturportali.gov.tr/portal/karanlik-kilise-freskleri?preview=1](https://www.kulturportali.gov.tr/portal/karanlik-kilise-freskleri?preview=1)  

Photos: kulturportali.gov.tr