Zelve is situated on the northern slopes of Aktepe, 1km from Pasabaglari. The ruins at Zelve are spread over three valleys, which also house many pointed fairy chimneys with large stems. Zelve was an important settlement and religious area during the 9th and 13th centuries. 

The first seminaries to priests were given here. The Direkli Church (with the Columns), situated at the bottom of the slope, dates back to the early years of monastery life in Zelve. The main decorations are high relief crosses belonging to the Iconoclastic doctrine. Some of the most important churches in the valley are Balikli (Fish), Uzumlu (Grapes) and Geyikli (Deer) Churches, dating to the Pre-Iconoclastic period. The valley was inhabited until 1952. Apart from monasteries and churches, houses, a tunnel joining two of the valleys, a mill, a mosque and several dovecotes are found in the valley.