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The
old name of Gulsehir, situated on the southern bank of the
Red River, 20km from Nevsehir, is Arapsun and in ancient
times it was called "Zoropassos". The Ottoman Grand Vizier
Karavezir Mehmet Seyyid Pasha did the same thing in Gulsehir
as Damat Ibrahim Pasha did in Nevsehir and a Kulliye was
built in the town, which had only 30 houses. The complex
consisted of a mosque, a Medrese and a fountain.
Karavezir Mosque
The mosque, having the characteristic features of the
Ottoman architecture, was built using blocks of stone of two
different colors. The dome covering the main area is seated
on four arches.
The Ruins of Aciksaray
This important area of ruins is situated 3km from Gulsehir.
There are numerous rock cuttings including Roman tombs, and
churches dating back to the 9th and 10th centuries in this
important bishopric.
Rock formations in the shape of mushrooms are unique to this
area.
The Karsi Church (of St John)
The
two floor church of St. Jean, found on entering Gulsehir,
houses a church, wine cellar, graves, water channels and
living quarters on the lower floor, and a church decorated
with Biblical scenes on the upper floor.
The lower floor church is built to the shape of a cross, has
one apse and arms of the
cross are barrel-vaulted. The central
dome is collapsed. Stylized
animals, geometrical and crucifix designs are used to
decorate the church in red ochre, which was applied directly
onto the rock. The upper church has one apse, and is barrel-vaulted.
Apart from those on the apse, the well-preserved frescoes
were covered in a layer of black soot. The church's present
state owes to the
restoration and conservation done by Ridvan Isler in 1995.
 The
scenes from the life of Jesus and the Bible are in the form
of friezes within the borders. Yellow and brown have been
used on a black background. On the niche vault and on the
sides, floral and geometrical patterns were used. On the
west and south walls Last Judgment can be found, a scene
rarely depicted in Cappadocian churches.
According to the inscription on the apse, the church is
dated to 1212.
Scenes
 Deesis
on the apse, on its front Annunciation, below bird designs,
on the barrel vault portraits of saints in medallions, on
the south wing of the vault Last Supper, Betrayal by Judas,
Baptism, below Koimesis (Falling Asleep of Mother Mary), on
the north wings of the vault Descent from the Cross, Women
at the Tomb, Anastasis, on the West and South walls Last
Judgement.
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