Apple Church

Updated: Nov 19, 2019

Apple Church (Turkish, Elmalı Kilise), is a superb cave church in the Göreme Open
Air Museum. The interior painting program is one of Cappadocia’s most advanced,
artistically and theologically. The cross-in-square church dates back to around 1050,
like the similar Dark Church and Sandal Church nearby.

Physical Setting

The front of Apple Church has eroded away. A church with such rich interior
paintings was likely part of a larger monastic complex with a refractory, small rooms,
and grave tombs. These elements have collapsed into the ravine below, leaving only
the main church standing in isolation on a cliff face. Only a few carved elements of
the entry room (narthex) remain visible on the outside. Because the severe erosion
made the front entrance inaccessible, a small hole was carved in the left (north) wall
as a secondary entrance. Museum officials have added a walkway in front so people
can enter through original front (west) door.
Painting Program

The church features a cross-in-square floor plan. The four broad pillars divide
the room into nine square bays. This common church layout creates many
small panels at various angles. Due to this architectural layout, the wall
paintings in Apple Church are not arranged in a narrative sequence. Rather,
the pictures are independent scenes, mostly from the life of Christ. Most
scenes represented an important Orthodox holiday (feast day), and served as
an icon of that special day.
The painting program does reveal some thematic organization. The various
angels and curves of the interior walls allow pictures to interact with each
other.