Uzumlu Church

The Grape Church is located at the beginning of the Red Valley, to the west of the town of Ortahisar, about 1km from the road. The fairy chimney, in which the Grape Church is found, is hollowed out like a monastic complex where monks lived. The lower level of the fairy chimney is the church and the upper level is a chamber -which can be seen from outside due to the partial collapse of the walls- with a cross relief on the ceiling.

The church has a square plan with one apse and one nave. At the far end of the nave is a grave niche. This church is also called The Church of St. Nichlitas due to the presence of an inscription of St Nichitas in he dedication inscription of the church.

The nave with a flat ceiling is decorated with rich embellishments. The orange coloured surface is decorated with a cross composed of circles and rectangles and bunches of grape and geometrical motifs around it. The border is embellished with medallions with Maltese crosses.

Although it is not definite, the common belief is that the church dates back to the 8th or 9th century.

Scenes:On the apse Enthroned Mary holding Baby Jesus and Archangels Michael and Gabriel by their sides, on the north and south sides of the nave twelve apostles and doctor saints.