Cavusin is a fascinating and historic village in the heart of Cappadocia. The village offers a compelling mix of history, unique architecture, natural beauty, and hiking opportunities. It's located between the popular tourist hubs of Goreme (about 4 km away) and Avanos (about 5 km away), making it easily accessible. Compared to the busier Goreme, Çavusin often feels a bit quieter and more traditional where you can witness the dramatic landscape of the abandoned rock-cut village.
The most striking feature in the old village is the massive, partially collapsed cliff face honeycombed with abandoned rock-cut dwellings and storage areas. This is the "Old Çavusin". People lived in these cave homes for centuries until the 1950s/60s when erosion and rockfalls made it too dangerous, forcing residents to relocate to the "new" village built on the flatter land below.
Church of St. John the Baptist is perched high up in the cliff face of the old village. This is one of the oldest and largest cave churches in Cappadocia, possibly dating back to the 5th century. Its basilica-like structure and sheer scale are impressive, though access can sometimes be restricted due to safety concerns.
Çavusin Church (Nicephorus Phocas Church) is located closer to the modern village. This church dates back to the 960s AD and was dedicated to the Byzantine Emperor Nicephorus Phocas, who visited Cappadocia. It contains significant frescoes depicting biblical scenes, although some are faded or damaged.
Çavusin is an excellent starting or ending point for hikes into the beautiful surrounding valleys, particularly the Rose Valley (Güllüdere) and Red Valley (Kizilçukur). These valleys are famous for their stunning rock formations, hidden cave churches, and incredible colours, especially at sunset.