Göreme, situated 10 km from Nevşehir, is found in the area surrounded with valleys, within the Nevşehir-Ürgüp-Avanos triangle. The old names for Göreme are Korama, Matiana, Maccan and Avcılar. Since Göreme was referred as Korama in the earliest written document known from the 6th century, it is thought that is the oldest name given to the place. In that document, it is said that St Hieron was born in Korama at the end of the 3rd century, was martyred in Melitene (modern Malatya) with his 30 friends and his hand was cut off and sent to his mother in Korama is found in the Tokalı (Buckle) Church in Göreme Open Air Museum.

It is believed that Göreme and its surroundings were used as a necropolis by the people of Vanessa (Avanos) in the Roman Periods. Both the monumental twin pillared Roman tomb hollowed out into a fairy chimney in the centre of Göreme  and the presence of numerous tombs vicinity support that idea.

Göreme, an important Christian centre in the early years of the Middle Ages, was a bishopric administered by Mokissos near Aksaray in the 11th and 13th centuries. Despite the wast number of monasteries, churches and chapels in the vicinity of Göreme, there are not many inscriptions bearing dates. For this reason,these religious buildings are mainly dated according to the iconography or architectural features.

Churces Around Göreme
Durmuş Kadir Churc
This basilica style church differs from the others in that it has a pulpit in the centre, its columns are thick and rectangular in shape, it has a baptistery and graves hollowed out of the walls in the first section. The church, dating back to the 6th and 7th centuries, displays some of the most beatiful examples of carved decorations.

Yusuf Koç Church
As with the Durmuş Kadir Church, this church has been named after the owner of the vineyard on which it stands. It is cruciform in design, with two apses and originally  boasted four columns although these have now crumbled. The churc dates back to the 11th century.

El Nazar Church
This churc is situated in the El Nazar valley, about 800m to the right from the road to the Göreme Open Air Museum. This church was carved from one piece of rock in a ''T'' shape. It is cruciform with three apses, the main apse opening up in the center where the barrel vaulted arms of the cruciform meet. The floor has been completely destroyed, as has part of the apse. The frescoes show scenes which follow each other in chronological order. This church can be dated to the end of the 10th century.

Scenes: Annunciation , Visitation, Nativity, Adoration of the Magi, Flight into Egypt, Presentation of jesus in the Temple, Pursuit of Elizabeth, Baptism, Raising of Lazarus, Transfiguration, Entry into Jerusalem, Crucifixion, Anastasis, Ascension, and portraits of the saints.

Saklı ( hidden ) Church
As this church remanied undiscovered until 1957 it was given the name of Saklı, which means hidden. It is situated near the El Nazar Churc. It is based on a broad rectanguler plan, the main section being divided into two by two columns and three arches. It has three apses. The flot ceiling is decorated with crosses and geometrical patterns. The frescoes in this churc are painted directly onto the rock and not onto plaster. Pieces of painted cloth found around the church. have been  analysed and found to be cloth which was used instead of brushes to paint the church. The architecture of the church resembles the style found in Mesopotamia. This  church dates from the second half of the 11th century.

Scenes: Deesis, Annunciation, Nativity, Presentation of jesus in the Temple, Calling of John, Baptism, Transfiguration, Crucifixion, Koimesis, (Falling Asleep of st Mary the Virgin) and portraits of the saints.

Kılıçlar Kuşluk Church ( of Mother Mary )
This church lies on a steep slope to the south of the Kılıçlar Church, and behind the Tokalı (Buckle) church, about 250m from the open Air Museum. The rectanguler nave is covered by two barrel vaults of different widths and heights. The church houses portraits of the saints, and four bible scenes.

Scenes:  Deesis, Journey of Bethlehem, Nativity, Churicifixion, Koimesis ( Falling Asleep of St Mary the Virgin ) and the portraits of the saints.

Kılıçlar Church
This church is situated 600m NW of the Göreme Open Air Museum in the Kılıçlar valley. It has a cruciform plan with four columns and a central dome. The arms of the cross are barrel vaulted. The ceilings in the West corners are flat, whereas those in the East corners are domed. There are there apses. The walls are richly decorated with frescoes illustrating a long narration from the Bible . The church dates back to the end of the 9th and the beginning of the 10th centuries.

Scenes: Prophetic Vision, Annuncition, Visitation, Proof of the Virgin, Reproaches of Joseph, Nativity, Adoration of the Magi, Joseph's Dream, Flight into Egypt, Presentation of Jesus in the Temple, Calling of St. John the Baptist, John meeting Christ, Babtism, Jesus and Zacchaeus, Healing of the Blind Man, Raising of Lazarus, Entry into Jerusalem, Last Supper, Washing of the Disciples' Feet, Communion of the
Apostles, Betrayal, Jesus before Annas and Caiaphas, Jesus before Pilate, Denial by Peter, Way of the Cross, Crucifixion, Descent from the Cross, Entombment, Anastasis, Women at the Tomp, Blessing and Mission of the Apostles, Ascension, Pentecost, Koimesis (Falling Asleep of St Mary the Virgin) and portraits of the saints