Due to its geomorphological features, the Ihlara valley has been a suitable retreat and place of worship for monks and priests. The reasons such as the fact that it cannot be seen on the horizon line, the ease of access to water and the easy carving of the rocks have increased its preferability.
Aksaray has been an important religious center in the early years of Christianity. Sect founders such as Basilus of Kayseri and Gregorius of Nazianzos were born in the 4th century. They were also raised here. They determined the rules of a monastic life separate from the Egyptian and Syrian system. Thus, the Greek and Slavic system was born. The place of this new understanding was Belisirma. Gregorius put forward ideas that strengthened the views of the Nicaean meeting in the discussion of the deity of Jesus by bringing a new explanation to the belief in the trinity. Thus, he became a leading saint in the history of Christianity. The rocky region where Gregorius grew up (Belisırma, Ihlara, Güzelyurt (Gelveri)) became a group of churches carved into the rocks, in line with the monastery spirit. When the defensive fortresses in Hasandağı resisted the Arab raids, these churches continued to be active centers of worship.