» Başköy/Potamia (Kayseri) - a decaying gem «
Başköy is the village the Greeks used to call Potamia. It is said that St. George came from here. George was a martyr who fell victim to the persecution of Christians under Diocletian in 303. In the time of the Crusades the legend around the dragon slayer began to spread. On the opposite side of the valley to the village is the Hagios Georgios Monastery, which the locals call Hidrellez Manastırı.
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After the Christian inhabitants had to leave their village in 1923, Muslims from Kosovo were settled here. They moved into the houses, decorated with rich stonemason ornaments, without developing a cultural relationshipto them. The lack of work led to the emigration of the youth and those who were left behind fought for survival. So it is not surprising that today's inhabitants try to earn something by selling the old stonemasonry.
The former Greek church was provided with a minaret and rededicated to the village mosque. Unfortunately, it is in danger of collapsing and can therefore no longer be entered.
Under the gable of the house you can see the Byzantine double eagle. Perhaps this is an indication that this house was inhabited by the priest of the church.
Around the village are severely damaged and endangered cave churches. This one contains some Byzantine frescoes from the 12th(?) century.
The Hagios Georgios (Hidrellez) monastery is probably one of the oldest (6th century?) monasteries in Cappadocia, with frescoes from 1292/93.
Single photos of the frescoes
