Some Pictures from Cappadocia

Seleme Monastery was once one of the largest monastery complexes in Cappadocia. Back then scaffolding and ladders would have provided access to these formidable cells. Channels inside the rock also connect may of these rooms and even provide special shelters in case of attack. The monks would roll large millstones across the tunnel to block it. The had ventilation and food and water enough to outlast would-be-plunderers.
One of the monastery churches at Selime--note that although the floor collapsed you can see the triple arch typical of Byzantine churches of the time. The space on the left was used for preparing the gifts. They were brought out the procession and then consecrated in the central section and then after the Communion brought to the section on the right.
We went trekking in the Ihlara Valley, once popular with early Christians who left behind something like 150 (no exaggeration) chapels and churches carved in the soft rock. Few survive, fewer still with frescos in reasonable shape. Here's an example.
the interior of a church carved as part of a HUGE underground city complex in Cappadocia