Mokissos; The ruins of an early mediaval city spread across a volcanic field behind the town of Helvadere, 12 km south of Ihlara. It is called either Mocissus/Mokissos or Nora depending on sources you belive.
The site is unsigned. Getting there involves a half-hour clamber across boulders, but the setting and the views fully reward the effort. The perfect volcanic cone of the Hasandağı rises in the back. Vast armies of sheep march past in the evening. There is not a trace of the modern world in evidance.
The city was destroyed by an eathquake after the 9th century. There is much standing, though the shells of several churches (31 of them according to the shepherds) are recognisable.
Further up, the flanks of the mountain are covered by a forest surprising thick for this part of Turkey. You may drive up 5 km to the recreation area at Bozkurt yaylası ("Pastures of Brown wolf"), and use the footpath to walk down to the ruins.
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Tags: Mokissos,volcanic field,Helvadere town,Ihlara,Mocissus,Mokissos ,r Nora ,Hasandağı,Bozkurt yaylası ,Pastures of Brown wolf,Turkey travel,Cappadocia Turkey,Cappadocia, Turkey