The Kilistra Church of the Cross, also known as the Cross (Rock) Church, is a church carved into the rock located in the Hatunsaray district of the Meram district of Konya. The church is of significant importance for Early and Middle Byzantine Christian history.
The church is carved into a rock block about 5 meters high and 10 meters wide. Its plan resembles a cross. The entrance to the church is on the northeast facade. Above the entrance door, there is a cross motif.
The interior of the church is divided into three naves, separated by columns. In the center of the naves, there is an apse. The apse walls are decorated with various frescoes and ornaments. The frescoes depict Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary, and various saints.
The exact date of the church's construction is unknown, but it is estimated to have been built in the 5th or 6th century. The church was used as a place of worship for Christians during the Byzantine Empire.
Another interesting feature of the building is that there are items belonging to Muslims and Seljuks around it. Although the Seljuk coins and ceramics found during the excavations and the tombs located right next to the building raise the question of whether several groups of different religions lived in the region at the same time, the findings obtained from the excavations are currently insufficient to answer this question definitively.
Today, the church is an important tourist destination in Konya. Thousands of local and foreign tourists visit the church every year.
The church is located about 2 kilometers from the Hatunsaray district. It is easily accessible by car or public transportation.
