Writer: Mustafa Kaya
May 2010

Başköy, which was the village of Ürgüp borough of Nevşehir, later on attached to Yeşilhisar borough of Kayseri. We know that Başköy was named as Potamya during Roman Empire period. Afterwards, its name had many modifications. During the Roman Empire period, Mavrucan (Güzelöz) together with Potamya and Kavasos were very close to each other and they seemed like a big center. After Lozan Treaty in 1924, following the conversion scheme, the Greek population in Potamya left the region. After that the locals of Kavasos (Başköy) left their villages and moved to Potamya. During the Ottoman Empire period, it was called Kavaklıköy, Dereköy and Ortaköy. After the departure of Greeks, the locals of Kavasos named this new village with their previous village and from that date Potamya named as Başköy.

Houses and Churches
Only rock carved structures and some basic remains were able to reach today in old Başköy (Kavasos) localization. The Roman period grave structures on the Kavasos side are facing today’s Başköy graveyard. Potamya (Başköy), located in the middle of Kavasos and Mavrucan gets attraction today with its elaborated houses and buildings as well as with the decorations. In Başköy, after the houses, the most attractive building is the school building on the road, made of cut off stones. The building was constructed during Greek period and there is a signboard on it, reads that “Başköy Primary School, 1913”. In addition, there are two churches made of cut off stone in the village. One of the churches, situated in the village, assumed that constructed in 19th century, is being used as a mosque today. During the Greek period, it was called Hıdrellez Church. The other church located on the side of asphalt road is partly ruinous. It is believed that its name is Saint Georges Church. It is understood that, the building, an ancient monastery church, was constructed on the base of an old church. It is specified that the old church dated back to 12th century. The frescos of Saint Georges Church are mostly damaged. Nevermore, some scenes can be differentiated. In addition to these churches, there are two rock carved churches in the village. Today one of them is being used as a cattle guard and according to the breaks on the wall; it seems that it will not be everlasting. The other one gets attraction with the rock engraved grave standing in front of. Some of its frescos were able to reach today.

Note: This article has been published in Peribacası Cappadocia Culture and Publicity Magazine, May 2010 issue. It is under protection of the copyrights of the magazine. No part of this article may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by electronic, mechanical or other means without prior permission from the owner. www.cappadociaexplorer.com