Sezer Becel

Following the completion of meticulous restoration works conducted by the Culture and Tourism Ministry, the 174-year-old Virgin Mary Church in the Central Anatolian province of Nevşehir has been opened to visitors.

The historic Orthodox church, built in 1849, was used as a house of worship for Orthodox Greeks in the region until 1924 and served as a prison between 1950 and 1983.

Malaysia's queen has fallen in love with the historical Cappadocia region on her visit to the site in the Central Anatolia region, and said she is seeking a house to buy and live.

Some 310 unauthorized buildings were demolished in the last two years in the historical site of Cappadocia, which is famous for cave dwellings and remarkable rock formation, the governor of the Central Anatolian province of Nevşehir said on Jan. 11.