Images Bauda Sergilla Deiroune Barbisca

Earliest scholarly interest in the region of the Dead Cities began in the 1860s with an architectural survey lead by Melchior Comte de Voguë, who was later French ambassador to Constantinople. Voguë was very impressed with the stone work, classical detailing and carving techniques and marvelled at this region that reminded him of the French countryside, "les maisons de campagne", large and peaceful dwellings of bourgeoisie, surrounded by formal gardens.