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Gümüsler

The city of Nigde in Turkey is not officially part of the Cappadocia region, although there are excavated monuments like those that made neighboring Cappadocia famous. 

Among these rock-cut marvels is the magnificent Gumusler Monastery. However, the area is considered in tourist circles to be part of Cappadocia.

Cappadocia is famous for its dwellings and its religious buildings dug in a rock of volcanic origin quite friable, and therefore relatively easy to dig, the tuff.

Before arriving in the current province of Cappadocia, a stop at Gumusler is essential.

A magnificent cave monastery was dug into the rock during the first centuries of Christianity.

the monastery

What characterizes this former monastery is the remarkable state of preservation of the frescoes, the oldest dating from the 7th century and the most recent from the 11th century.

The rock monasteries in this region are classified into two large groups, depending on whether they have a refectory or an open courtyard. That of Gumusler is classified in the second category.

The main part of the monastery is a church built according to a Greek cross (square) plan located in the north of the complex.

The function of many rooms in this cave monastery remains unknown to this day.

According to the work of archaeologists who have worked on the site since its rediscovery in 1962, it seems that the most recent frescoes were painted by 3 different masters. All these frescoes represent the important characters of the Christian religion: Jesus and Mary, the apostles and the angels as well as some fathers of the Eastern Church like Saint Basil or Saint Gregory.

Spoken comments in the film: 

The troglodyte monastery of Gumusler was dug in the tuff towards the beginnings of the Christian era. This remarkable complex includes, among other things, a Byzantine church which has frescoes dating for the oldest from the 6th century and which are among the best preserved in Cappadocia. This site was not rediscovered until the middle of the 20th century.

One of the originalities of the monastery of Gumusler is this fresco representing hunting scenes. It has no equal in Cappadocia. The poor state of preservation of this painting seems to indicate that it does not date from the same period. Specialists believe that it dates from a more recent era.

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Disclaimer: Despite its appropriateness, copyright issues prevent the use of turkish traditional music in "Gümüsler monastery • Nigde, Turkey", hence the use of royalty-free music. Despite our careful selection, some might regret this decision, which is necessary to avoid potential lawsuits. Although difficult, this decision is the only viable solution.