History, location, directions and entrance fee

Gümüşler Monastery, which attracts attention with its iconographic wall paintings, is believed to have been built between the 8th and 12th centuries, although no exact source has been found. Carved into the rocks and with a mesmerizing atmosphere, the three-line wall paintings on the main apse stand out. At the top of these paintings are Jesus enthroned, angels, his apostles, and the Virgin Mary. Known as the only example in Anatolia, a fresco of the Smiling Virgin Mary and the Infant Jesus found here has sparked controversy around the world, but the monastery continues to have a fascinating influence on the history of the region. How to get to Gumusler Monastery? How much does it cost to enter the monastery? What does the history of Gumusler Monastery tell us? Let’s find out the details together!

story

The monastery and underground settlement, called Gumusler, were built in the 10th century in an area remote from large settlements. Monastery at that timetrikas was named. During the Ottoman period, since there were deposits of silver around it since ancient times.old silverreferred to as “. The monastery was used by people for worship.

During the Republican period, as a result of the Lausanne Exchange of 1924, when non-Muslims from the province of Nigde migrated to Greece, the monastery lost its function, was abandoned and was not used for forty years. The monastery was reopened in 1962 after a long period of time. Restoration work at the Gumusler Monastery began in 1963 under the direction of the British archaeologist Michael Gough. The monastery and its surroundings were declared an archaeological site in 1973 and are open to visitors.

Where?

The monastery is located in the city of Gumusler in Nigde, about 9 km from the city center. The monastery courtyard, about 14 meters high, opens the door to a magnificent atmosphere with its gigantic view and architecture carved into the rocks. In addition, food stores and tombs in the middle courtyard give the building a different meaning.

Recall that the monastery has an underground city. We say that you should definitely visit the underground city, which has such ageless features as ventilation and a communication system.

How to get?

In fact, getting to this monastery, located in the city of Gumusler in the province of Nigde, is quite practical. First of all, it should be said that the bus of the municipality of Gumusler leaves from the center of the city of Nigde every half hour. Especially since the bus passes right in front of the monastery, it can be easily reached.

Those who arrive by private car can reach the monastery in 15 minutes by continuing straight ahead on Chamardi road after turning towards Gumusler municipality at the crossroads on the way from the center of Nigde to Kayseri.

What’s the cover charge?

Let’s briefly talk about the days and hours when the monastery is open to visitors. This impressive structure can be visited from 08:30 to 17:30 in winter and from 10:00 to 19:00 in summer. The entrance fee to the Gumusler Monastery, open every day of the week, is set at 20 Turkish Liras for 2022. But if you have a museum pass, you can enter for free.

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