Eskigumüş Monastery

The famous monastery of Eskigyumyush is located 16 kilometers north of the city of Nigde and 45 kilometers south of the city of Derinkuyu. It is believed that it was built in the X or XI century. Since then, Byzantine church columns have been preserved, which amaze with their decor and lively motifs. On the ceiling and walls of the main monastery temple there are paintings depicting the life of Christian monks, as well as the Virgin Mary with the baby Jesus in her arms.

Despite the antiquity, the colors of the images have been preserved almost in their original form. One of the main distinguishing features of painting on the walls of the monastery of Eskigumüş is that the Virgin Mary is depicted smiling. This is a unique case, since you will not find such an image in any other monastery.