A deep courtyard opens in the rock, its walls cut with doorways and windows. Inside the church, painted saints and angels look down in rich colours.

The monastery

Eski Gümüşler, the 'Old Silver' Monastery, lies in the small town of Gümüşler, 10 km northeast of Niğde. Built in the 10th century, it was in use until the population exchange of 1924. After its rediscovery in 1962, archaeologists led by Michael Gough restored it and its frescoes, and it became a protected site in 1973. It is easy to reach by bus from Niğde.

Courtyard and church

It is one of the best preserved and largest rock-cut monasteries in Cappadocia, of the type with rooms opening off a central courtyard. The church north of the courtyard has a Greek-cross plan. Three different masters are thought to have painted its frescoes. The main apse shows Christ enthroned with angels, the symbols of the Gospel writers, and the Cappadocian Fathers: St Basil the Great, Gregory of Nyssa and Gregory of Nazianzus. The north arm has the Annunciation, the Nativity and the Presentation in the Temple.

• ✓
  Courtyard Deep rock-cut court.
• ✓
  Church frescoes By three masters.
• ✓
  Cappadocian Fathers In the main apse.