Eskigumus Monastery

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The Eskigumus rock cut monastery off the Kayseri-Nigde road near to the town of Nigde. Eskigumus is famed to have the only frescoe with a smiling Theotokos.

Luckly because the monastery was just recent discovered (in 1963) it was able to escape vandalism common among the many of the churches and monasteries in Cappadoccia. It's well-preserved frescoes decorate the large main church. These works are known to be some of the best examples of the Byzantine art in all of Cappadocia.

The monastery is the farthest south of all of the Cappadocian monasteries. It is located close to the route used by the invading Arabs in the 7th century. Who traversed the Tarsus Mountains from the south to plunder Kayseri. This route follows the Tarsus River through a rugged pass called the Gulek Bogazi. Called in ancient times Cicilian Gates and was accessed by Alexander the Great during his eastward campaign into the Persia. The plain entry to the Eskigumus Monastery was designed to shield the monastery complex from passing by invaders. This camouflage was so successful that it hid the monastery until it was not discovered in 1963. High walls surround the large inner courtyard walls with monastic rooms and storage areas. The main church is large and it extremely good condition with the colors of well-preserved frescoes are considered to be the greatest example of Byzantine art in all of the area.