We know that Cappadocia is a region full of beauty. Its magnificent valleys, churches and museums — in short, its historical and natural treasures — simply sweep you away. Cappadocia is also home to monasteries well worth visiting.
You can also choose the MDC Hotel for your stay while exploring this magnificent region.
The Nuns’ and Monks’ Monastery
This is the most striking of the monasteries to visit in Cappadocia. It is generally known as the Nuns’ Monastery. On the first floor of the monastery there are a kitchen, a refectory and rooms. On the second floor there is a chapel. Although this chapel is in ruins, it can still be visited. In this three-storey monastery, the floors are connected to one another by tunnels. In moments of danger, bolt stones were used to seal off these tunnels.
In the Monks’ Monastery on the right-hand side, the passages between the floors have unfortunately been closed off because of erosion. For this reason, only a few rooms on the ground floor can be seen.
The Hallaç Monastery
The monastery takes its name from the Hallaç Stream that flows past it. It was built in the 11th century.
Built into a great mass of rock, the monastery has slowly begun to collapse, yet it still continues to attract the interest of tourists.
The Saint Nicholas Monastery
The date of construction of this uniquely beautiful monastery, set among fairy chimneys and vineyards, is unknown. Beneath its rounded arch is the inscription “Oayios Nikolaos”, that is, “Saint Nicholas”.
The monastery’s kitchen was carved into a fairy chimney. It also has a cemetery containing forty-one graves. Unfortunately, some of the gravestones are broken, which suggests that the site was looted.
Wishing rags can be seen tied to the ivy in the courtyard, and it is notable that this custom of wishing rags is a tradition inherited from the old Greeks of the region.
The Selime Monastery
Perched on a steep slope, this monastery houses the Tomb of Selime Sultan. With the many fairy chimneys surrounding it, it is also a visual delight. It is the largest monastery in Cappadocia and has been home to many civilisations. Within it are the High Church, the Ahmatlı Church, the Silvişli Church and the Red Church.
The Keşlik Monastery
It is located near Mustafapaşa, also known by its other name, Sinasos. The Keşlik Monastery contains a winery, two churches, a refectory, monks’ dwellings, a meeting hall, a linseed-oil press and a sacred water spring. It is estimated that the monastery was large enough to accommodate 200 people.
