It is estimated that there are over 400 churches in Cappadocia, which is one of the regions known for its churches and chapels. An important part of the churches are located in the Göreme open air museum. The Monastery of Nuns and Priests is among these structures.
As the name suggests, the building was built as a place where priests and nuns could stay. The buildings of the priests and nuns are separated within themselves. While the nuns have a more complex building of 6-7 floors, the building of the priests has 3-4 floors.
Nuns and Priests Monastery, one of the most visited structures of Göreme open air museum, was built as a living space and is extremely large. If you walk for a short time after entering the museum area, it is possible to see the Monks’ Monastery on your left. In addition to being used as a monastery, there is a cafeteria on the bottom floor of the Nuns and Priests Monastery, which was used as an area where the people could be protected during the raids. It is thought that the rooms next to the dining hall belong to the personnel. On the second floor, there is a chapel, which has been quite worn until today. It is still open to visitors. To reach the next floor, you have to go through a tunnel. After passing the tunnel, you reach a church with 4 columns. The characteristic of the church is that the templon, which is not found in churches in Cappadocia and is considered a special architectural element, was used. The tunnels between the floors of the Monastery of the Monks serve to increase safety in case of possible dangers. The bayonet stones used in these tunnels are; They are extremely rare works. A part of the monastery cannot be visited today, as these stones were closed by the effect of erosion. Although the exact date of the church is not known, it is estimated that the building was built at the beginning of the 11th century, based on the depiction of Jesus in the church section.
Nuns and Priests Monastery, located in Göreme open air museum, is one of the most visited structures in the region. Therefore, transportation options are also rich. Visitors to the monastery often take tours. If you want to visit the monastery, which is included in many of the tours in Cappadocia, with a professional, you can consider this option.
If you have come to Cappadocia with your own vehicle or if you have rented a car, you can benefit from navigation applications. Since it is very close to the popular districts of Cappadocia, you can easily find the Göreme open air museum.
Most of the hotels in Cappadocia provide shuttle service. You can evaluate these hotels that leave their guests to important areas to visit during the day. You can reach the Nuns and Priests Monastery in less than half an hour by using the minibuses departing from Nevsehir center every half hour.
When you visit the Monastery of the Monks, you should not forget to consider the working hours. The museum and the buildings in it accept visitors between 08.00 and 17.00. These hours may be extended during the summer months.
Monastery of the Monks Photos
