The Church of the Virgin
The central sanctuary containing the Three-Hierarchs and the famous Smiling Mary.
The Eski Gümüşler Monastery is believed to have been built between the 7th and 11th centuries. It was not just a place of prayer but a self-sufficient fortress. The high walls of the carved courtyard provided security, while the internal layout allowed monks to live, study, and store supplies without ever leaving the safety of the rock walls.
The architecture follows a Greek-cross plan with four columns. The most striking feature of the interior is the fresco program. Art historians note that the painters at Gümüşler were likely of a higher artistic rank than those in typical village churches, as the shading, anatomy, and color blending are exceptionally advanced for the time.
Interestingly, the monastery also contains rare secular frescoes. On the upper floor of the narthex, you can find illustrations believed to represent scenes from Aesop's Fables, including animals like lions and birds—a very rare occurrence in a Byzantine religious complex.
