Discover 6 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Niğde (Turkey). Don't miss out on these must-see attractions: Gümüşler Monastery, Hudavent Hatun Tomb, and Niğde Alaaddin Mosque. Also, be sure to include Niğde Archaeological Museum in your itinerary.
Below, you can find the list of the most amazing places you should visit in Niğde (Nigde).
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Gümüşler Monastery
Gümüşler Monastery is a Byzantine-era cave monastery in the town of Gümüşler, Niğde Province, Turkey.
The monastery is carved out of a large rock and is one of the best preserved and largest of its kind in the Cappadocia region. There are quite a few monasteries hewn out of the rock in Cappadocia and some scholars split these into two types: those with dining halls and those with open courtyards. The Gümüşler Monastery is part of the second group. The most important part of the monastery complex is the church to its north. The church comprises four freestanding closed aisles based on the Greek cross plan; in the northern aisle of the cross there is a niche with two tombs. To the west there are two entrances covered with a cradle vault.
It is assumed that at least three different masters worked on the paintings found on the walls of the church. In the main apse there are three bands of paintings: the highest shows Christ Enthroned with two angels to his right, the symbols of the gospel writers and the moment of Deisis with Mary and the disciples. The lowest series shows fathers of the church, Basil the Great of Kayseri, Gregory of Nisa, and Gregory of Nazians.
In the north aisle of the cross are representations of The Annunciation, The Nativity and The Presentation at the temple with the figures of John the Baptist and Saint Stephen which must have been painted by the hand of a second artist. On the inside of the narthex to the south of the entrance door are representations of Mary and baby Jesus and on each side of them the archangels Gabriel and Michael which belong to the hand of a third artist.
On the walls of room above the narthex is an example of something not seen anywhere else in Cappadocia: hunting scenes. There is an interesting composition of a variety of animals. The special style and iconography of the paintings on the walls of the Gümüşler Monastery is the same as what can be seen in many churches in Cappadocia. It is possible to date the paintings in the church to the 12th and 13th century A.D. by comparing and evaluating them by these traits.
The monastery was only rediscovered in 1962. The frescoes date from the 7th to 11th centuries. From 1962-1965, restoration work was undertaken on the frescoes by Michael Gough and a team of archaeologists. The monastery was declared a protected archaeological site in 1973.
The monastery can easily be reached from nearby Niğde by bus.[1]
Hudavent Hatun Tomb
Hudavend Hatun Türbe or Huvand Hatun Türbe is a 14th-century Seljuk Kümbet in Nigde, Turkey.[2]
Niğde Alaaddin Mosque
Also known as: Alâeddin Camii, Niğde
Mosque. Niğde Alaaddin Mosque is a historical mosque in Niğde, Turkey.
The mosque is in the historical castle of Niğde at 37°57′59″N 34°40′44″E. The mosque was constructed in 1223 during the reign of Keyqubad I (r.1220–1237) of Sultanate of Rum (precursor of the Ottoman Empire). It was commissioned by Ziynettin Beşare, the local governor of Niğde in behalf of the sultan. The chief architect of the mosque was Sıddık, the son of Mahmut. His brother Gazi was his assistant.
The building material is cut stone. There are two portals: the one in the east side is monumental. The second gate is in the north side. There are three domes in the southern part of the mosque. The minaret is located in the northeastern corner of the square building.
According to local legend, the shape of the muqarnas-carved eastern portal casts a shadow that resembles the silhouette of a crowned girl, ostensibly the founder's daughter with whom the stonemason who built the mosque fell in love.[3]
Address: Kale Mahallesi, İstasyon Cd. No:36, 51100 Niğde Merkez
Niğde Archaeological Museum
Museum in Niğde, Turkey. Niğde Archaeological Museum is located in the centre of the Turkish provincial capital, Niğde between Dışarı Cami Sokak and Öğretmenler Caddesi. It contains objects found at sites in the surrounding area, including the tell of Köşk Höyük and the Graeco-Roman city of Tyana, both in the nearby town of Kemerhisar.[4]
Nigde Kalesi
Historical place, View point, Forts and castles
Address: İstasyon Cad., 51100 Niğde
Niğde Ömer Halisdemir University
Also known as: Niğde Ömer Halisdemir Üniversitesi
Higher educational institution in Turkey. Niğde Ömer Halisdemir University is a public higher educational institution located in Niğde, Central Anatolia in Turkey. It has six faculties, two institutes, two colleges and six vocational colleges. The university campus is situated 6 km southwest of Niğde.
The university was renamed in honor of Sgt. Maj. Ömer Halisdemir (1974–2016), a non-commissioned officer, who was killed on duty in the night of 2016 Turkish coup d'état attempt, right after he shot dead a pro-coup general and prevented so the coupists capture the headquarters of the Special Forces Command in Ankara. He is remembered as a major contributor to the failure of the coup attempt. He was a native of Çukurkuyu town in Bor, Niğde.[5]
Address: Niğde Ömer Halisdemir Üniversitesi Rektörlüğü Merkez Yerleşke Bor Yolu Üzeri, Niğde