Gümüşler Monastery: The Petra of Anatolia and the Mystery of the “Smiling Virgin Mary”
The Gümüşler Monastery, one of Cappadocia’s best-preserved monasteries, often referred to as the “Petra of Anatolia,” draws attention with its historical structure and frescoes. Located in the Gümüşler town of Niğde in the Cappadocia region, the Gümüşler Monastery is famous for its “Smiling Virgin Mary” fresco. Believed to have been built between the 8th and