Hallac Hospital Monastery The Hallac Hospital Monastery is a hidden treasure nestled in a tranquil valley northeast of Ortahisar town in Nevsehir, Turkey. Although it is close to many well-known tourist destinations in Cappadocia, this monastery is frequently missed by visitors, except those taking Jeep Safari Tours. A standout feature of the Hallac complex is its delightful three-sided courtyard, featuring pigeon houses situated on elevated rock terraces. Sadly, the courtyard has been neglected for many years, causing an accumulation of over one meter of silt. Inside the monastery, behind the north façade, visitors will find two square chambers each measuring 4 by 4 meters, positioned on either side of the long central corridor. These three halls are connected by internal passageways. The west chamber was originally carved as an elaborately decorated recessed niche but was later adapted to serve as a shelter for pigeons and other animals. The central corridor follows a basilica layout, consisting of a barrel-vaulted main room flanked by flat side aisles. Five pillars stand at the center of the building, supporting six short arches on each side, while the rounded ceiling springs from a projecting molding running along both sides. Each end of the hall features an arch forming an apse, which was likely used as living quarters. On the west side of the Hallac complex, there is a smaller room measuring 8 by 12 meters, though it is currently in poor condition. The entrance located at the northwestern corner opens into an L-shaped cross-in-square design topped by a central dome, similar to the nave architecture of many contemporary churches. However, unlike those churches, this space lacks an east apse or aisles, making it more comparable to a large private chapel. Access to the room is possible through doors both on the exterior and interior walls. A unique characteristic of this room is an unusual carving of a person hanging from the east arch. This is the only human figure sculpted in rock throughout Cappadocia. The figure is depicted wearing a tunic robe and a pointed hat, indicating it might have been crafted by a Georgian mason who migrated to Cappadocia during the church’s construction. Another possibility is that it was created by local artisans influenced by Georgian architectural styles present in the region. On the southern side of the complex lies a spacious room that formerly served as a kitchen. Sadly, much of this area has collapsed inward over the years. This square chamber is topped with a distinctive cone-shaped ceiling and contains a section of burnt rock that functioned as a smoke vent. Additional rooms are arranged along the upper floor. If you have any questions or would like more information about the Hallac Hospital Monastery, please feel free to contact us at [email protected] or simply message us on Whatsapp, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.