Aya Nikola Monastery, which is one of the best examples of the rock monasteries belonging to the 6th century Justinian period, in the Kiyikoy town of the Vize district of Kırklareli attracts attention. Aya Nikola Monastery, one of the prominent examples of rock monasteries belonging to the Justinian period, awaits foreign tourists.
Aya Nikola Monastery, one of the prominent examples of the rock monasteries of the 6th century Justinian period, which contains a church, holy spring monk rooms, confessional rooms and the priest’s throne, awaits its European visitors.
Hamdi Kaya, who met the Aya Nikola Monastery when he was a child, said that treasure seekers damaged the historical structure and that he had protected the Aya Nikola Monastery, which is one of the best examples of rock monasteries, for 40 years.
Kaya said, “I have been waiting for the Aya Nikola Monastery voluntarily for nearly 40 years. My childhood passed here. This place was like a dump, I cleaned it up. I make my living with tipping by entertaining the guests who come here and telling the history of the Aya Nikola Monastery.”
“The history of the Aya Nikola Monastery dates back to the 6th century AD Justinian period, 527-565 AD,” said Kaya, adding, “There are churches, holy spring monk rooms, confessional rooms, tombs and the priest’s throne. The Greeks lived here 800-900 years ago and they worshiped here,” he said.
Hamdi Kaya, who has been working as a volunteer guard at the Aya Nikola Monastery for nearly 40 years, also gives information about its history to the visitors. (NTV)
