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Authorities in Türkiye have announced plans to restore and open to visitors a unique underground site in the Cappadocia region that once functioned as a monastery and, according to historical accounts, served as one of the world’s earliest mental hospitals.
Located in the Cumhuriyet district of Derinkuyu, Nevsehir province, the Aya (Saint) Maryeros Underground Monastery was first identified in the 1990s beneath a neglected building. The Derinkuyu District Governor’s Office and the municipality have now begun cleaning and restoration efforts to prepare the site for tourism. The complex resembles the famous underground cities of Cappadocia, with tunnels, living quarters, storage rooms, and rock-carved galleries.
Derinkuyu Mayor Taner Ince explained that the monastery had been left in a state resembling a waste site before the works began. He noted that large amounts of soil had to be removed, a temporary lighting system installed, and security measures taken in cooperation with local police. He stressed the site’s significance, describing it as “the world’s oldest and first mental hospital,” where Christian clerics once treated patients suffering from psychological conditions.
According to local sources, the monastery dates back to the fourth century A.D., during the Byzantine period, when individuals with mental illnesses were cared for under the supervision of religious figures. Ince underlined that once the property is fully expropriated, the project will proceed more quickly, with the goal of transforming the site into a museum. He added that both regional and national authorities are supporting the initiative to integrate the site into cultural tourism.
Historian Eray Karaketir emphasized that Aya Maryeros is part of a broader network of underground settlements carved into the volcanic rock of Cappadocia. These were built by early Christians fleeing persecution in the Eastern Roman Empire. He pointed out that the monastery lies about 10 to 15 meters underground and was specifically known for serving those with mental health issues.
Karaketir said that many underground monasteries across the region had functions beyond worship and living, sometimes being used for therapy and treatment. He noted that centuries of looting had damaged Aya Maryeros, with wooden doors destroyed and some supporting columns broken. Restoration efforts now aim to stabilize the structure, add permanent lighting, and eventually reopen blocked tunnels that may lead to the vast Derinkuyu Underground City.
Officials believe the project will bring a new dimension to Derinkuyu, already a popular destination thanks to its extensive underground city. As works progress, Aya Maryeros Underground Monastery is expected to enrich the cultural landscape of Cappadocia and highlight the region’s role in the history of both religion and medicine.
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