CONCERNS are being raised in various interest communities over the fate of little-known frescoes depicting Jesus which are located at the Yediler Monastery located in the Beşparmak Mountains which passes through the district of Milas.
The frescoes show scenes of Jesus’ life, works and death, bit are slowly being destroyed as they are not officially protected.
The frescoes on the cave wall of the Yediler Monastery are located in the Beşparmak Mountains (Latmos), an extension of the Western Menteşe Mountains that extend over a wide area in the Söke district of Aydın and the Muğla province.
The frescoes show “The resurrection of Lazarus’,’ The crucifixion of Jesus Christ ‘ and “The grave theme.”
But walkers and locals fear the frescoes are being destroyed, particularly the faces of the people depicted.
Local residents said they had been passing on information to the authorities and specialists who came to the area many times to review the site, but have not been trying to protect this historical heritage from anyone other than themselves for years.
On the other hand, it appeared that the Society for the Protection of Ecosystems and the Association of Nature Friends (EKODOSD) also warned about destruction of monasteries and destruction of frescoes.
EKODOSD first stated in 2009 that the frescoes depicting ‘a painting of a rock in the vicinity of the monastery and depicting the Prophet Jesus (as) from birth to his death have been made day by day, and iron bars have been built around him to protect him, and guests are also offered to watch from outside’.
Muğla Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism wrote to the association in 2010 that “In order to protect the Historical Yediler Monastery, Within the scope of joint works of İzmir Relay and Monuments Directorate and Milas Museum Directorate; the project was started to work on the route to reach the monastery with the fence of the rock and the fence of the historical environment wall and frescoes.
However, it was noted that no steps were taken during the last 9 years.