Founded in honor of the Virgin Mary, Sumela Monastery lies at the bottom of a tall cliff, in the Trabzon region. One of the oldest monasteries in the world, it is now one of Turkey’s most popular tourist attractions.

Sumela Monastery

Locals say Sumela was built in the year 386, during the reign of emperor Thodosius I, by two Athenian priests, Barnabas and Sofronius, but there are no historical documents to confirm these facts. According to legend, the two priests found an icon of the Virgin Mary in one of the mountain caves and decided to remain there and build a holy place.

The monastery fell into ruin many times, throughout its long history, but it was miraculously restored by several Roman Emperors, including Justinian. Sumela’s present-day form dates back to the 13^th century, when a large amount of the imperial funds was used for its expansion. Building a small shrine on such difficult terrain was a remarkable feat in those times, but an architectural achievement of such great proportions was almost unimaginable.

After the Trebizonda Empire was conquered by the Ottomans, Sultan Mehmed II was so impressed with Sumela Monastery, that instead of tearing it down,  he offered it special protection and privileges that were renewed by following sultans. Even during the conflict between Ottomans and Christians, monks were allowed to travel to the holy monastery of Sumela.

Between the years 1926 and 1918, Sumela fell under the influence of Russia, which had occupied the Trabzon region. In 1923 the monastery was abandoned, and since then it has served as a national tourist attraction. The government has allocated important sums of money to the restoration and maintenance of Sumela complex, acknowledging its value as a piece of history and religion, but also as a very profitable tourist attraction.

The inner and outer walls of the monastery are covered with frescoes depicting Christ and the Virgin Mary, in various biblical scenes. Most of the frescoes were relocated from their original places and are now severely damaged, but their artistic value is unquestionable. Hollow rock protected the outdoor paintings from rain but it could not protect them against sheepherders who tested their aims by throwing rocks at them.

Sumela Monastery stands guard over the whole of Altindere Valley, and offers incredible views of the surrounding area. It’s definitely a must-see destination and definitely worth the hard climb along the mountain.

Photo credits: 1, 2, 3, 4

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