Faith / Monastery
Sümela Monastery
Maçka, Trabzon
The Black Sea's most famous monastery, set against a steep cliff in the Altındere Valley, with its rock church and frescoes.
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Its story
The monastery, founded in the name of the Virgin Mary, stands on a steep cliff at the foot of Karadağ overlooking the Altındere Valley, about 300 meters above the valley. According to tradition, it was founded in the 4th century by two monks from Athens, Barnabas and Sophronios; its importance grew in the time of Emperor Alexios III of Trebizond (1349–1390). The Ottoman sultans preserved the monastery's privileges, and with buildings added in the 18th and 19th centuries the complex reached its most brilliant period. The monastery, vacated after 1923, has a main rock church, chapels, a kitchen, student rooms, a library and a holy spring (ayazma); the inner and outer surfaces of the rock church are covered with frescoes. It reopened to visitors after extensive restorations.
Key facts
- Period
- Origins in the 4th century; present buildings largely 18th–19th century
- Admission
- Paid (Müzekart valid)
- Getting there
- South of Maçka, within Altındere Valley National Park
- Visit duration
- 2 hours
Trip purpose
- Photography
- Day trip
- Hiking
Location
40.69011, 39.65839
Where to eat nearby
No food & drink venues listed nearby.
Map data: © OpenStreetMap contributors; Overture Maps
Reviews
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Source: Web derlemesi (doğrulanmalı): https://www.kulturportali.gov.tr/turkiye/trabzon/gezilecekyer/meryem-ana-sumela-manastiri | https://tr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sümela_Manastırı | https://www.sporx.com/sumela-manastiri-acik-mi-ziyaret-saatleri-ve-son-durum-SXHBQ1165986SXQ | https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/856740625