The Sumela Monastery In Turkey’s Black Sea Province Of Trabzon – Best Places To Visit
Many places in Turkish history were once Greek and the Sumela monastery was once a Greek monastic monastery. Many parts of Blackwater were Greek. This area is occupied by the Greek pontics in a region that is now Turkey’s Trabzon Province.
Black Sea regions in Turkey are less explored than tourists but are filled with history as well as attractions. Sumela monastery is located on an isolated rock at around 1,200m above the surface, overlooking the Altindery Valley.
Where Is The Sumela Monastery Complex?
The Sumela Monastery complex is located in the Altindere National Park in Turkey. The outer walls of the monastery are built into the side of a cliff, and the only way to access the complex is by climbing stairs or taking a cable car.
The monastery was founded in the 4th century and was once one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the Eastern Orthodox Church. Today, the complex is largely abandoned, but visitors can still explore the outer walls and some of the inner chambers.
History of Sumela Monastery – A Rock Church
The Sumela Monastery was founded in the 4th century by three monks from Athens. The monastery is located in the Pontic Mountains of Turkey, on the cliffs of Mount Mela. The name “Sumela” comes from the Greek word for “black”, and refers to the dark color of the rocks that the monastery is built on.
The monastery was destroyed by Persian invaders in the 7th century but was rebuilt by Emperor Justinian in the 6th century. The monastery flourished during the Byzantine period and became one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Christendom. However, after the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople in 1453, the Sumela Monastery went into decline.
It was abandoned in 1923 when all of its remaining monks left for Greece. In the 1950s, an attempt was made to restore it. In 1993, a large-scale restoration began in order to convert it into a museum. The monks returned in 2004, and continue to live there today. Sumela is one of the most important examples of Byzantine architecture.
When was the Sumela Monastery built?
Nestled in the mountains of Turkey is the Sumela monastery, a beautiful and unique religious site that has been attracting pilgrims for centuries. But just when was this place built?
The exact date of the construction of the Sumela monastery is unknown, but it is believed to have been founded in the 4th century by two Greek monks who had a vision of the Virgin Mary. The location of the monastery, high up on a cliff face, made it difficult to access and so it remained relatively unknown for many years.
It wasn’t until the 13th century that the first records of pilgrimages to Sumela began to appear, and since then it has become one of the most popular pilgrimage sites in Turkey. Today, visitors can still see many of the original features of the monastery, including its stunning Byzantine frescoes.
Construction of Sumela Monastery – The Greek orthodox monastery
Sumela Monastery was built on the side of a cliff in the mountains of Turkey. The monastery was constructed in the 4th century and was used by monks as a place to worship and meditate. The monastery contains many biblical scenes and is one of the most extreme cliff-hanging monasteries in the world.
This huge church was built over a period with new parts added as necessary. The murals that decorate the walls of the monastery were painted in several periods. In the early years of their establishment, there were neither the beautiful façade nor the monastery sections, which resemble medieval castles and adorn postcards today.
The cave lies to the north of the temple and monasteries were built in the midst of labyrinths interconnected in spiral twisted interconnecting lines.
How high is Panagia Sumela Monastery?
Sumela Monastery, also known as the Virgin Mary’s Rock, is a Greek Orthodox monastery located in the Turkish province of Macka. The monastery was founded in 386 AD by two Athenian monks, Barnabas and Sophronius. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Turkey.
The Panagia Sumela Monastery is built into the side of a cliff face and is reachable only by a long staircase. It is unclear how high the monastery actually is, but estimates put it at around 300 feet (91 meters).
Why was the Sumela monastery built?
The monastery was built in the early 4th century by two Greek monks, Barnabas and Sophronius. They were seeking a place of solitude to worship God. The site they chose was on the side of a cliff in the Pontus Mountains. It was an ideal location for them because it was remote and difficult to access.
The monastery became known as a place of pilgrimage for Christians from all over the world. Over time, the monastery grew and expanded. Today, it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Turkey. Visitors can explore the ruins of the monastery and enjoy stunning views of the surrounding landscape. Entrance fees are charged for access to the site.
Opening Hours of Sumela Monastery
Sumelra monastery has opening times from 9 a.m to 7 p.m. daily although I highly suggest you go as early as possible to stop the crowds.
How to Get From Istanbul to Trabzon Turkey
Once you arrive in Istanbul, you’ll then have to go to Trabzon, the largest town close to Sumelo Monastery on the southern shore of Black Sea Turkey. There are many options for getting from Istanbul to Trabzon as follows:
By Flight. The easiest way to get from Istanbul to Trabzon will be by going to Trabzon Airport. There are around 6-7 flights daily between Turkey Airlines and Turkish Airlines serving both cities between 7 am and 22:50. The flight from Istanbul is approximately 1 hour 45 minutes, which should be around 45 USD, which is reasonably cheap.
Sumela Monastery Admission Fee
Sumela Monastery entrance fee is 75 Turkish Liras as of 2022. Tickets are free for children under 8 years.
Do monks still live in the Sumela monastery?
It was founded in the 4th century by two Greek monks, Barnabas and Sophronius, and was once home to over 1,000 monks. But after the Ottoman Empire conquered Constantinople in 1453, the number of monks dwindled to just a handful. The last monk left Sumela in 1923 when Turkey became a secular republic.
Today, Sumela is a popular tourist destination. Visitors can hike to the monastery, which is perched on a sheer cliff face high above the Altindere Valley. But there are no monks living there anymore.
Why was the Sumela monastery abandoned?
The Sumela monastery in Turkey was abandoned due to its location. The monastery is located on a cliff and at a high altitude, which made it difficult for people to access.
Additionally, the area around the monastery is prone to earthquakes and landslides, which made it unsafe for people to live there. The monastery was also frequently attacked by bandits, which made it difficult for monks to live there.
How do you access Sumela Monastery?
To get to Sumela Monastery, you have to make the trek from Trabzon city. The most common way to get there is by bus or dolmus, which are small vans that operate like shared taxis.
You can also take a taxi from the city center, but it will be more expensive. Once you arrive at Altindere National Park, there is a 4km hike to reach the monastery. The path is well marked and takes about an hour to complete.
If you’re up for an adventure, you can try your hand at rock climbing to reach the monastery. There are two routes that climbers can take, both of which are challenging. The first route is 5.10a and the second is 5.11b.
What is inside Sumela Monastery?
Rising high above the Altindere National Park in Turkey’s Trabzon Province is the breathtaking Sumela Monastery. Founded in the 4th century by two Greek monks, Barnabas and Sophronius, this Orthodox Christian monastery was carved into a large cliff face and held great religious and political significance during its time.
The monastery complex is made up of several buildings including a large aqueduct, living quarters, a church, and a library. The most striking feature of the Sumela Monastery is its beautiful Byzantine-style frescoes which adorn the walls of the church. These paintings depict scenes from the life of Christ as well as various saints and biblical stories.
Monasteries and ruins: The main components in the complex include the Rock church, several churches, kitchen, student rooms, guest houses, libraries and holy water sources. The rock church is the main building within the Sumela monastery.
Who was Barnabas Of The Athenian Monks?
Barnabas was one of the most important figures in the history of the Sumela Monastery. He was born in Athens and later became a monk at the monastery. Barnabas is known for his work in restoring the monastery after it was damaged by an earthquake.
He also helped to spread the Orthodox Christian faith throughout Turkey. Barnabas is considered to be one of the most important cultural figures in Turkish history.
Who was Sophronius Of The Athenian Monks?
Sophronius of the Athenian Monks was a monk who lived in the fourth century. He is best known for his work on the Lives of the Desert Fathers, which is a collection of biographies of early Christian monks who lived in the Egyptian desert.
Sophronius was also one of the founders of the first cenobitic monastery, which was a type of monastic community where monks lived and worked together. The cenobitic monastery that Sophronius founded was located in Egypt and was called The Great Laura.
Why Its a major tourist attraction
The Sumela Monastery is a major tourist attraction because of its history and its location. The monastery is located on a steep cliff face overlooking the Black Sea. The views from the monastery are breathtaking and make it a popular spot for tourists to visit.
A popular destination
Located in the Macka district of the Trabzon province in Turkey, the Sumela Monastery is a popular destination for both local and international tourists. The monastery is built into the side of a cliff and is only accessible by a narrow and steep path. Despite its remote location, the monastery was once one of the most important religious sites in the Byzantine Empire.
Today, the monastery is in ruins but visitors can still explore its many chambers and courtyards. The views from the monastery are breathtaking and well worth the hike up to it. If you’re looking for an off-the-beaten-path destination, the Sumela Monastery is definitely worth a visit.
Cultural significance
Despite its turbulent history, the monastery remains an important cultural site for both Christians and Muslims.
The monastery is significant for Christians because it is one of the oldest Christian monasteries in the world. It is also significant for Muslims because it is one of the few remaining examples of Islamic architecture from the Ottoman Empire. The monastery attracts pilgrims from both religions.
The Sumela Monastery is a reminder of the religious diversity that once existed in Turkey. In a time when relations between Christians and Muslims are often strained, the monastery stands as a symbol of cooperation and tolerance.
Karaca Cave
The monastery is located in the cave of Karaca, which is situated on a very steep and high cliff.
The cave of Karaca is a very difficult place to access. In order to reach the monastery, one has to climb up a very steep and narrow path. This path is so narrow that only one person can pass through at a time. Moreover, it is also very dangerous as there are many rockslides.
Despite all these difficulties, the monastery was built and it became a place of pilgrimage for Christians from all over the world.
Sumela Monastery Images Gallery
