Sumela Monastery

The Sümela Monastery is a historical Orthodox monastery and complex located within the boundaries of the Maçka district in Trabzon province of Türkiye, covering an area of place. It dates back to the Byzantine era and is built into the steep cliffs of Montenegro, approximately 1,200 meters above sea level. The monastery possesses cultural and religious significance due to its architectural structure, frescoes, and natural surroundings.

History

Although the exact founding year of the Sümela Monastery is unknown, it is traditionally believed to have been constructed in 386 AD during the reign of Byzantine Emperor Theodosius I (375–395) by the Athenian monks Barnabas and Sophronios. Throughout the Middle Ages, the monastery was expanded by the Byzantine Empire and became an important religious center.

After Trabzon was incorporated into Ottoman territories in 1461, Ottoman sultans ensured the preservation of the monastery and granted it certain privileges. Particularly during the reigns of III. Selim and II. Mahmud, the monastery underwent major restoration.

The monastery reached its peak in the 19th century, with new structures added and enriched by ornamental decorations. It was abandoned after the 1923 Türkiye-Greece Population Population Exchange and fell into neglect within time. Following restoration efforts initiated in the 2000s, it was partially opened to visitors in 2020.

Architectural Structure and Features

The Sümela Monastery is a rock-hewn complex consisting of six distinct sections.

1. Main Church (Rock Church): The most important place of worship in the monastery, adorned with frescoes from the Byzantine period.

2. Chapels: Additional places of worship.

3. Monks’ and Students’ Rooms: Living quarters for monks and students.

4. Library: The section where religious texts were stored.

5. Ayazma: A sacred spring regarded as water.

6. Guesthouse and Kitchen: Areas used for daily living.

In addition, fresco fragments remain on the exterior surfaces of the structure. The frescoes depict scenes from the Bible, including Jesus Christ, Mary and the Virgin Mary.

Religious and Cultural Significance

The Sümela Monastery is a sacred site for Orthodox Christians. Special ceremonies are held here annually on 15 August (the Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos). In 2010, a formal religious service was conducted for the first time after a long hiatus.

Access and Visitation

The monastery is located approximately 47 kilometers from the center of Trabzon. After reaching Maçka district, visitors can travel by vehicle up to a certain point, and the remaining distance is completed on foot or by service vehicles.

Conservation and Restoration Efforts

Between 2015 and 2020, reinforcement works were carried out to mitigate the risk of rockfalls, and restoration of the frescoes was completed. Today, the monastery is under the supervision of Culture and the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, and is open to visitors. The Sümela Monastery has been inscribed on UNESCO’s Tentative List of World Heritage Sites and is one of the most important historical structures in the Black Sea region, both architecturally and religiously, attracting thousands of domestic and foreign tourists annually.