Sumela

Sumela is a historic Greek Orthodox monastery built into a sheer cliff face in the Altındere Valley of Trabzon Province in northeastern Turkey, near the town of Macka. The complex lies within Altındere National Park and is renowned for its dramatic setting overlooking the Pontic Mountains.

The site has long been associated with monastic life in the region, with the present structures dating mainly from the 13th–14th centuries during the Byzantine era. Legends attribute its founding to a hermit or monk, but the historical record is uncertain. Over the centuries the monastery functioned as a religious and cultural center for Orthodox Christians in Lazistan and surrounding areas, continuing to be an important symbol of Pontic Greek heritage.

Architecturally, Sumela consists of a network of rock-cut buildings attached to the cliff, including a main church dedicated to the Virgin Mary, as well as monks’ cells, kitchens, and storage areas. The interior houses a collection of frescoes and icons dating from the 14th through the 18th centuries, depicting biblical scenes, saints, and Marian imagery. The artwork is valued for its historical stylistic qualities but has faced deterioration from humidity and age, prompting conservation efforts.

Access to the monastery is by road from Macka, followed by a hillside path and stairways up to the cliff face. The site remains a major tourist destination and is regarded as a key monument of Byzantine-era rock-cut architecture in the region. Restoration and preservation work have continued to safeguard its frescoes and structure for study and public visitation.