Sumela Monastery

The Sumela Monastery, which stands on the foot of a steep cliff facing the Altindere valley in the region of Maçka in Trabzon province, is populary known as "Meryem Ana" (The Virgin Mary). The building complex is nearly 300 metres high and was built following the tradition of monasteries that were located outside the cities in forests near caves and sources of water.

The Monastery, founded in honour of the Virgin Mary, took the name of "Sumela" which derives from "Melas", meaning black. Althought, it is thought that it has taken this name from the mountains, the Karadaglar (Black Mountains), on which it stands, it could also associated with the black colour of the icon of the Virgin Mary.

According to tradition, the Monastery was founded by two priests caled Barnabas and Sophronius who came from Athens during the reign of the Emperor Theodousius I (AD 375-395). Then, in the 6th century, it was restored by the General Belisarius at the behest the Emperor Justinian who wanted it to be enlarged and restored.

The Monastery reached its final, present form in the 13th century . It gained importance during the reign of Alexios III (1349-1390) of the Comnenian Empire of Trabzon, which had been established in 1204. Its income was assured from imperial funds. During the time of Manuel III, son of Alexios III, and the reign of later princes, Sumela gained further wealth from new imperial grants.

Like most other monasteries, the rghts of the Sumela Monastery were preserved by the Ottoman Sultans ans some special priveleges were given after Eastern Black Sea Coast came under domination of the Turks.

During the 18th century the many parts of Monastery were restored and the walls were decorated with frescoes. In the 19th centu, the Monastery took on an impressive appearance which addition of larger buildings. This was the Monastery's heyday and it attracted many foreign travellers who mentioned it in their writings.

The Monastery was seized by the Russians during the occupation of Trabzon between 1916-1918, and then in 1923 it was completely abandoned.

The principal elements of the Monastery complex are the Rock Church, several chapels, kitchens, student rooms, a guesthouse, library and sacred spring revered by Orthodox Greeks. There were built over a very large area.

The large aqueduct at the entrnace, which cleary supplied water to Monastery, is constructed against the side of the cliff. The aqueduct has many arches which is now mostly restorated.

The entrance of the Monastery leads up by a long and narrow stairway. There is a guard-room next to the entrance. The stairs lead from there to the inner courtyard. On the left, in front of the cave, which constitutes the centre of the Monastery and which was turned into a church, there are several Monastery buildings. The library is on the right.

The large building which a balcony on the front part of the cliff was used for the monks' cells and guesthouse, it dates to 1860.

The influence of Turkish art can be observed in the design of the cupboards, niches and fire-places in the rooms of the buildings surrunding the courtyard.

The inner and outer walls of the Rock Church and the walls of the adjacent chapel whch were painted on three levels in three differnet periods are dated to the begining of the 18th century. The frescoes of the bottom band are of superior quality.

The frescoes of the Sumela Monastery are seriously damaged since they have largely been moved from their original settings. The main subject of the frescoes are biblical scenes ans scenes telling the story of Christ and the Virgin Mary.

Photos from Sumela Monastery