Sumela is one of the highlights of our exclusive tours and we visit it usually on the first day to kick start your amazing experience. It is probably the most know item on our itinerary and about to be heritage listed by UNESCO. It has been undergoing restorations since 2015 and visitors were only able to see it from a distance up until recently. The tourism ministry has announced that, it will be partially open to public in a couple of weeks which has been exciting news for travellers that have this gem on their bucket list.
Sumela Monastery
Sumela is a Greek Orthodox monastery, built around 386 AD and dedicated to Virgin Mary. It was abandoned during the ‘population exchange’. The main church is formed from a natural cave and a high point of visit. Even though many of them have been defaced, the monastery is covered both inside and out with colourful frescoes. It was once a very popular pilgrimage destination.
What makes Sumela very special is probably its location at 1300 meters high, clinging to a sheer cliff over ever green forests on Mount Mela of the Pontic Mountains in Trabzon. The arrival of the twirling daily fog and the call to prayer from a hidden mosque nearby creates an ethereal feeling.
What is in it?
The monastery’s complex consists of the Rock Church, several chapels, kitchens, student rooms, a guesthouse, a library, and a sacred spring revered by Eastern Orthodox Christians. During the most recent restoration process, they have discovered new frescoes and a secret tunnel that believed to lead to a temple or chapel for Christians.
If you are joining one of our tours, your private car will take you there and your experienced tour guide will talk you through all important and fascinating details of Sumela. There is an entrance fee for the Altindere Valley National Park and it changes based on what vehicle you are entering the park with. This fee is covered as part of your tour.
If you are driving from Trabzon, you need to take the E97 highway south and take a left turn at Macka. Follow the signs to the Sumela Monastery, also signed as Meryamana.
You can also take small buses called dolmus from Trabzon, Comlekci Caddesi to Macka or you can take a taxi. Please keep in mind that the schedule for dolmuses can be erratic and remember to negotiate a return fee for the taxi if you choose that option.