Sümela Monastery is located on the western slopes of the Virgin Mary Stream within the borders of the Altındere valley in Trabzon's Maçka district. It is a Greek Orthodox monastery and church complex built in dedication to the Virgin Mary. The 1600-year-old ancient Orthodox monastery is located on a steep cliff overlooking lush forests and streams at an altitude of 1200 metres in the beautiful Altındere National Park. Built in the 4th century, the monastery is one of the oldest monasteries in the Christian world.
The monastery is popularly known as 'Mother Mary'. Although the origin of the name is not known exactly, according to some sources, it comes from 'Melas', which means black, or from the Montenegros on which it is located. Some experts believe that it comes from the black colour of the icon of the Virgin Mary, which is a possible hypothesis since Black Madonnas are very common.
The monastery was founded during the reign of Emperor Theodosius I (375-395 AD) by two Athenian monks, Barnabas and Sophronius. It was later restored in the 6th century by General Belisarius at the request of Emperor Justinian. The monastery took its present form in the 13th century, during the reign of a wealthy emperor, Alexios III (1349-1390) of the Komnenos Empire of Trabzon (or Trabzon), founded in 1204.
Like many other monasteries, the rights of the Sumela Monastery were protected by the Ottoman Sultans, and some special privileges were granted after the Eastern Black Sea region came under Ottoman rule.
During the 18th century the Sumela Monastery expanded and prospered under the patronage of the Voivodas; many parts were rebuilt and restored, and some wall surfaces were decorated with frescoes. In the 19th century, however, the monastery experienced its impressive golden years, with grand buildings and marvellous decorations, which were funded by countless gifts sent from Greek Orthodox communities all over Anatolia. It was also during this period that many travellers from all over the world began to come to visit this majestic complex, built 1200 metres above sea level.
Sumela Monastery
From 18 April 1916 to 24 February 1918, the Russian occupation of the Trabzon region gave hope for the re-establishment of a Christian state in Pontus. However, in 1923, following the National War of Independence, the monastery was abandoned following the forced population exchange between Turkey and Greece.
In 1930, the tragic events at the Sumela Monastery continued with a major fire that destroyed all the wooden parts of the monastery.
