thumb|250px|right|The monastery is on a ledge in a steep cliff

thumb|250px|right|Sumela Monastery as illustrated in a postcard addressed in 1903

thumb|250px|right|The "back yard" of the monastery in 2006

Sumela Monastery (, Moní Panagías Soumelá; ) is a museum and former Greek Orthodox monastery in the Pontic Mountains, in the Maçka district of Trabzon province, Turkey.

Nestled in a steep cliff at an elevation of about facing the Altındere valley, it is a site of great historical and cultural significance, as well as a major tourist attraction within Altındere National Park. Previously, the monastery was closed to the public on September 22, 2015, for safety reasons due to an increase in rock falls, and it reopened to tourists on May 25, 2019. The monastery is one of the most important historic and touristic venues in Trabzon.

Etymology

The origin of the name of the monastery is disputed. The more popular theory is the Greek "Sou Melá", meaning "of black (mountain)" (as in the dark/black mountain). Another theory, however, is that it comes from the Laz word for the Trinity, "Sumela".

History

It is not known when the monastery was founded, but the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism places the date around AD 386, during the reign of the emperor Theodosius I (375–395 AD). According to William Miller, two Athenian monks named Barnabas and Sophronios founded the monastery. It became famous for an icon of the Theotokos known as the Panagia Gorgoepekoos, said to have been painted by the Apostle Luke.

During its long history, the monastery fell into ruin several times and was restored by various emperors. During the 6th century AD, it was restored and enlarged by the Byzantine general Belisarius at the behest of emperor Justinian.

Following the conquest by the Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II in 1461, it was granted the sultan's protection and given rights and privileges that were renewed by following sultans. The monastery remained a popular destination for monks and travelers through the years.

In 1682 and for the following decades, the monastery housed the Phrontisterion of Trapezous, a well-known Greek educational institution of the region.

Modern period

Until the end of the Russian occupation of Trabzon (1916–1918), the Sumela Monastery was active and was visited by monks and Christian and Muslim pilgrims. In 1923, the Ottoman Empire collapsed and after the National War of Liberation, an independent Turkish Republic was founded by Atatürk. After 1923, the Sumela Monastery was abandoned following the population exchange between Greece and Turkey as laid down in the Treaty of Lausanne. In 1930, those who migrated founded a new monastery which they named as the new Panagia Sumela Monastery on the slopes of Mount Vermion, near the village of Kastania near Veria, in Macedonia, Greece. Some treasures from the old Sumela Monastery were carried to the new one in Greece.

In 1930, the wooden parts of the Sumela Monastery were destroyed by fire and in the years following other parts of the monastery were damaged and pillaged by treasure hunters.

As of 25 May 2019 As of 2012, the Turkish government is funding reconstruction work, and the monastery is enjoying a revival in pilgrimage from Greece, Georgia and Russia. The monastery's primary function is as a tourist attraction. It overlooks forests and streams, making it popular for its aesthetics as well as its cultural and religious significance.

On 15 August 2010, Orthodox divine liturgy was allowed to take place in the monastery compound. A special pass issued by the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople is required to visit on August 15, the day of the Dormition of the Theotokos or Feast of the Assumption, when a divine liturgy is held. Only 450 to 500 visitors are allowed inside the monastery, although widescreen televisions are available to observe the event at a nearby cafe.

On 22 September 2015, the Monastery was closed to visitors for three years due to necessary restoration and field work. It reopened on May 18, 2019.

In 2022, video footage showed modern music and dancing at the site. Amid outcry on the internet that the historic monastery was turned into a dance club, an explanation was given that this was done to promote tourism.

Construction and buildings

thumb|250px|right|View of Sümela

The principal elements of the Monastery complex are the Rock Church, several chapels, kitchens, student rooms, a guesthouse, a library, and a sacred spring revered by Eastern Orthodox Christians.

The large aqueduct at the entrance, which supplied water to the Monastery, is constructed against the side of the cliff. The aqueduct has many arches which have mostly been restored. The entrance to the Monastery leads up a long and narrow stairway. There is a guard-room next to the entrance. The stairs lead down from there to the inner courtyard. On the left, in front of a cave, there are several monastery buildings. The cave, which was converted into a church, constitutes the center of the monastery. The library is to the right.

The large building with a balcony on the front part of the cliff was used for the monks' cells and for housing guests. It dates from 1840.

thumb|250px|right|Restoration works in 2019

The inner and outer walls of the Rock Church and the walls of the adjacent chapel are decorated with frescoes. Frescoes dating from the era of Alexios III of Trebizond line the inner wall of the Rock Church facing the courtyard. The frescoes of the chapel which were painted on three levels in three different periods are dated to the beginning of the 18th century.

thumb|250px|right|After restoration

The frescoes of the monastery are seriously damaged due to vandalism. The main subject of the frescoes are biblical scenes telling the story of Jesus and the Virgin Mary.

During the 2015–2017 restoration works, a secret tunnel was discovered which lead to a place which is believed to have served as a temple or chapel for Christians. Also, unseen frescoes were discovered depicting heaven and hell as well as life and death.

Protection Rules

Sumela Monastery is protected under Turkish national heritage laws. The site was first registered as a 1st degree archaeological site in 1972 by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. This means that the building and its natural environment are protected and it is forbidden to build anything new or change existing structures without legal permission. All the interventions must be approved by the Regional Conservation Board.

In 2000, Sumela Monastery entered the UNESCO Tentative List. This means the monastery has potential to become a World Heritage Site, but it's not fully accepted. Being on the list helps to bring attention and makes the government work for more protection. Also Sumela is inside the borders of Altindere National Park, the area is under environmental protections. Building new roads or parking areas close to the monastery is not allowed without permissions. Day by day new legal updates try to ensure minimum intervention and better control.

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Image:Sümela manastır.jpg|Sümela

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Image:Sumela interior.JPG|Interior

Image:Sümela Manastırının iç kısmı.jpg

Image:Sumela view3.JPG

File:61750_Altındere-Maçka-Trabzon,_Turkey_-_panoramio_(10).jpg

File:61750_Altındere-Maçka-Trabzon,_Turkey_-_panoramio_(16).jpg

File:61750_Altındere-Maçka-Trabzon,_Turkey_-_panoramio_(5).jpg

File:Klášter_Sumela_-_panoramio.jpg

File:61750_Alt%C4%B1ndere-Ma%C3%A7ka-Trabzon,_Turkey_-_panoramio_(8).jpg

File:61750_Altındere-Maçka-Trabzon,_Turkey_-_panoramio_(6).jpg

File:Fresco_in_Sumela_monestary.jpg

File:Panagia_Soumela_Παναγία_Σουμελά_(39670786834).jpg

Image:Rock Church, Sumela.JPG|Rock Church

File:Sumela monastery in province of Trabzon, Turkey view from the road.JPG

File:61750 Altındere-Maçka-Trabzon, Turkey - panoramio (13).jpg

File:Altındere_Valley_National_Park_13.jpg

File:Sümela Manastiri - panoramio (6).jpg

File:Sümela Manastiri - panoramio (5).jpg

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See also

  • Hagia Sophia, Trabzon
  • Mokissos

References

  • Turkish Government's website
  • The History of the icon of Panagia Soumela
  • VR Photography Inside of Panagia Soumela
  • Greek Orthodox Liturgy in Turkey: Uncovering the Country's Non-Muslim Cultural Heritage
  • Photos of Sumela Monastery
  • Photographic survey of Sumela Monastery