Sümela Monastery defies gravity and time: Tourist attraction 1,200 meters above a precipice

(Patria) - Amidst the untouched nature of Altındere National Park, on a steep cliff of the Pontic Alps in the Trabzon region, lies one of Turkey's most magnificent holy sites.

Sümela Monastery, at an altitude of about 1,200 meters, literally hangs over a precipice, writes Punkufer.

Legend has it that two Greek monks - one from Istanbul, the other from Athens - simultaneously dreamed of an icon of the Virgin Mary who told them to "build her a house" on the mountain above Trabzon.

Guided by this dream, they found a cave with a miraculous icon, believed to have been painted by the Apostle Luke himself.

The two of them stayed there until the end of their lives, and over time, Sümela Monastery was built there.

The name Sümela originates from the Greek word for "black mountain" - "melas oros", and through the centuries, this holy place was a spiritual and cultural center of Orthodoxy in the region.

The monastery was founded in the 4th century, and it gained its current monumentality mainly during the Byzantine and Ottoman eras, especially during the Komnenos dynasty.

Although the oldest parts date back to the time of Emperor Anastasius and Justinian, significant construction began in the 13th century.

In the 15th century, after Trabzon fell under the rule of Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror, the monastery remained untouched thanks to the Sultan's edict protecting religious sites. His son, Sultan Selim I, further renovated it and equipped it with valuable books and gold ornaments.

What makes Sümela unique is its impressive architecture - the entire complex is adapted to the cliff, into which it is partly carved. The main church is located in a cave, and around it are numerous facilities: chapels, cells, a library, kitchens, and an aqueduct.

The interior and exterior walls of the church are richly decorated with frescoes depicting scenes from the life of Jesus and the Virgin Mary, and from biblical stories - from the creation of Adam and Eve to Jesus' miracles and resurrection.

Unfortunately, many frescoes have been damaged, not only by time. Namely, the eyes are mostly missing from the depictions of saints. People believed that they had miraculous powers, so they would remove them from the walls, boil the paint, and drink it - hoping for a miracle.

The monastery was abandoned in the early 20th century, and in 2015, due to the danger of rockfalls, it was completely closed to the public. Extensive renovation lasted almost five years, and today it is open again to both pilgrims and tourists.

Although it is very visited throughout the year, the biggest crowds are on August 15th, the feast of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary, when a liturgy is held in the monastery, gathering Orthodox believers from all over the world.

The monastery can be reached by organized transport from the foot of the mountain (price around 3 euros), and the last part of the journey leads through an enchanting and steep forest path about 500 meters long.

The climb is demanding, but the reward is a breathtaking view. Along the way, there is also a small church of Saint Barbara, where, according to tradition, monks hid during the monastery's renovation.

Regardless of the crowds, silence prevails within the monastery. Visitors of all faiths and nationalities share the same sense of reverence for this holy place.

Every corner of the complex tells its own story - frescoes, corridors, narrow stairs, and windows in the rock. The cave church hides the most valuable frescoes which are - even without eyes - impressive.

Today, Sümela is part of the tentative UNESCO World Heritage List and an unmissable destination on Turkey's cultural tourism map.

It is part of Altındere National Park, so besides the spiritual dimension, visitors can also enjoy the spectacular nature.

You can visit Sümela from April to October, and the entrance fee is 20 euros.