[3222] Sümela Monastery, Trabzon, Türkiye

The Sumela Monastery, which stands on the foot of a steep cliff facing the Altındere Valley in the region of Maçka in Trabzon Province, Turkey, is popularly known as “Meyem Ana” (The Virgin Mary). The building complex is nearly 300 meters high and was built following the tradition of monasteries that were located outside the cities in forests near cave and source of water. The elevation of the Monastery is about 1350 meters.

 

The Monastery, founded in honor of the Virgin Mary, took the name of “Sumela” which derives from “Melas,” meaning black. Although it is thought that it has taken this name from the mountains, the Karadağlar (Black Mountains), on which it stands, it could also be associated with the black color of the icon of the Virgin Mary.

 

According to tradition, the Monastery was founded by two priests called 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 reigns of later princes, Sumela gained further wealth from new imperial grants.

 

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

 

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

 

Source: Museum Entrance

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