Sumela Monastery

Sumela Monastery, which hangs on a steep cliff in the Pontic Mountains close to Trabzon, is a Greek Orthodox sanctuary devoted to the Virgin Mary from the 4th century.

It is astonishing at 1,200 meters above sea level and offers breathtaking views of the mountains, alongside ancient chapels that are richly adorned with breathtaking frescoes.

Noted for its Byzantine roots, the site thrived during Ottoman Empire rule and served as a spiritual refuge for centuries.

Sumela has been recently restored, and abandoned in 1923, now stands as a testament of faith, nature and art in Black Sea region.