VIRGIN MARY MONASTERY (SUMELA MONASTERY)

The Sumela Monastery, which stands at the foot of a steep cliff facing the Altındere valley in the region of Maçka in Trabzon Province, is popularly known as "Meryem Ana" (The Virgin Mary). The building complex is nearly 300 metres high and was built following the tradition of monasteries that were located outside the cities in forest near caves and sources of water.

The Monastery, founded in honour 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 stands, it could also be associated with the black colour 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 Theodosius I (AD 375 - 395). Then, in the 6th century, it was restored by the General Belisarius at the behest 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 Alexius III, and the reigns of later princes, Sumela gained further wealth from new imperial grants.

Like most other monasteries, the rights of the Sumela Monastery were preserved by the Ottoman Sultans and some special privileges were given after the Eastern Black Sea Coast came under the domination of the Turks.

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 appearence with the addition of larger buildings. This was the Monastery's heyday and it attracted many foreign travellers who mentioned it in their writings.

The Monastery was seized by the Russian during the occupation of Trabzon between 1916 - 1918, and then in 1923 it was completely abandoned.

The principal elements of the Monastery complex are the Rock Church, several chapels, kitchens, student rooms, a guesthouse, library and sacred spring revered by Orthodox Greeks. These were built over a very large area.

The large aqueduct at the entrance, which clearly supplied water to the Monastery, is constructed against the side of the cliff. The aqueduct has many arches which now mostly restorated.

The entrance to the Monastery leads up by a long and narrow stairway. There is guard-room next to the entrance. The stairs lead from there to the inner courtyard. On the left, in front of cave, which constitutes the centre of the Monastery and which was turned into a church , there are several monastery buildings. 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 as guesthouse. It dates to 1860.

The influence of Turkish art can be observed in the design of the cupboards, niches and fire-place in the rooms of the buildings surrounding the courtyard.

The inner and outer walls of the Rock Church and the walls of the adjacent chapel are decorated with frescoes. The frescoes of the time of Alexios III can be seen on 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. The frescoes of the bottom band are of superior quality.

The frescoes of the Sumela Monastery are seriously damaged since they have largely been moved from their original settings. The main subject of the frescoes are biblical scenes telling the story of Christ and the Virgin Mary.

The much important sections of Sumela has been restorated and restorations, conservations are still continued.