Is Sumela Monastery Worth It?

Yes, Sumela Monastery is worth it: few places in Turkey match a monastery clinging to a cliff above a forested valley. The walk up through the forest leads to a cave church covered in frescoes. It lies about 47 kilometers (29 miles) south of Trabzon, so it fits into a half day, or a full day with the lake of Uzungöl. Parts of the monastery may be closed, so ask us to confirm before you plan a visit.

Why is Sumela Monastery worth it?

Sumela Monastery is worth it for the setting first. It stands on a cliff about 300 meters (980 feet) above the Altındere valley, and mist often drifts below its balconies. In legend, the monastery was founded around 386, when two monks from Athens came looking for an icon of the Virgin. Later, in the 13th and 14th centuries, the rulers of the Empire of Trebizond made it rich. In 2000, UNESCO added it to its tentative list of World Heritage Sites.

What will you see at Sumela?

At Sumela, you will see a monastery built into the rock. From the parking area, a path climbs through the forest, and at the entrance an aqueduct of many arches runs along the cliff. Then a long, narrow stairway leads down into the courtyard. At the heart of the monastery, the monks turned a cave into a church, and frescoes of Jesus, the Virgin and the archangels cover its walls. Also, the restoration that began in 2015 uncovered a chapel reached by a hidden passage, with frescoes of Heaven and Hell.

How long do you need at Sumela?

You need about half a day for Sumela, including the drive from Trabzon. The restored path and stairs to the monastery are about 300 meters (980 feet) long and steep, so wear good shoes. Then, for a full day, our Sumela Monastery and Uzungöl tour continues to the lake village of Uzungöl. Our Trabzon Rize tour in 3 days adds the tea hills of Rize, Zilkale and Ayder. Leave Trabzon early, so you walk up before the coaches.

Is Sumela worth it in rain or mist?

Yes, Sumela is worth it in mist too, because the cloud in the valley is part of its beauty. Mist and rain often fill the valley, so bring a rain jacket. In the valley below, the forest and its streams draw walkers in every season. On August 15, the Feast of the Dormition, an Orthodox liturgy has been held here in some years.

What else can you do near Sumela?

Near Sumela, eat your way along the old roads. Drive on toward the Zigana pass for Hamsiköy rice pudding, baked with a browned top. The tradesmen’s chamber of Maçka, the district of Sumela, holds its registered name, and Akçaabat köftesi has been a registered name since 2010. Then come back via Akçaabat for its meatballs by the sea. In Trabzon itself, the Hagia Sophia of Trabzon has 13th-century frescoes by the sea. For the history behind both, read the Empire of Trebizond, and for hotels, where to stay on the Black Sea.

Would you like Sumela early in the morning, with a guide who reads the frescoes for you? We like Sumela early, so send us your dates and we will start the day from Trabzon at the right hour.