Monastery of the Virgin

Monastery of the Virgin Review

Set in a dramatic valley and clinging to the side of a sheer cliff, the Sümela monastery is stunning to behold. Orthodox monks founded the retreat in the 5th century, living in cliff-top caves surrounding a shrine hosuing a miraculous icon of the Virgin painted by St. Luke. The labyrinth of courtyards, corridors, and chapels date from the time of Emperor Alexius III of Trebizond, who was crowned here in 1340—the monastery continued under the Sultans and the monks remained until the Greeks were expelled from Turkey in 1922. Although the icon and other treasures have been removed, extensive fresoces done between the 14th and 18th centuries remain. They are not as not as well preserved as those at Trabzon's and sections have been chipped away or scribbled over by graffiti artists, but they are impressive nonetheless in their depictions of Old and New Testament images—look for an Arab-looking Jesus, an almost African virgin, and a scene of Adam and Eve, expelled from Eden, taking up a plough. The first, lower, parking lot, is beside the river and Sümela Restaurant. From here a well-worn trail to the monastery is a rigorous 40-minute hike. Further on is a second, upper parking lot, at the level of the monastery, a 15-minute walk away on a level path. Most organized day excursions from Trabzon drop you at the upper lot and collect you from the lower one.