Sumela (Sümela Manastırı) is a Greek Orthodox monastery built into the face of a sheer cliff above Altındere Valley, about 46 km south of Trabzon. It is the most photographed place in the Black Sea region, and unlike many photographed places it lives up to the picture: a multi-storey stone building and a cave church that seem to hang from the rock above a deep pine forest. This is the dedicated visiting guide; for the wider area see things to do in Trabzon and day trips from Trabzon.
Quick facts
| Location | Altındere Valley National Park, Maçka, about 46 km south of Trabzon |
| Altitude | Roughly 1,200 m on a cliff about 300 m above the valley floor |
| Fee | Not officially confirmed for 2026; reported roughly 150 to 300 TL |
| Hours | About 08:00 to 19:00 in summer and 08:00 to 17:00 in winter |
| Time needed | About 3 hours including the climb; 4 to 5 hours from Trabzon |
Prices and hours are not stable across sources and no official 2026 notice was found, so treat them as ranges as of October 2026. The monastery’s own information is at sumela.gov.tr (in Turkish), and the national tourism site Go Türkiye has general guidance. A separate park entry or parking charge usually applies at the valley, and some sources report Museum Pass acceptance, so ask at the gate.
History in short
Tradition says two Athenian monks, Barnabas and Sophronios, founded Sumela in 386 under Emperor Theodosius I after finding a miraculous icon of the Virgin in a cave. The earliest surviving buildings are far later. The monastery grew rich under the Empire of Trebizond, and was patronised by the Komnenos emperors, particularly Alexios III in the 14th century, and later Ottoman sultans confirmed its privileges. The monks left in 1923 with the population exchange between Greece and Türkiye. The icon was taken to Greece, where a new Panagia Soumela monastery was built near Veria.
Sumela was empty for most of the 20th century and suffered fire and looting. Restoration over the last decade has repeatedly closed sections, and a service is held on 15 August each year for the Feast of the Dormition, attended by Orthodox pilgrims from Greece and elsewhere.
What to see
- The rock church: The cave church of the Virgin Mary, with frescoes covering the walls and ceiling in layers from several centuries. The oldest sections are Byzantine, but most of what you see dates from the 18th and 19th centuries.
- The main courtyard and facade: The stone building houses cells, a guest hall and a kitchen. Its wooden balconies hang over the drop.
- Fountain and chapel: A sacred spring that drips from the rock, and a small chapel beside it.
- Graffiti damage: Many frescoes were scratched and defaced over the years, and restoration is ongoing. Do not touch the walls.
- The view: The viewpoint from the courtyard looks down over the forest to the river, which is the best place to take photographs.
How to get there from Trabzon
By tour. The easiest option. Tours leave Trabzon in the morning and usually combine Sumela with Uzungöl or the Maçka lowlands. Compare options in best tours in Trabzon or browse Trabzon tours.
By dolmuş and taxi. Dolmuş minibuses run from central Trabzon to Maçka (about 40 minutes), and a taxi continues up Altındere Valley to the car park (about 15 to 20 minutes). Agree the fare and the waiting time first. A full-day taxi from Trabzon, with waiting time and a stop at Uzungöl, is more convenient for groups of three or four.
By car. The road from Trabzon via Maçka is paved and signposted. Parking is available at the park entrance. Read our renting a car in Turkey guide if you plan to drive the Black Sea region.
The walk up
From the car park, a steep footpath with steps climbs about 1 km to the monastery. It takes 20 to 30 minutes, and is hard in heat or rain, with no handrails in places. Allow time to rest and wear shoes with grip. A walkway and stairs lead around the cliff and through the monastery.
Best time to visit
Early morning, from 08:00, is best: the mist often hangs in the valley, the light is soft and tour buses arrive after about 10:30. May to October is the usual season. July and August are busiest. Winter brings snow and fog, and some years bring closures. The Black Sea coast is rainy across most of the year, so bring a rain jacket even in summer. See our best time to visit Trabzon guide for month-by-month conditions.
Practical tips
- Hours and closures: Check before you go. Sections can close for restoration or rockfall checks.
- Dress: It is a religious site, so cover shoulders and knees and speak quietly in the church.
- Mobility: The path and stairs rule out wheelchairs and make the visit difficult with limited mobility.
- Food: Trout restaurants line the valley road near the park entrance and in Maçka. See our Trabzon food guide for Black Sea dishes to try.
- Combine with: Uzungöl lake village, and the wider Black Sea itinerary.