TURKEY - THE BLACK SEA REGION

THE BLACK SEA REGION

The Black Sea Region encompasses eighteen provinces on the north end of Turkey. Made out of steep cliffs, lush pine forests and valleys cradling the serene coastal towns and cities below, the region promises a relaxing getaway amidst tradition and history.

Historical, religious and cultural elements abound the region has kept its unique identity and customs intact while moving with the times. Famous icons such as the Ataturk Memorial of Samsun, the Lesser Ayasofya Museum of Trabzon and the Sumela Monastery are but a few of the many sights to take in, here in the Black Sea Region.

The Sumela Monastery stands at the foot of a steep cliff facing the Altindere valley in the region of Macka in Trabzon Province, Turkey. It is a major tourist attraction located in the Altindere National Park. It lies at an altitude of about 1200 metres overlooking much of the alpine scenery below.

The monastery was founded in the year 386 ( during the reign of the Empreror Theodosius I, Ad 375 to  395) by 2 Athenian priests- Barnabas and Sophronius according to the Turkish Ministry of Culture.Legend states that they found an icon of the Virgin Mary in a cave on the Mountain and decided to remain in order to establish the monastery.

During its long history , the monastery had fallen into ruin several times and been restored by successive emperors. During the 6^th century AD, it was restored and enlarged by General Belisarius at the behest of Justinian

It reached its present form in the 13^th century after gaining prominence during the reign of Alexios III ( 1349 to 1390) of the Komnenian Empire of Trebizond ( established in 1204). At that time, it was granted an income from imperial funds. During the time of Manuel III, son of Alexios III and the reigns of later princess, Sumela gained further wealth from new imperial grants.

Following the conquest by the Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II in 1461,it was granted protection by order of the Sultan and given rights and privileges which were renewed by following Sultans. Monks and travellers continued to journey there throughout the years and the monastery was extremely popular up until the 19^th century. The Monastery was seized for a time by the Trabzon between 1916 and1918.

It was finally abandoned in 1923, following the population exchanges between Greece and Turkey after the Treaty of Lausanne.

The principal elements of the Monastery complex are the Rock Church, several chapels,kitchens, student rooms , a guesthouse , library and a scared 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 have mostly been restored to date.

The entrance to the Monastery leads up a long and narrow stairway. A guardroom is situated next to the entrance. The stairs lead to the inner courtyard. On the left, in front of cave, there are several monastery buildings, including the library. The cave, which was converted into a church, constitution the centre of the Monastery.

A large building with a balcony on the front of the cliff was used as monks’ quarters and as a guesthouse, dating as far back as 1860. The influence of Turkish art can be observed in the design of the cupboards, niches and fire places 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 3 levels over 3 different periods are dated to the beginning of the 18^th century, bearing biblical scenes depicting the story of Christ and the Virgin Mary.

 A large part of the Frescoes of the Sumela Monastery are seriously damaged, having largely been moved from their original settings.

Today it is a tourist attraction, overlooking the forests and streams below making it extremely popular for its aesthetic attraction as well its cultural and religious significance and history. Works are currently underway to restore it to its former glory.