Sumela Monastery, on The Cliffs of Trabzon, Turkey

Located in the Pontic Mountains of Turkey, Sumela is a 1600-year-old Greek Orthodox monastery, positioned on a steep cliff face, at an elevation of about 1,200 metres (3,900 ft).

The difficult-to-reach, elevated position of the monastery provided a strategic defensive position and an environment of isolation for spiritual contemplation.

Sumela Monastery, on the cliffs of Trabzon, Turkey

The exact founding date of the monastery is not known. But legend attributes the establishment of the monastery to 386 A.D. and two Athenian monks, Barnabas and Sophronius, during the reign of Emperor Theodosius I.

Over the centuries, several restorations and expansions of the monastery occurred, including significant work during the Byzantine era under Emperor Justinian.

The interior of Sumela Monastery features intricate frescoes, portraying scenes from the Bible, the life of Jesus, and the Virgin Mary, from the Byzantine period.

Sumela Monastery, on the cliffs of Trabzon, Turkey

After the conquest by the Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II in 1461, the monastery was granted the sultan's protection and given rights and privileges that were renewed by following sultans.

After 1923, and the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, the Sumela Monastery was abandoned following the population exchange between Greece and Turkey as set down in the Treaty of Lausanne.

The once-thriving religious monastery fell into disuse until restoration began in recent times. However, only 450 to 500 visitors are allowed inside the monastery.

During restoration (2015–2017), a secret tunnel was discovered which lead to what is believed to have been a temple or chapel for Christians.

Sumela Monastery, on the cliffs of Trabzon, Turkey

Located at Karadağ within the Pontic Mountains, in the Maçka district of Trabzon Province in modern Turkey.