Sumela Monastery
87 reviews
December 6, 2024
It's an amazing place. The temple is located right on the mountainside. Very beautiful panoramas. There are several viewing platforms. Clean air. It's probably cool in summer. We were comfortable in light jackets in December. The route is easy. There are many steps. There is a parking lot. There are toilets. You can also take an Audi guide. I highly recommend it. A place of spiritual power.
See original · Русский
1
February 27
We traveled by car from Russia to Turkey, on the way back we stopped for the night in Trabzon, decided to look on the Internet what you can see in the surrounding area and it was just the cherry on the cake after a long journey and many historical sites of Istanbul. After seeing the monastery of Smela and experiencing life in that place, it becomes even uneasy how strong the people of those times were!
Now for more details:
The Sumela Monastery is a real gem hidden in the mountains of northern Turkey on the Black Sea coast. Located on the steep slope of Mount Mela in Trabzon province, this ancient Orthodox monastery impresses with its incredible location and rich history.
The first thing that takes your breath away is the location itself. The monastery is literally carved into the rock at an altitude of about 1,200 meters above sea level, with stunning views of the Altyndere Valley. The road to the monastery is an adventure in itself, requiring a small climb, but the effort is fully justified if you walk. For everyone else, buses are not expensive at all, 20 liras or 0.5 $, if there is not much time on the bus.
Further:
Founded in the 4th century, the Siumela Monastery preserves many historical layers, from Byzantine frescoes to elements of Ottoman architecture. The preserved wall paintings inside the rock church are particularly impressive, some of which date back to the 13th century.
After extensive restoration, the monastery became even more accessible to visitors. Nevertheless, I recommend arriving early in the morning to avoid the crowds of tourists and enjoy the special atmosphere of this place in silence.
Be sure to bring comfortable shoes and a camera - the views here are simply incredible at any time of the year, although the monastery looks especially beautiful against the background of greenery in summer or among autumn colors if you go down to the temple (located just below, in front of the shops to the left) from there, there is a great panorama of the monastery in the rock.
Visiting the Siumela Monastery is not just an excursion, but a real immersion in the history, culture and natural beauty of the region. Definitely worth including in your travel itinerary in Turkey.
The cost of visiting the monastery was $35, which is 10 times cheaper for Turkish citizens. There's plenty to drink and snack on top.
See original · Русский
1
November 8, 2024
An interesting place in the mountains (1200m). Recently renovated, entrance is paid. There is also a paid lift by minibus from the parking lot. There is a cafe with good coffee and souvenirs. Beautiful ancient mosaic on the walls. Wonderful view of the mountains. You can get from Trabzon in 50 minutes and $100 round trip with a 2h wait.
See original · Русский
February 6
Oh! That's something! We were lucky - it was cold and snowy at night, and sunny and warm during the day. All the charm of the mountain weather and the ringing air! The charm of a snowy forest and a spring drop! Climbing the icy steps and gorgeous photos against the background of the riot of stone vertical walls of the monastery! This place is absolutely stunning in its beauty!
See original · Русский
January 4
From the port, we agreed with a taxi driver for $ 70 round trip and 2 hours of waiting. 60 lira bus through the park. The entrance to the complex itself is 20 euros for foreigners. But it's not a pity to see the ancient Christian frescoes and the settlement carved into the rock.
See original · Русский
1
January 24
A great place for lovers of antiquities, history and just beautiful nature. I definitely recommend you to visit.
See original · Русский
November 24, 2024
An interesting place of ancient Christianity.
The price of a visit by car with parking and a ticket is 50 euros for two.
To broaden your horizons, visit. The Turks are doing well, they are reconstructing everything, improving it, taking money for everything.
See original · Русский
April 15
A unique place. Well renovated. Unusual architecture and beautiful nature.
See original · Русский
May 15
Thanks to the fascinating nature of the Black Sea, your trip will be very enjoyable.At the entrance, there is an entrance to the paid parking lot (2 hours 160 TL), then you go up by minibus(paid). After the minibus, the monastery is reached by a pleasant walk of 10-15 minutes.You can enter the Monastery for free with a museum card.
This historical structure carved into steep cliffs is really impressive both with its location and nature.
See original · Türkçe
May 10
A great place, somewhat reminiscent of Ai - Petri in the Crimea. Be sure to wear sneakers to visit, as the path to and inside the monastery is rocky and has many, many steps, and I do not recommend it to people with joint problems. There is a fork to the right before the monastery - be sure to turn around, there you can get a beautiful panoramic view of the monastery. The far part of the building is closed to tourists due to a rock collapse.
See original · Русский
May 18
One of the few Turkish antiquities, the price of visiting which is adequate to the content. But it's a long way to go
See original · Русский
January 8
The monastery was built in the 4th century AD on a cliff at an altitude of 1300 meters above sea level. The frescoes have been preserved. It's definitely worth a look.
See original · Русский
August 20, 2024
I urge you to think hard before visiting this place. There are an excessive number of disadvantages in my opinion.
For four adults, the visit cost almost 10,000 rubles. We arrived on our own in our own car. The scheme is the same for everyone: arrival at the square with parking, then transfer to the "minibus" to the monastery and a walking march to the goal. The price consists of three payments: 900 liras entrance ticket for one, parking 50 liras per hour and a ticket for a minibus to the monastery 52 liras each (round trip). The toilet is 2 lira. August 2024
I do not recommend saving on a minibus. The ascent is very steep, and the distance is decent (about 2 km.). We saw the enthusiasts who went on foot, they looked unhappy.
After disembarking from the bus, you need to walk up the path with stairs. About 400-500 meters. The young and healthy will have eyes at half past five after climbing to the goal, those who are older by half past seven. At the stages of the ascent, there are benches for recreation.
The "monastery" itself is very modest in size. It takes no more than 10-15 minutes to inspect it with a visit to all the farthest corners.
Here the most important disappointment and perplexity will befall you. These are some kind of semi-ruins mixed with an open-air remodel and rivers of people who scurry back and forth taking selfies. There is practically nothing to look at there.
Judging by the pictures, the weather here is rarely good, so we got into rain and heavy fog. Take umbrellas and raincoats.
The use of copters is prohibited (warnings are hanging).
The total visit time is 2 hours.
See original · Русский
10
5
January 23
A 100% recommendation to visit, you need to see it 1 time than hear it a hundred times. Turkey is the cradle of Christianity, and in this country you can study history "under every stone."
See original · Русский
January 25
Impressed by this monastery!!! A unique place. Ancient frescoes. Located in the mountains.
See original · Русский
May 21, 2024
A curious place, of course. But Admission is 30 euros per person, children are free. Parking (50 lire per hour). You buy a minibus ticket (40 lire people) and they take you all the way to the monastery. You can walk uphill, but it will be hard and long, so you will have to pay for a minibus.
I didn't like these extortions, I wouldn't go there a second time. The views around are beautiful, judging by the photos. When we were there, it was foggy. And apart from walking around the monastery for a bit, we couldn't do anything else.
See original · Русский
6
April 13
The road to the monastery is more worth seeing than through the monastery, most places of the monastery are already closed to visitors, and due to excessive density, you can't travel very comfortably, but the visual feast on the road route is a generous offering of all the beauty of nature to mankind
See original · Türkçe
February 24
When you come to such places, you can't help but believe in God, how much strength he gave people to save their faith and build a monastery in such a remote place.
See original · Русский
December 26, 2024
A must-visit. Monastery in the rock with great views and ancient history.
See original · Русский
May 1
A monastery is something to visit and experience! I highly recommend you to visit! You won't regret it!
See original · Русский
December 15, 2024
It's quite interesting that I gave this historical place 3 stars because of the way it operates. There is a procedural news that does not specify who is below,a group is directing you to the car park. You are being forced to fill up. You also pay a parking fee on the way back.
See original · Türkçe
1
1
June 26, 2024
It's a very beautiful place. We were out of season, few people, it's very cool. If you buy an official entrance ticket, then you can get an audio guide in Russian, you only need to install the application. Parking and delivery from the parking lot are charged separately.
See original · Русский
4
1
June 5, 2024
Mentally. Time travel, falling into the past for centuries. The richest frescoes, albeit partially lost, but restored by restorers. Fascinated, she found, recognized and examined all the Gospel stories. Tourists from all continents. We did not spare the money that we gave for parking, for a minibus, for tickets, realizing how much it costs to restore, maintain, provide an accessible highway and an equipped hiking trail. It is definitely necessary to come in good weather - not to see the surrounding landscapes in fog or rain, it's like losing half the value of the trip. We are lucky! And not only from the height of the monastery, the whole road along the Machki river, as soon as you turn off the highway between Trabzon and Torul, is incredibly picturesque. It partly resembles the road along the Belaya River in Adygea, only here waterfalls and mountain streams are clearly visible. You can't resist stopping to listen to the murmur or noisy murmur of a stormy, clean mountain river.
See original · Русский
November 2, 2024
It's expensive, you pay 160 lira to be taken upstairs by bus, you also pay 20 euros for a ticket, they did everything cool, but it seems expensive
See original · Русский
May 31
It's a wonderful place in the world, just don't take too much with you when you go, you're walking a lot, you're climbing a lot of stairs. But it's worth it when you get out, the monastery built into the beautiful mountain from there is also great.
See original · Türkçe
December 15, 2024
You cannot enter the territory. It is very far to walk, minibuses run, but you cannot pay with a card (
See original · Русский
1
April 27
It's a great place. The murals on the walls are fire. But it's not easy to get there.
See original · Русский
July 6, 2023
I was in this beautiful place, when you are there you feel a huge energy. The nature is fantastic, the temple itself did not require human efforts at the time of construction! God be praised that such a place has been preserved! Many thanks to the Turkish authorities for coming to their senses and preserving the pro-Orthodox shrine. This is one of the most ancient temples of the pro-Orthodox church! I advise everyone to visit it at least once in their lives, I wish everyone well and prosperity!!!
See original · Русский
5
August 21, 2024
For history lovers, it is a must-visit. The bonus is the beautiful nature, but take into account the steep hike.
See original · Русский
2
March 25
It's very imposing, beautiful, but on foggy days you can't see anything, there's not much in the museum, you go to see it, the peddlers at the entrance are constantly talking, it's not nice
See original · Türkçe
February 12
In a word, it is a very beautiful place. The walking path may sound long, but there is a very beautiful hiking trail in nature, and there is a monastery at the end that is worth seeing
See original · Türkçe
1
September 21, 2024
If you have an extra 20 euros per person and free time…
We visited in July 2024, reconstruction is underway, at the moment everything is very sad
See original · Русский
4
October 2, 2024
The price is 20 euros per person, + parking + bus.
There's nothing to do there for that money. Another monastery, fortress, ruins, etc. on the rock
See original · Русский
2
June 8, 2024
The view is stunning. Very interesting inside.
When you log in, ask the employee for an audio guide account, he will open the website for you and set it up using a qr code.
See original · Русский
June 16, 2024
It's a very interesting place. Historically and visually. The only thing is that there are a lot of people all the time. Unfortunately, the condition of the "old parts" is not particularly good, vandalism is present. Therefore, if you want to touch the old days, it's better to go while there is something to see.
See original · Русский
5
March 16, 2023
03/16/2013 the monastery was opened. We drove under our own power to the barrier, there are 125 liras per person (everyone who is in the car, if there is no Turkish citizenship or citizenship. It's free for them). A child of 6 years old is free of charge (documents were not checked). We reached the parking lot. There's 20 lire per person on dolmushi. It takes about 5 minutes to drive. At the entrance, a Turkish citizen passed for 60 liras and was given a map of the museum. It seems that she gives some privileges. And we are already free. There are many stairs. Those who love history and ancient buildings are interested for them. I liked. But for a one-time visit. Almost all rooms are open. You can touch everything)))) but there's nothing much to touch.
See original · Русский
4
August 16, 2024
The place is a must-visit, if you are in northern Turkey, the staff does not speak Russian, prepare a minimum English for the Transfer of the checkpoint to the mountain. The transfer in August cost 53 lira, entrance to the monastery 730) have a nice trip.
See original · Русский
3
February 25
The pearl of my hometown is one of the places to see before you die
See original · Türkçe
August 17, 2022
It is definitely worth it to get here from Trabzon, or to turn around driving along the coast. An ancient Orthodox Monastery, which Islam has respectfully preserved and soundly restored. There is much to learn from the Turks. There is a national park around, the visit is paid, everything is well organized and convenient. It would be difficult to get there on foot, but mini vans (minibuses) go up from the parking lot of private transport. I was surprised by the abundance of Turkish tourists and pilgrims. It's a beautiful place.
See original · Русский
8
September 30, 2024
The road to the monastery is very picturesque, and the monastery itself is worth a look.
See original · Русский
1
May 9
It is a huge historical place that everyone should see.
See original · Türkçe
February 25
The super place is definitely a place to go
See original · Türkçe
August 29, 2023
It's a very beautiful place. There are many ancient frescoes. I recommend visiting from the very opening, after an hour there are already too many people.
See original · Русский
3
December 16, 2024
I recommend it to everyone. He has no wife and the like. A separate value.
See original · Türkçe
1
June 26, 2023
a great place, we got there by taxi, entrance tickets can be paid using the Union Pay GPB card. There are small buses from the parking lot, then steps
Very beautiful,
See original · Русский
3
June 29, 2023
An amazing place, especially the view in the mountains, amazes how a temple was built on the mountains. A lot of interesting things open up before your eyes.
See original · Русский
3
December 5, 2024
Absolutely must see , fascinating
See original · Türkçe
1
August 31, 2022
Only Turks.I didn't like the division of tickets.At the entrance, you buy tickets for everyone at the entrance.You pay for parking separately.You're paying for the bus again.And if there was no translator at hand, then they would have paid at the entrance to the temple itself.Couldn't you have made an all-inclusive ticket?You're Turks and that's your thing.The monastery itself is worth a look.But once.It's better to come here in the morning.Maybe there will be fewer people.And to go down on foot, it's not that far.But you will walk through a beautiful park where there are a lot of waterfalls.It seems that there is always frost here.It's better to take something warmer.
See original · Русский
3
5
March 12
It has a charming atmosphere with its historical beauties.I recommend you to go and see.
See original · Türkçe
May 20, 2024
It's a great place, you need to visit it at least once! It's a pity I got caught in the rain...
See original · Русский
2
1