Sumela monastery, Turkey
From series “The Most Remote Monasteries and Temples in the World”
Turkey or more exactly Atindere valley can boast one of the oldest temples in the world, Sumela Monastery. Unique in all respects, this monastery was carved in the slope of the Black Mountain at an altitude of 1200 meters above sea level. According to the legend, monks from Athens called Barnabas and Sophronius were founders of this Christian monastery. They have found an icon of the Virgin Mary in one of the local caves and in 386AD the monastery was founded on that site. The hard-to-get monastery looks fascinating; it seems that it was literally built in the rock.
Once, the monastery was a four-storey complex with 72 cells. In the early 20th century, it was severely damaged by fire. Restoring is going there now. The temple is about 15 kilometers away from the nearest Macka village. The road runs wild in dense forests. At the foot of the mountain originates a narrow and steep trail, which has been laid to the holy places by thousands of pilgrims hundreds of years ago.
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Taung Kalat, Myanmar
Hanging Heng mountain temple, China
Back to the start “The Most Remote Monasteries and Temples in the World”Sumela monastery - interactive map
Useful staff nearby
ATM bankomat: 'Vakıfbank-tanjant Şubesi' located in 34 km (
check the route on the map).
check the route on the map).
Car rental office: 'Nehir Oto Kiralama' is located in 35 km (
on the map).
on the map).
Fuel station: 'Petrol Ofisi' in 14 km
Supermarket: 'Ardasa Pestil Köme' in 0.76 km
Parking: 'Otopark' in 29 km
Apotheek: 'Ebru Eczanesi' in 29 km
Police station: 'Maçka Polis Merkezi Amirliği' in 14 km
Nearest airports:
» Trabzon Airport TZX - in 36 km
» Erzurum Airport ERZ - in 151 km
» Batumi Airport BUS - in 192 km
» Sivas Airport VAS - in 252 km
» Erhac Airport MLX - in 283 km
» Trabzon Airport TZX - in 36 km
» Erzurum Airport ERZ - in 151 km
» Batumi Airport BUS - in 192 km
» Sivas Airport VAS - in 252 km
» Erhac Airport MLX - in 283 km
Cities nearby
Best hotels near Sumela monastery
Kayalar Pansiyon
Located in 4 km from Sumela monastery
Route on the map:
Rooms: 24
Route on the map:
Rooms: 24
The rooms at Pansiyon Kayalar come with wooden interiors. They all feature a private bathroom with a bath tub. Some spacious rooms offer a fireplace. … More: photo, rates and booking
Cosandere Hotel
Located in 9 km from Sumela monastery
Route on the map:
Rooms: 41
Route on the map:
Rooms: 41
The eco-friendly Hotel Cosandere provides soundproofed accommodation with mountain and river views and free Wi-Fi. Units feature a TV, telephone, … More: photo, rates and booking
Camlik Apart Hotel
Located in 11 km from Sumela monastery
Route on the map:
Rooms: 3
Route on the map:
Rooms: 3
The apartments at Apart Hotel Camlik come with a seating and a dining area. The fully-equipped kitchenette offers a stove, fridge, an oven and … More: photo, rates and booking
Ipekyolu Park Hotel
Located in 14 km from Sumela monastery
Route on the map:
Rooms: 64
Route on the map:
Rooms: 64
All the rooms at Ipekyolu have air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels and a minibar. There is a balcony, safety deposit box and a … More: photo, rates and booking
Nearest unique sightseeing spots to visit
193 km - Deriner Dam
In Turkey on the Soruh river, one of the largest dams in the world was built, the height of Deriner dam is 249 meters. The developer of the dam project was the engineer Ibrahim Deriner. Unfortunately, he did not experience the completion of his own project. It has been …
From the series 'The Greatest Dams in the World'
In Turkey on the Soruh river, one of the largest dams in the world was built, the height of Deriner dam is 249 meters. The developer of the dam project was the engineer Ibrahim Deriner. Unfortunately, he did not experience the completion of his own project. It has been …
282 km - Miussera Temple
Abkhazia is also rich in unique Christian sites. One of the most amazing ancient temples that is worth looking is in the Miussera reserve. The national reserve is very picturesque; it is located near the popular beach resort of Golden Bay. Amidst of its extensive …
From the series ' Survived Artifacts of Early Christian Civilization'
Abkhazia is also rich in unique Christian sites. One of the most amazing ancient temples that is worth looking is in the Miussera reserve. The national reserve is very picturesque; it is located near the popular beach resort of Golden Bay. Amidst of its extensive …
286 km - Bedia Cathedral
In Abkhazia, pilgrims and tourists have an opportunity to visit another important religious object, the Bedia Cathedral. It is located in the village of Agubedia. The landmark was built in the late 10th century. This cathedral was consecrated in honor of Our Lady of …
From the series ' Survived Artifacts of Early Christian Civilization'
In Abkhazia, pilgrims and tourists have an opportunity to visit another important religious object, the Bedia Cathedral. It is located in the village of Agubedia. The landmark was built in the late 10th century. This cathedral was consecrated in honor of Our Lady of …
301 km - Tsandripshsky Temple
Another amazing religious object is the Tsandripshsky temple that was built in the 6th century. It is located in the picturesque village of Gantiadi. According to historical records, in ancient times it housed a fortress and a settlement. In the Middle Ages, a …
From the series ' Survived Artifacts of Early Christian Civilization'
Another amazing religious object is the Tsandripshsky temple that was built in the 6th century. It is located in the picturesque village of Gantiadi. According to historical records, in ancient times it housed a fortress and a settlement. In the Middle Ages, a …
303 km - Inguri Dam
In Georgia there is a dam that is worth seeing for tourists and travelers. Inguri Dam was built on the river of the same name and has a height of 272 meters, making it one of the highest settlements in the world. The construction work on the Inguri river began more …
From the series 'The Greatest Dams in the World'
In Georgia there is a dam that is worth seeing for tourists and travelers. Inguri Dam was built on the river of the same name and has a height of 272 meters, making it one of the highest settlements in the world. The construction work on the Inguri river began more …
310 km - Mzimta River
Mzimta river, which is located in the Krasnodar region, not far from Sochi, is one of the permanent places for rafting competitions in Russia. The uniqueness of this river is that it is ideal for beginners as well as for experienced athletes. The name of the river is …
From the series 'The Most Dangerous River Rapids for Rafting'
Mzimta river, which is located in the Krasnodar region, not far from Sochi, is one of the permanent places for rafting competitions in Russia. The uniqueness of this river is that it is ideal for beginners as well as for experienced athletes. The name of the river is …
Top destination around Sumela monastery - Trabzon
The oldest building is of this place is Castle of Trabzon. The castle is in great state, so even nowadays visitors have an opportunity to walk in long corridors of the castle and feel the power of this grandiose medieval building. Arsenal Tower is, without a doubt, another remarkable monument of antiquity. Several centuries ago this was a beloved place for recreation and meetings of aristocrats. Here have been organized large parties and celebrations.
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