Another pearl of Turkey: how to get to the ancient monastery on a cliff

If ancient walls could talk, the Sumela Monastery in eastern Turkey could tell many incredible stories. The unique temple on a cliff was founded by the first Christians and throughout history has witnessed the Byzantine era, the rise of the Ottoman Empire, the struggle for Turkish independence, and dozens of wars.

The monastery, which is more of a state museum than an active religious building, has undergone years of careful restoration. CNN told more about the monastery on the cliff.

With chapels, courtyards, a library, living quarters, a bell tower, an aqueduct, and a stone-fenced sacred spring perched precariously on a cliff, Sumel Monastery is a true gem in Turkey.

Falling stones are a significant hazard in this region. Levent Alniak, manager of museums and historical sites in Trabzon province, said that a number of measures have been taken to prevent damage to structures and for the safety of visitors. In particular, steel mesh and barriers were installed and measures were taken to protect the walls and ceiling.

During the restoration, unexpected treasures were discovered, such as a secret tunnel and frescoes depicting heaven and hell, life and death.

The restoration of the monastery's frescoes is a multi-year project that involves the careful, time-consuming work of expert restorers.

Behind its façade, the church disappears into a large cave filled with vivid images created in the 13th century.

According to legend, Sumela dates back to 386. Greek monks had a vision - the Virgin Mary told them about an icon painted by the Apostle Luke. Eventually, the monks discovered the sacred relic, and the Rock Church was built in this place.

The cave remained a place of pilgrimage for hundreds of years. After the conquest of Byzantium by the Ottoman Empire, interest in Sumela did not fade. Historians say that the Ottomans granted their subjects a surprising degree of religious freedom, provided they were loyal to the sultan.

Sometimes they turned a church into a mosque, as happened in Hagia Sophia in Istanbul. Muslims also considered Sumela a sacred place and helped the monastery by giving the monks donations and more land.

Sumela was popular with Christian and Muslim pilgrims and was an active Greek Orthodox monastery until the early twentieth century. After the collapse of the Ottoman Empire following World War I, the abandoned monastery became a magnet for treasure hunters. Valuable relics were taken out of Turkey and are now in museums or private collections around the world.

In the 1970s, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Turkey made the first attempts to preserve and restore Sumela as a national treasure.

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