MONASTERIES OF THE BLACK SEA

Monasteries of The Black Sea

Maçka, Trabzon

Sümela Monastery, which is located on a steep and rocky area inAltındere Valley in the town of Maçka near the city of Trabzon, offers acombination of nature, history, and culture. It is believed that the monasterywas constructed in the 4th century, although Alexios III Megas Komnenos(1349-1390) was the actual founder. The monastery is also known to locals as“Meryem Ana” (Virgin Mary). The majestic complex, built 1,200 meters above sealevel, has been recently restored. Not far from Sümela Monastery, in the cityof Trabzon, is Vazelon Monastery which is one of the oldestmonasteries in Anatolia. Also called “Zouvalon,” the monastery is believed tohave been built around AD 270 and is dedicated to John the Baptist.