LOOK: The ancient monastery hanging from the side of a cliff that seems to defy gravity

• Sümela Monastery reopened to the public in 2019 after four years of restoration.

• The monastery is one of the oldest Christian sites, dating back to the 4th century.

• It was founded by Greek Orthodox monks Barnabas and Sofronios, who found an icon in a cave.

Travelers follow a narrow, winding road to Sümela Monastery, set on a cliff 1,200 meters above sea level in Trabzon, Turkey.

This Greek Orthodox site, dedicated to the Virgin Mary and established in the late 4th century, has reopened its first section to the public in 2019 after a four-year restoration.

“It’s my second time in Turkey, and last time I missed out on this monastery,” said Ali Madi, a Canadian tourist. “Luckily, I happened to be here today on the opening day, so I’m pretty excited about it. It looks amazing.”

The monastery previously had chapels, a library, and a sacred spring. However, rock falls and earthquakes caused significant damage, according to TRT News.

Restoration crews have removed 4,000 tons of rock and debris to repair the site.

“For Greece, this is a big event because this church, this monastic monastery as we say, has a big value for the Greeks,” said Maria Zacharaki, a Greek journalist. “We came here in order to see it. I think they’ve done a very good job here. Very good work.”

The monastery recently fell into disrepair, but the government has stepped in to fund its restoration, aiming to preserve cultural and religious heritage.

The Sümela Monastery is currently on the UNESCO World Heritage Site’s Tentative List.

The monastery, one of the oldest Christian sites dating back to the 4th century, gets its name from “melas,” which means “dark” and may refer to the nearby Karadağ (Black Mountain).

Situated on a narrow path, the monastery was reportedly founded by Greek Orthodox monks Barnabas and Sofronios, who found an icon in a cave.

Manuel III, who was in power from 1390 to 1417, was keenly interested in religious buildings and donated a piece of the True Cross to Sümela Monastery.

Even though the relic is no longer there, its past presence highlights the monastery’s historical value.

The monastery’s highlight is its church, carved into a rock face and decorated with 18th and 19th-century frescoes.

Visitors can see three layers of these detailed paintings on closer examination.

In the 18th and 19th centuries, Sümela Monastery grew considerably after the Ottomans took over Trabzon.

The Ottomans protected the monastery and other religious sites, leading to a unique blend of Byzantine and Ottoman architectural styles, including pointed arches and fireplaces.

The monastery is famous for its healing waters, attracting Muslims and Christians for centuries.

Visitors often gather water from the small waterfall on the cliffside, believing it has restorative properties.

Moreover, the monastery provides impressive views of its area, home to various religious sites like monasteries, churches, and chapels.

In 1923, Sümela Monastery was abandoned after the monks departed. It reopened in 2010 for the Ascension of the Virgin Mary after extensive renovations.

Today, the monastery attracts many visitors and showcases Turkey’s rich cultural heritage.

The monastery may look like a fortress from the outside, but inside, it feels more like a village, inviting exploration.

Getting there requires a lot of walking, but the stunning mountain-side views make it worth the effort.

Visitors enter through a small door at the top of an ancient staircase, which still bears photos showing how it appeared in the past.

The monastery has several rooms where frescoes are still visible, offering a window into history.

While Sümela Monastery is believed to have been founded in the 4th century, most surviving structures date to the 13th century.

Take a tour inside the ancient monastery in the video below: