Mar Negro

Sümela Monastery, which is located on a steep and rocky area in Altındere Valley in the town of Maçka near the city of Trabzon, offers a combination of nature, history, and culture. It is believed that the monastery was 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 sea level, has been recently restored. Not far from Sümela Monastery, in the city of Trabzon, is Vazelon Monastery which is one of the oldest monasteries in Anatolia. Also called “Zouvalon,” the monastery is believed to have been built around AD 270 and is dedicated to John the Baptist.

Several Georgian churches established in the Middle Ages shed light on the history of northestern Türkiye. Doliskana Monastery, also known as Dolishane Church, is a Georgian medieval Orthodox monastery in Artvin. It now serves as a mosque. The exterior walls carry 10th-century Georgian inscriptions. Ishkani (İşhan) Monastery is located in the east of Yusufeli district, in the village of Dağyolu (İşhan). The church was constructed in 1008 and was converted into a mosque by the Ottomans in 1549. A relief illustrating a combat betwen a dragon and a lion on the windowsill is especially interesting. The original conical cruciform structure has been preserved. Tbeti Monastery (Cevizli) is located in northeast Şavşat province, in the village of Cevizli. It was constructed between 899 and 914 by one of the governors of Bagratlı, Aşut Kukh. The grave of Aşut Kukh is adjacent to the church. A Georgian structure, the structure’s external facade is adorned with columns and reliefs. A relief of Christ can be found on the north windows while the reliefs of ram heads attest to the fondness of the Bagrationi dynasty (Bagrations) for the Huns who considered the ram to be holy. The domeless 10th-century Georgian church in Barhal is remarkably complete and now used as a mosque. The towerless, grey stone structure, known as Parkhali to Georgians, was built in the 9th century and dedicated to John the Baptist.