As part of a familiarization trip to Türkiye’s Trabzon Province, representatives of Turkmen media visited the historic Sumela Monastery—one of the most important Christian shrines and a prominent monument of Byzantine architecture.
The Turkmen delegation included journalists from Business Turkmenistan, Turkmenportal, Orient, News Central Asia, Atavatan Türkmenistan, the magazine Medeniýet we Syýahat, and the Türkmenistan TV4 channel.
Founded in the 4th century, Sumela Monastery is perched on a sheer cliff in the scenic Altındere Valley, approximately 1,200 meters above sea level. Its unique setting and architecture—seemingly carved into the rock—make it one of the region’s most visited landmarks. The journalists toured the Virgin Mary Church, chapels, monks’ quarters, refectory, library, aqueduct, and admired frescoes that adorn the stone walls and ceilings.
During the visit, the participants of the trip learned about the monastery’s history, its spiritual and cultural significance during the Byzantine period, and current efforts to preserve and restore the site. Guides explained the religious importance of Sumela for Orthodox Christians, its centuries-long operation until the 20th century, and its transformation into a cultural and tourist center.
The group also visited the Women’s Monastery in the historic part of Trabzon, exploring its architectural features. The tour concluded with a stop at the Atatürk Pavilion—a historic mansion closely associated with the founder of the Republic of Türkiye, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.
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