Sümela Monastery, built on the steep cliffs of Maçka overlooking the Altındere Valley, takes its visitors on a journey through time with its mysterious atmosphere and fascinating view. This unique structure, popularly known as the "Virgin Mary", is located about 300 meters above the valley, keeping alive the tradition of monasteries being intertwined with nature and away from the city.
Sümela, which is thought to have taken its name from the word melas, which means "black", according to some rumors, took this name from the depiction of the black-colored Virgin Mary here. It is said that the monastery, which dates back to the 4th century, was founded by the Athenian monks Barnabas and Sophranios and was repaired and expanded by General Belisarios on the order of Emperor Justinian in the 6th century. Sümela leaves an indelible mark in the memory of every visitor with its architecture, frescoes and fascinating location.
Karaca Cave - Gümüşhane / Torul
A unique work of art patiently crafted by nature for millions of years... Karaca Cave opens the doors of a fairytale world the moment you step inside. The perfect harmony of columns, stalactites, stalagmites, stalagmites and travertine pools arouse a different admiration in every corner of the cave. Located within the borders of Cebeli Village in Torul district of Gümüşhane, this natural wonder is 1550 meters above sea level and only 17 km from the city center. Karaca Cave, with its extraordinary formations and fresh air, is one of the must-see stops for nature lovers.
Hamsiköy - Maçka / Trabzon
On the northern slopes of Zigana Mountain, Hamsiköy, one of the important stops of the historical Silk Road, welcomes its guests with its lush nature and cool air. Named after the Arabic word "Hamse" (five villages), the region has a deep-rooted culture formed by the merger of more than one settlement. With its historical routes, mountain views and traditional life, Hamsiköy makes you feel the Black Sea spirit in its purest form.
09.30: We depart from Trabzon. Before starting our tour, we recommend that you download the mobile application called "Turkey's Museums" and get a MuseumKart for easy access to the Sümela Monastery.
Our first stop is Altındere National Park located in Maçka district. This is a magnificent natural wonder adorned with lush forests, steep cliffs and waterfalls.
After a short break at the park entrance, we set off by minibus(70 TL per person round trip) to reach the monastery. After about 10 minutes of trail walking, we arrive at Sümela Monastery, also known as "The Monastery Beyond the Clouds". Sümela is a Greek Orthodox monastery complex built in the 4th century and carved into the steep cliffs at an altitude of 1200 meters. Here you can see the frescoes and monks' chambers and at the same time enjoy the unique view while visiting the Sümela monastery
After our visit to Sumela, we turn our route to Zigana Mountain. This mountain, which forms a natural gateway between the Black Sea and Eastern Anatolia, is famous for its impressive forest texture and scenery. Here, we have our local lunch in touch with nature, accompanied by wonderful views.
After lunch, we reach Hamsiköy to taste Hamsiköy Sütlac, one of the most special flavors of Black Sea cuisine. This small highland village fascinates its visitors not only with its rice pudding but also with its impressive view of the valley.
In the continuation of our tour, we pass through the 14.5 km long Zigana Tunnel, one of the longest tunnels in Europe, and reach Gümüşhane. Here, we watch the magnificent view from a height of 240 meters at the Glass Terrace in Torul district. Admission fee 100TL
Our next stop is the Karaca Cave in the Torul district of Gümüşhane. The cave is one of the most impressive natural formations of our country with its stalactites, stalagmites, columns and travertine pools. Access fee 100TL
On the way back, we stop by the pestil and köme sales store, which are the local flavors of Gümüşhane. After a short break here for souvenir shopping, we return to Trabzon.
We arrive in Trabzon around 18.00.
