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34 cultural outlook

Sumela Monastery

Dedicated to the Virgin Mary, Sumela Monastery is thought to After Eastern Black Sea shores were dominated by the Turks,
have received its name “Sumela” from the word “mela”, which Ottoman Sultans protected the rights of Sumela Monastery, just
means “black” in Greek. Although the name is believed to have as other monasteries; bestowing them some privileges.
derived from the range of mountains called Karadağlar (Black
Mountains); the name Sumela can also be connected to the black During the 18th century, many sections of the Sumela Monas-
color of the Virgin Mary icon in the monastery. Rumor has it that tery were restored and some walls were embroidered by frescoes.
two Athenian monks named Barnabas and Sophronios founded In 19th century, the monastery gained a magnificent view after
monastery during the reign of the Byzantine Emperor Theodo- the addition of large buildings, and experienced its richest and
sius I (375 - 395). During the 6th century, it was restored and brightest era. During this period, the monastery took its present
enlarged by General Belisarius at the behest of Emperor Justin- and final form; and became a historical place visited by many
ian. foreign travelers and a subject for their writings. During the oc-
cupation of Trabzon by the Russian in between 1926 and 1918,
It reached its present form in the 13th century, and gained im- the monastery was seized by the Russians, and it was completely
portance during the reign of Alexios III. (1349-1390) of the evacuated after 1923.
Princedom of Trabzon Comnenus, which was founded in 1204.
The monastery received income through decrees of largess during The principal elements of the Monastery complex are the Rock
this period. During the reign of Manuel III., son of Alexios III., Church, several chapels, kitchens, student rooms, a guesthouse, a
and following princes, Sumela was enriched with more new de- library, and a sacred spring revered by Eastern Orthodox Chris-
crees. tians. This group of buildings is constructed on a vast area. The
large aqueduct at the entrance, which supplied water to the Mon-