Disrespect to history: Names carved into the walls of Sumela Monastery

12punto.com.tr / Exclusive

All areas of the world-famous Sumela Monastery, one of Turkey's significant religious tourism routes, were opened to visitors in 2022.

An ugly act of vandalism has been committed at the Sumela Monastery, which is located on a steep valley slope within the borders of Altındere village in Trabzon.

Some visitors carved their names into the interior walls of the Sumela Monastery.

This sight has sparked outrage on social media.

WHERE IS SUMELA MONASTERY?

Located within the borders of Altındere Village in the Maçka district of Trabzon, the Sumela Monastery was built on a steep cliff on the slopes of Karadağ, overlooking the Altındere valley, and is known among the public as "Virgin Mary."

Situated approximately 300 meters above the valley, the structure continues the tradition of monasteries being built outside cities, in forests, and near caves and water sources.

It is said that the monastery, founded in the name of the Virgin Mary, takes its name "Sumela" from the word "melas," which means "black." While it is thought that this name comes from the dark-colored Karadağ mountains where the monastery was built, the word Sumela can also be linked to the black color of the depiction of the Virgin Mary found there.

News Source: 12punto