Turkey opens world-renowned Sumela Monastery to visits after 5 years
All areas of the Sumela Monastery in the Maçka district of Trabzon have been opened to visit with the participation of Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy after 5 years of restoration work. On the occasion of said opening of the monastery, the Presidential Symphony Orchestra gave concerts with special Black Sea melodies.
After 5 years of restoration, the opening ceremony was held at Sümela Monastery, one of the important historical, tourist and faith tourism centers of Turkey. Culture and Tourism Minister Trabzon governor, metropolitan mayor and invited guests attended the ceremony.
“WE FOUND NEW CHAPELS”
Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, speaking at the ceremony, said that restoration work had begun in 2016 adding following:
“It was one of the projects we prioritised. We also accelerated the project. Apart from the restoration, the part that made the main work difficult was the rock flow from the mountain. It is not an environment where everyone can work, but studies have been conducted with experts in very difficult climatic conditions. A serious rock cleaning was carried out in an area of 20 thousand square meters. After a hard work, we have completed the project. Since it is a very important point in terms of Tourism for the Black Sea region, we went to the partial opening method. We found new chapels, Monk’s rooms, ordnance houses, guest houses, etc.
There are also very important frescoes on the walls and roofs. Coloring and revitalization works continue in these frescoes. Our frescoes revitalization team will be serving here all the time. Because unfortunately, due to the structure of this place, both water and condensation occur due to rocks during the seasonal transitions. This also damages the frescoes. Our experts will be working here for 12 months. I think we’ll permanently protect this place before it closes again.”
We have also created points where we can make digital presentations. There’s another secret Chapel, which will be activated in 1-2 weeks. Those who have visited this place before will visit again and again.
