Two million people visit Sumela Monastery in Northeastern Turkey. After years of restoration and conservation efforts, the historic Sumela Monastery, which is perched on a cliff overlooking the Altındere Valley in the Maçka area of northeastern Turkey, continues to draw a lot of interest from both local and foreign tourists.
The site, also called the Monastery of the Virgin Mary, was closed to tourists in September 2015 because of the possibility of rocks falling. In February 2016, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism initiated a major restoration project that included landscaping, strengthening of the surrounding rock formations, and geological and geotechnical research.
As rehabilitation worked, the monastery progressively reopened in stages. In May 2019, the area up to the courtyard reopened to guests, and in July 2020, 65% of the complex reopened. In July 2021, entrance to the inner courtyard was made possible.
In November 2021, authorities discovered further rockfall hazards, leading to another temporary closure of the site. Before the monastery reopened in May 2022, hazardous rock formations were stabilized with steel cables and rockfall barriers were put in place.
Since its inclusion on UNESCO’s Tentative World Heritage List in 2000, Sümela has grown to become one of the most popular tourist and cultural attractions in the Black Sea region.
The number of visitors increased from 154,000 in 2021 to a record 515,000 in 2025. Between January and May 2026, the monastery had an additional 128,000 visitors, bringing the total to almost two million.
In accordance with scientific evaluations and judgments made by conservation boards, the most recent conservation work was completed between June 8 and June 16, 2026. The monastery’s medieval aqueducts had their eroded stone surfaces restored, pedestrian routes and roof coverings fixed and rock surfaces cleaned by expert climbing crews.
The centuries-old monastery once again welcomed guests after the repair work was finished.
The monastery is one of the best architectural icons in the world, according to tour operator Nermin Yıldırım, who plans tours from Antalya and brings about 600 guests to Sümela each year.
“It’s architecture is beautiful. We can say it is among the best in the world. We receive many visitors from Japan and China, and we hope even more people come to discover the Black Sea region and Türkiye. I already loved the Black Sea region, but after coming here I admire it even more. The architecture is stunning, and the climb is worth it.”
Despite the strenuous walk, another visitor, Hadiye Karakuş from Izmir in western Turkey, said the monastery surpassed her expectations.
“I’ve travelled across much of Türkiye, but this place has a completely different atmosphere. The cool climate, nature and the monastery itself are wonderful,” she said.
After viewing the monastery in movies, Nuray Bayrak, who traveled from Kütahya in western Turkey, said it was even more magnificent in person and suggested it to anyone traveling through the area.
Source: Daily Sabah
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