Sümela Monastery

A spectacular monastery hewn into a cliff. It was founded in the fourth century, with its heyday in Byzantine and early Ottoman times. It's been ruined and rebuilt several times, but fell derelict after its Greeks were deported. Many frescoes and mosaics have been vandalised, but more have been found in hidden chambers. Try to dodge the tour groups: from the parking lot you take a minibus shuttle up to the site, paying for both.

• history

Address

Altındere Valley National Park, Maçka

Hours

Daily 08:00-20:00

Price

Foreigners €20 or MüzeKart

Website

muze.gov.tr (opens in a new tab)