Perched on a cliff overlooking the Altındere Valley in the Maçka district of northeastern Türkiye, the historic Sümela Monastery continues to attract strong interest from domestic and international visitors following years of restoration and conservation work.
Also known as the Monastery of the Virgin Mary, the landmark was closed to visitors in September 2015 due to the risk of falling rocks. A comprehensive restoration project launched by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in February 2016 included geological and geotechnical studies, landscaping, and reinforcement of the surrounding rock formations.
The monastery gradually reopened in phases as restoration progressed. The section up to the courtyard welcomed visitors again in May 2019, while 65% of the complex reopened in July 2020. The inner courtyard became accessible in July 2021.
The site was temporarily closed once more in November 2021 after authorities identified additional rockfall risks. During that period, dangerous rock formations were stabilized with steel cables and protective rockfall barriers were installed before the monastery reopened in May 2022.
Listed on UNESCO's Tentative World Heritage List since 2000, Sümela has become one of the Black Sea region's best-known cultural and tourism destinations.
