Trabzon Sümela Monastery, Cave, and Hamsiköy Daily Tour

Overview

8 hours

Mobile ticket

Take part in a guided outing as you head to one of the region's most famous destinations - Sümela Monastery. Explore the grounds of the holy destination before seeing other landmarks such as Zigana Mountain Summit, Torul Glass Terrace, and much more.

Enjoy a scenic 45-minute journey before arriving at Sümela Monastery parking lot. Get ready to explore a location filled with historical, religious, and natural beauty.

Hop aboard the shuttle and head up to the monastery itself. Reach the legendary structure after taking a 10-minute walk.

Continue on your journey as you head to your next destination, Zigana Mountain Summit. Be in awe of a location at an altitude of 2000-meters. Admire views of nature from a unique vantage point and even stop for a bite to eat for lunch.

Travel to Torul Glass Terrace which stands at an impressive 240-meters high. Reach the Karaca cave, one of the most beautiful and healthy caves full of magnificent stalactites and travertines.

Additional Info

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Public transportation options are available nearby

Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

The remaining 3 hours 45 minutes is for travel time.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What To Expect

Sumela Monastery

It is believed that the church was built between 365-395 AD. The rules of Cappadocia churches, which are frequently encountered in Anatolia, were made; in fact, there is a similar cave church in the Maşatlık area of Trabzon. Little can be said about the thousand-year period between the first foundation of the church and its conversion into a monastery. According to a legend told among the Black Sea Greeks, two monks named Barnabas and Sophronios of Athens had the same dream; in their dreams, they saw the place of Sumela where the icon was located, out of the three Panagia icons made by Saint Luke in the children of Jesus. Thereupon, unaware of the events, they came to Trabzon by sea, met there, told each other about their dreams and thought that the first church could be built. However, the fact that it is widely present in the frescoes in the monastery makes it thought that Emperor Alexios III of Trebizond, who is given special importance, is the real founder of the monastery.

1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Included

Zigana

Zigana Pass is a pass in the North Anatolian Mountains, within the borders of Gümüşhane province. Its altitude is 2032 meters. The pass is located at the transition point between the Eastern Black Sea geographical structure and the Central Anatolian plateaus. The Harşit Valley is located on the Central Anatolian side. On the Central Anatolian side of the pass, villages are less common than on the Black Sea side, collective settlements are seen and the density of forests decreases. The pass is located among dense forests.

1 hour 5 minutes • Admission Not Applicable

What‘s Included

air conditioned car

tour leader

lunch

sümela monastery entrance

torul glass terrace

karaca cave entrance

shuttle bus to sümela monastery

Pickup points

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