Newsletters
Sumela Monastery has reopened to visitors after the first phase of maintenance and safety work was completed, Türkiye's Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy announced. The historic monastery is located in the northeastern province of Trabzon.
The work was carried out to improve visitor safety and protect the cultural heritage site, a ministry statement said.
The project included rock surface cleaning, protective applications, and landscaping measures. These efforts were guided by scientific data, expert opinions, and decisions from the relevant conservation boards, which serve as the official bodies responsible for approving heritage-protection work.
Specialist mountaineering teams carried out extensive cleaning on difficult-to-access slopes in the inner and outer courtyards of the monastery. The ministry said rock surfaces were cleared in these areas to reduce possible risks for visitors.
In the inner courtyard, a second layer of fine protective wire was also installed in a section described as an inverted ceiling area, where small rockfalls could occur. The measure was introduced to ensure visitor safety while keeping protection work in line with the site's historical character.
The maintenance work also covered visitor routes and courtyard flooring. Broken and damaged slate stones on walking paths and in the courtyard were repaired during the first phase.
At the entrance to the monastery, the roof tiles of the ticket office building were renewed. The ministry said the work was aimed at preserving both structural safety and the visual integrity of the site.
Although the monastery has reopened, comprehensive restoration work will continue according to the planned schedule.
Ersoy said on his NSosyal account that the first phase had been completed with the aim of protecting visitors and preserving cultural heritage.
"Through rock surface cleaning, protective applications and landscaping carried out on the slopes in line with scientific data, expert opinions and the decisions of the relevant conservation boards, we have made this unique heritage site safer," he said.
He added that the ministry will ensure the long-term preservation of the Sumela Monastery by safeguarding both its historical integrity and natural surroundings. He emphasized that future management will continue to strike a careful balance between conservation efforts and public visitor access.
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
0 min read
1 min read
