The monastery from Sumelas is situated at some 300 meters on a steep cliff in the Altindere valley near Trabzon. Two Greek monks founded it in the 4^th century.  Over the years it gained more and more importance, and reached its peak in the 18^th century. During WW1, t was occupied by the Russian army, and abandoned in 1923. The inner and outer walls of the rock church are decorated with frescoes, but most of them are seriously damaged.

This afternoon, on an invite from Mehli, professor at the Akçaabat lyceum, I turned geography professor for a change. During 2 hours I spoke about my expeditions in the Polar Regions. It was just geat to get such an attentive auditorium. Later, some of the students took me for a guided tour of Trabzon, where we visited the Atatürk pavillon and the Hayasofia museum.

Sumelas