Sumela Monastery, located on the slopes of the Karadag Mountains in the Altindere Valley of the Macka district in Trabzon province, is a rock-carved Greek Orthodox monastery complex situated 1150 meters above sea level. Sumela was not built as a single monastery at once but evolved into a large monastery complex with additional sections added over time as needed. The sanctuary, also known as the Monastery of the Virgin Mary, follows the tradition of being established outside the city, in forests, caves, and by water sources. Apart from its entrance gate, the monastery is nestled among evergreen pine trees, creating a mysterious and captivating grandeur.

It is suggested that the Greek name "Sumela" may have derived from the word "Melas," meaning "black" or "dark." While some believe the term refers to the dark-colored Karadag Mountain, where the monastery was founded, others associate it with the black depiction of the Virgin Mary in the area. The Karadag Mountain, on which the monastery is built, is composed of dark-colored basalt and andesite rocks so the name may have originated from its geographical features.

Although there are various opinions regarding the construction date of Sumela Monastery, the surviving structures are known to belong to the 13th and 14th centuries during the Trabzon Empire period.

Even after Trabzon and its surrounding areas fell into Turkish hands, Sumela Monastery maintained its significance. The Ottoman sultans carefully preserved the monastery's rights and privileges, granting privileges and sending gifts, as they did with many other monasteries. It is known that Fatih Sultan Mehmed acknowledged the rights of the monastery and protected them through a decree, Yavuz Sultan Selim gifted two candelabras to the sanctuary, and II. Selim, III. Murad, Ibrahim, IV. Mehmed, II. Süleyman, and III. Ahmed issued decrees related to the monastery. Sultan III. Ahmed and I. Mahmud ordered the restoration of the monastery's interior walls and the renewal of frescoes, covering the expenses. In the 19th century, adding large buildings enhanced the monastery's magnificent appearance, marking its most affluent and prosperous period. The number of priests reached one hundred during this time, and with the generosity of Sultan Abdulhamid, the monastery's land was expanded to encompass fifteen surrounding villages.

The monastery was seized during the Russian occupation of Trabzon between 1916 and 1918. Following the population exchange after the War of Independence, the monastery was abandoned entirely with the migration of Greeks living in the region to Greece. Subsequently, it fell into disrepair due to neglect, was burned in 1930, suffered significant damage, and its masonry parts collapsed. Many of the frescoes were removed and stolen. In 1972, the Ministry of Culture declared it a protected site; in 1981, it was designated as a natural conservation area. In 1987, with the declaration of the Altindere Valley as a national park, the monastery received better protection. The monastery complex consists of the main rock-carved church, several chapels, a kitchen, student rooms, a guesthouse, a library, and a holy spring.

Additionally, at the monastery's entrance, there is a restored water conduit that leans against the slope. The main entrance to the sanctuary is reached by a narrow staircase consisting of 62 steps. Next to the entrance gate, there are guard rooms, and from there, an internal courtyard can be accessed by a 76-step staircase leading further down to the main church with a 96-step staircase. This section is a place of worship, a holy spring believed to have sacred properties where water drips from the rock, and three to four chapels. The library and guest rooms are on the right side of the descending staircase. The lower part of the monastery, which consists of four floors, contains 72 monk cells, storage rooms, pantries, and cellars.