Sumela Monastery Turkey Postcard

Perched dramatically on a precipitous cliff face in the Altindere Valley, Sumela Monastery is a breathtaking testament to Byzantine architecture and religious devotion. Founded in the 4th century, the monastery complex seems almost impossible to have been constructed, clinging to the sheer rock wall high above the lush green forests below. Visitors are awe-struck by its secluded, spiritual atmosphere and the incredible views it commands over the surrounding mountains and valley. Accessing the monastery involves a steep hike through the dense woodlands, leading eventually to the main complex built into the rock.