Trabzon, historically and socio-culturally being the most important centre of Eastern Black Sea Region, has a history of approximately 5000 years, though its exact date of foundation is unknown. The unsuitability of the climate and territory of the region for archaeological explorations makes it difficult to determine its exact date of foundation. However, some surface investigations and cave probes have proved that the region has been inhabited for thousands of years. In 7th century BC, the Miletans who came to the shores of Black Sea for trade purposes colonised some areas from Sinop eastwards. They founded one of these colonies in Trabzon, which they had invaded. Because of its strategic importance, Trabzon was made the centre of the colonies in the region. In his memoirs called “Anabasis”, Ksenophon, who wanted to transport his returning army via Trabzon after the wars with the Persians in 400 BC, reports the presence of some combatant and civilised tribes in the region such as Tibaren, Khalybi, Drill, Tzanni, Makron and Kolkh. In their books, some European historians claim these tribes to be of Turanian origin.

After the collapse of the Alexander the Great’s large but short-lived empire, Trabzon was left to the Pontus Kingdom which was founded by a Persian nobleman in the North Anatolia (280-66 BC). With the occupation of this kingdom by the Romans, the Roman period started in Trabzon. From then on, Trabzon became an important base for the Roman military campaigns against the Persians. After the division of the Roman Empire as East and West circa 395 AC, the region was left to the Eastern Roman Empire known as Byzantium. Because of its strategic location, the administrative, military and commercial importance of Trabzon increased day by day during the Ottoman reign. Its use as a military base and as a supply centre for military campaigns to Iran and Caucasia, and its location on the historical Silk Road reinforced its importance. In his ‘Travels’, Evliya Çelebi visited the city of Trabzon and described it as one of the most developed and colourful cities of the Empire. He also mentions the sincerity of the people, together with remarks indicating the cleanliness and beauty of the city. In the beginning of 19th century, the city was the central for disputes caused by “ayans” (notables) and, at times, it fell into the control of them. Afterwards, thanks to state forces, the city was gained back from the ayan control. All this unrest caused a big damage and turmoil around the city.

With the Armistice of Mondros, the Ottoman Empire faced with many sanctions of the Allies as the defeated side of the World War I. During the independence war, which started with Ataturk’s arrival in Samsun on 19 May 1919, the people of Trabzon fought successfully against the enemy. By reacting strongly, the “Trabzon Mudafaa-i Hukuk Cemiyeti” (Trabzon National Society for the Defence of Rights), which was established during the invasion of the Allies, successfully stopped the Greek-Pontus and Armenian attempts to acquire the region. Finally, after the victory in the Independence War, and with the foundation of the Republic of Turkey on 29 October 1923, Trabzon became one of the major cities of the new Republic.

Depending on the agreement on minority exchange with Greece, the Greek minority was sent to Greece. With his visits in 1924, 1930 and 1937, Atatürk honoured the city by emphasising the importance of the city and its people. Having had a new look with the new republic, Trabzon has maintained its characteristic as a developing modern city with its rich history, educational institutions, transportation, medical care, and commerce.

The restored 13^th century Byzantine church, used for centuries as a mosque and now the Ayasofya Museum, is the jewel of Trabzon’s monuments. Splendid frescoes, some of the finest examples of Byzantine painting, cover every surface of the interior church walls. Several other churches were converted to mosques, such as the, Fatih Mosque and the Yeni Cuma Mosque. The Ottoman Gulbahar Mosque, a typical provincial style building, is set in a lovely tea garden. Wood houses fill the old quarter in the ancient fortifications, and it still retains the spirit of the medieval town. The house in which Ataturk stayed has been made into a museum. Boztepe Park on the hills above Trabzon, offers a beatiful view of the city and coastline. On the western slopes of Boztepe Hill stands the Irene Tower, built by Empress Irene of Trabzon in 1340 here. In the region Altindere National Park provides a magnificent setting for the 14th century Sumela monestary, perched high one a cliff face 270 meters above a deep gorge

Sumela

Situated in a very beautiful and natural setting, Sumela Monastery built in the 14thcentury is nestled into the side of rocks in a famous valley.

This important monastery is only 50 Kms away from Trabzon, the coastal Black Sea city of Turkey. The place is 1200 meters above the sea level where according to legend, an icon of the virgin had come to Athens but one day a holy image,transported by angels, crossed the ocean and landed in to grotto at the top of the Zigana mountain. Two Greek monks Barnaba and Sophronios, who had come here to live in prayer, saw the icon and decide to dedicate a monastery to it. Probably the name 'Sumela' derives from the Greek 'Melas' which means black and which referred not to the mountain but to the color the ancient image had undoubtedly acquired. Apparently the icon had been painted by an anonymous artist active in Trabzon in the course of the 7th (10th) century. As pilgrimages increased Sumela become one of the most important sites for meditation. During the Greco-Turkish war however the buildings were gradually abandoned. The site of the monastery, with the buildings which seems to cling to the cliff that overlooks the green valley below, recalls Mounth Athos and Meteors, both in Greece. Two Greek monks, Barnaba and Sophronios started the original building. The 7th century Icona apparently painted by an anonymous Trabizond (Trabzon) artist became the symbol of the monastery. It is believed that the name "Sumela" comes from the Greek word "melas" which means "black" and it rfers to the characteristic dark color of this icona.

The Church of the Assumption of the Virgin and the large monastery complex had 5 floors and a total of 72 rooms. The whole building was full of frscoes and the walls. The large par of the building was hewn out of the rock. It stands in front of a beautiful valley scenery and sharp rocky mountains behind. Partially hewn out of the rock, the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin was once full of frescoes, one of which commemorated the coronation of Alexis II, which took place in 1340. In the 14th century the large monastery was built against the rock wall. The first four of its five floors had 72 cells and the top floor was a gallery which also had a look out post. The ruines one of the best place to visit on the Trabzon region.