After 4 years of restoration work, the historic Soumela Monastery, which attracted thousands of visitors each year and was to reopen in May this year, will remain closed.
The main reason is the coronavirus pandemic that has afflicted particularly the area of Trabzon, but also the delay of the restoration and support works of the building due to adverse weather conditions.
“Everything went wrong in 2020,” said Hassan Volkan Kadartzi, president of the Travel Agents Association of Eastern Black Sea. “We had a restriction on the tourist season. We expect some domestic tourism. Normally, the plans were to complete the work of the Monastery by the end of May. In order to have tourism, restoration works must first be completed.”
It is noted that exactly one year ago, in May 2019, and while the works were in progress, a part of the surrounding area of the monastery had been opened, after the huge rocks that threatened the monastery had been supported.
The Turkish authorities had announced that the space was to be completely opened and that the Ecumenical Patriarch would be given permission to officiate this year at the established Divine Liturgy during the feast of Panagia Soumela, on August 15.
The monastery, which is carved into the rock at an altitude of 1,200 meters and was founded in 386 by the Byzantine emperor Theodosius, has been closed for 5 years due to its restoration. In 2015, the monastery was closed for a year in order to carry out urgent work due to a landslide. Apart from its enormous religious and historical value, the monastery is one of the most popular attractions for visitors to the Trabzon region.
Source: ANA-MPA