To reach the impressive monastery in Sumela, you have to climb part of the mountain, at first by car then a little by foot. It's situated in the middle of a very rich natural environment and a very green forest. You can also walk in the surrounding wooded paths, the route is very pleasant in this national park.
Sumela Monastery, built into the side of a mountain,is now almost 2000 years old and is still in very good condition. Actually the majority of the paintings in covered rooms have kept their beautiful colours. The walls are sometimes painted in their totality with Bible scenes, and several saints are illustrated there, This is particularly surprising since you're in a country where the culture is now deeply Muslim. Although you can find Christian places of this type in the caves in Cappadocia, it still remains not very common in Turkey. This place is therefore atypical and a must see in the North of the country in my opinion.