Sumela Monastery

 archaeological site, orthodox christianity, pilgrimage, draw only border, historic ruins, cave church/monastery

The Sumela Monastery is a Greek Orthodox monastery dedicated to the Virgin Mary at Melá Mountain (which is a direct translation of the Greek name Ssou Melá, "Black Mountain") within the Pontic Mountains range, in the Maçka district of Trabzon Province in modern Turkey.

Nestled in a steep cliff at an altitude of about 1,200 metres (3,900 ft) facing the Altındere valley, it is a site of great historical and cultural significance, as well as a major tourist attraction within Altındere National Park.

The monastery was founded in AD 386 during the reign of the Emperor Theodosius I (375 - 395), by two Athenian monks, which was famous for an icon of the Virgin Mary known as the Panagia Gorgoepekoos, said to have been painted by the Apostle Luke.

You can read more on the following wikipedia link.