The ruins of Sumela Monastery can be seen on the slopes of the Zigana Mountains to the south of Trabzon. This place is known as “Meryem Ana”, or “the Virgin Mary” by the local people. Its old name is “Sumela Monastery”. Many people consider its origins to be extremely old, and this opinion is widely held among the Byzantine Greek community of the Black Sea coast. Sumela was founded in what must be the most beautiful spot in the magnificent scenery of this area, in which there are several monasteries, places of worship, and other buildings of a religious nature.