Virgin Mary Cave Church

Virgin Mary Cave Church

The Virgin Mary Cave Church, situated in the Sultanselim District of Giresun Province, is a small cave carved into a rock at a height of 2-3 meters from the road on the western side of Giresun Castle, facing the harbor. The structure is believed to have been originally a small cave that was later expanded and converted into a church in the 4th or 5th century AD.

Access to the church is provided by a small stone bridge built during the Ottoman period. It is surrounded by an atrium, and a holy spring fountain for sailors and church visitors is located on one side of the building.

Virgin Mary Cave Church

The Church of the Virgin Mary, also known as "Panaia" or "Surp Sarkis" by some sources, is a small rectangular church with a single nave. While the church was mainly constructed with simple materials, neat cut stones were also used in some places, and the gaps between the stones were filled with white mortar. The building can be accessed through a small opening added to the northwest corner.

The northwest wall of the church has three crenellated rectangular windows which provide natural illumination. The church has a barrel vault covering from inside the cave and a half-round apse attached to the east facade. There are several niches in the church, some of which are damaged. The water from the cave flows forward from the apse of the church and is transferred to the cistern through a barrel-vaulted channel under the church. It is then connected to the fountain from there.

The church is considered holy and is said to have healing waters, which is credited to the miraculous use of the Virgin Mary's name. The site is three floors, and parts of the natural cave surface have been plastered, while restorations were carried out in 2013.