The Virgin Mary Monastery

The Virgin Mary Monastery

Located in Şebin Karahisar, a district of Giresun Province, the Virgin Mary Monastery is a complex consisting of various structures including a dining hall, dormitory, church, classrooms, and more. Its origins can be traced back to the Byzantine period, and it is similar in style to the well-known Sumela Monastery, which was estimated to have been completed in the late 4th century and is also carved into a cliff.

The Virgin Mary Monastery

Accessed by an entrance with 26 steps, the monastery is carved into a single rock and has multiple floors accessible by stairs. The lower level contains cistern water while the upper level houses a church that extends through four levels.The monastery building comprises of four floors, with the first three containing 32 rooms for various purposes such as halls, kitchens, and toilets. It is said to have been constructed during medieval times but was destroyed in a massive fire before being rebuilt in the 19th century.

Until 1940, the Greeks residing in and around Giresun, Ordu, Trabzon, and other regions would come to the city for three days, beginning on August 26, to worship at the monastery.

Located in the Şebinkarahisar district, the Virgin Mary Monastery holds a significant place in faith tourism due to its location and architecture. Its stonework, which consists of carefully cut stone, can also be found in other monasteries such as the Sumela Monastery in Trabzon.