In a phone call, Bartholomew, the Fener Greek patriarch based in Istanbul, expressed his gratitude to Erdoğan for his support and interest in restoring the monastery, now on UNESCO's World Heritage Temporary List.
Sumela Monastery, located 300 meters (985 feet) above the forests that cover Altındere Valley in the northeastern province of Trabzon, is known locally as Meryem Ana or Virgin Mary.
Most parts of the monastery were renovated in the 18th century, and some walls were adorned with frescoes. The addition of large buildings in the 19th century brought the structure its modern form.
Major sections of the monastery include the main stone church, chapels, kitchen, teaching rooms, guest rooms, library, and holy spring.
A large aqueduct can be seen at the entrance of the monastery on a cliffside.
The church sits in front of a vast cavern in the side of Mt. Karadağ, which also houses various other monastery buildings.
Frescoes in the chapel date back to the beginning of the 18th century, with three layers done in three different eras. The lowest-layer frescoes are of the highest quality.
The frescoes, some of which were removed or damaged over time, depict biblical scenes from the lives of Jesus and the Virgin Mary.
