Sumela – Karaca Cave

Sumela Monastery having the elevation of 1150m is located in Altındere Village of Maçka subordinate of Trabzon. The monastery which was founded on the step surface of the mount having the view of Altındere Valley is called ‘Mother Mary’ by the local people. This structure which is 300m high from the bottom of the valley has sustained the tradition of the monasteries to be founded outside the city center, in the forests, ınsıde the caves and on river banks.

Depart for Karaca Cave which will be our second sight-seeing point. After an hour journey, around 1 p.m. we reach Karaca Cave. This cave which is 96 km far from Trabzon and 72 km from Maçka has an elevatıon of 1550m and is located in Torul subordinate of the city Gümüşhane. You can find many wonders of natureinside such as stalactites and stalacmites, columns, walls havıng org figures, travertens and cave plants. After the lunch and sight-seeing, around 3.30 p.m. we depart for Hamsiköy which will be our last sight-seeing, poınt. Followıng the old Iranıan Road or the Silk Road,we arrive in the village around 4.30 after we taste the rice puding peculiar to this village and some trekking.