Giresun Virgin Mary Monastery

Our city is located in Şebinkarahisar District, Sarıyer Village located in the east of Kayadibi Neighborhood. Although the first foundation of the Mother Mary Monastery is written as the middle ages (481 - 490 years) in the sources, it is understood that it was burned in the 19th century and was completely destroyed and completely renovated. The monastery units are scattered on the sloping land between the southeast of the village center and the steep cliffs where the monastery is located. There is a Jewish cemetery (mashatlik), a chapel (small church), a cistern (ayazma), a fountain, and a water tank, as well as a reception hall (room) on the monastery route in the main location.

The monastery building, which was built into the hollow of monolithic natural rock, consists of four levels. At the first level, there is the entrance section with a low round-arched opening built of smooth chipped stones, which is reached by stairs. Based on the evacuation chutes of the units here, it is understood that there are sections such as a bathroom, toilet, and laundry. The second level is entered by a round-arched door. This level forms the central part of the Monastery. As it is understood from the remaining traces, there is a kitchen section consisting of a stove and an oven in this section. The dining hall is accessed through the opening on the north wall of the kitchen. There is a storage room under the dining room. To the north of the central space, there is the manager-cominos room. The third level is reached by stairs passing through a round-arched opening to the east of the central section. In this section, there is a large terrace and cells to the north of the terrace. These cells are places for monks to rest and seclude themelves. On the fourth level, there is a basilical planned church and a cloister. The church with three apses is quite plain in terms of decoration.