Girls Monastery

Girls Monastery, also popularly known as Panagia Keramista, is a former female monastery built during the rule of the Byzantine Empire. It was renovated multiple times over the years and took its final shape in the 19th century. A high protective wall surrounds it, and its foundation is laid on two terraces. It comprises a rock church on the south side, Kaya Church, a chapel near the entrance, and a few rooms inside.

The church is home to portraits and inscriptions of Alexios III, his mother Irene, and his wife, Theodora. It also houses some important religious relics. The walls of the church display depictions of angels, prophets, and saints. The monastery stands on the periphery of Boztepe mountain, overlooking the city of Trabzon. Water leakage through the curves of the rocks in the church is nascent to the existence of a holy spring. It is believed that carving a natural cave in the shape of a barrel was the process of creating the church. This barrel-vaulted cover is magnificently covered with frescos.