Vazelon Monastery

Vazelon Monastery is the oldest and most important monastery in the Trabzon region. It is also the wealthiest monastery in the region, located in the Black Sea area of Trabzon. It was built in 270 AD and was rebuilt multiple times throughout history. The current structure dates back to 1410 AD.

 It is a four-story structure with unique architecture and a variety of rooms, consisting of two chapels and a church built into a cave atop it. The monastery was abandoned in 1923. It was once home to a bell tower, a vast dining hall, a kitchen, and a cistern. The other chapel is on the northern end of the central monastic complex. This ancient architecture still stands strong and holds many of the historic frescoes to this day, including a depiction of Heaven, Hell, the Last Judgment, and an image of baby Jesus in a cradle. This monastery is dedicated to Elias and also has a separate chapel devoted to him.