CASTLE
The city walls, the greater part of which are still standing, are among the city's oldest structures. Indeed, their oldest part can be dated back to the 1st. century AD, that is the Roman Period. Historical sources provide information about older stages of their construction. Xenophon, who visit the city in the 5th century BC, also mentions the existence of city walls. The walls of Trabzon can be divided into three parts that are Yukarı Hisar (The inner stronghold) and Orta Hisar were founded on the towering mass of rocks between Kuzgun Creek and İmaret (İskeleboz) Creek. This structure comprises the oldest part of the stronghold and could be described has roughly Trapezoid in shape. The name of the city derives from the word "Trapez" or "Trapezus", which means "Trapezoid"
AKÇAKALE
In Akçakale, which is 18 km. to the west of Trabzon, there is a fortress built on a terrace facing the sea. It is estimated that the fortress was built by Emperor Alexios I (1297-1330) for protection against the Seljuks. The fortress was defended for another seven years after the conquest of Trabzon, until it was taken over by Mahmut Paşa, one of the commanders of Fatih Sultan Mehmet.
When he died during the attacks, he was buried at the fortress.This fortress, reconstructed in the Ottoman time and enlarged by additions, served as an important military base until the beginning of our century. Although most of the fortress has collapsed, the original style can still be made out. However, the sections between the storeys made of wood, did not reach our time.
MONASTERIES / CHURCHES
According to some sources, Trabzon's city walls go back as far as the 5th century BC. Early Roman traces are still visible. They were enlarged and restorated in the Ottoman period. The walls were built as three separate sections. Yukarıhisar (upper fortress), Ortahisar (middle fortress) and Aşağıhisar (lower fortress). Yukarıhisar (upper fortress) was the centre in Byzantine time. Ortahisar (middle fortress) was the centre of administration of Ottaman time. Aşağıhisar (lower fortress) was the city's trade centre.
Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman monument, And narrow cobbled stone streets are Reminders of Trabzon's fascinatinghistory as a strategic Black Sea port until the blue sky faded to grey you may proceed, sometimes talking to the trees and sometimes dancing to birds.
SAINT EUGENEUS CHURCH (YENİCUMA CAMİİ / MOSQUE)
The church dedicated to Trabzon's guardian Saint Eugene is today known as Yeni Cuma Camii. It was built in the 13th or 14th century on the site of an earlier basilica whose founding date is unknown which was demolished to make way for the cruciform plan church.
PANAGHIA CHRYSOCEPHALOS (ORTAHİSAR CAMİİ / MOSQUE)
Panaghia Chrysocephalos was a monastery church dedicated to Mary of golden head built in the 10th century. The original basilica was converted into a cruciform plan in the 12th century. Over the central section is a dome with a high drum. The interior of the church is decorated with Byzantine period frescos and the floor is paved with mosaics.It was converted into a mosque in 1461.
CHURCH OF HAGHIA SOPHIA
The church of Ayasofya, now used as a museum, was built during the reign of Manuel Comnenos I, king of the Empire of Trabzon (1238-1263). The bell tower to the west of the church was dated to 1427 by G. Finlay, a British traveller and scholar. The chapel with three apses, the remains of which are to the north of the church, must belong to an earlier period.
The church was turned into a mosque and became a charitable foundation when the Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror captured Trabzon. For centuries the church of Ayasofya has attention of travellers and scholars visiting the city. Among those who recognized the importance of the building were Evliya Çelebi (1648) famous for his account of Trabzon, Pitton de Tournefort (1701), Hamilton (1836), Texier (1864), Şakir Şevket of Trabzon (1878) and Lynch (1893).
It is known that the mosque, which had fallen into a state of disrepair, was restored in 1864 at the insistence of Rıza Efendi from Bursa. It was used as a depot and hospital during the First War but became a mosque again after the end of the war. Between 1958 and 1962 it was restored in a project carried out jointly by the Ditectorate of Charities and Edinburgh University. In l964 it started to be used as a museum.
The building is a very good example of late Byzantine church arthitecture.It has a cruciform plan, with a high central dome. It has a vestibule, called as a nar thex, and three aisles. The central aisle has a pentagonal apse where as the other two on the sides and semi-circular apses. There is a chapel in the narthex.
The buildings has three porches, on the north , west and south sides.
The dome is supported by four mar ble monolithic columns, with arches and pendentives and, at its base, twelve corners. The building is covered with different vaults around the central dome and tiles were arranged to give different heights to the roof.
In addition toelements reflecting the tradition of Christıan art, the influence of Seljuk art can also be observed in the stone relief which are of superior workman ship. The panels on the north and the west porches are decorated with interlocking geometric design and the ornate niches on the west side have features that are identical to stone-carving of the Seljuk period.
The most attractive side of the building is the south side . Here, on a frieze, the creation of Adam and Eve is depicted in relief. On the keystone of the arch there is a single – headed eagle motif, the symbol of the Comneni who ruled Trabzon for 257 years.
A similar eagle design is to be found on the exterior of main east apses. Among the most beautiful of the stone carving are those found on the south side of the building. They include figures of mythcal creatures such as girifons and centaurs, reliefs depicting doves, and panels decorated with central stars and crescent design and floral motifs.
Ayasofya is an important historical monument with its historical background. Besides its historical values, it also has importance for the field of art history with its centrally-planned structure, high dome, circular and polygonal apses, high worked porches and frescoes.
SAINT ANNA CHURCH
The oldest surviving church in the city, St Anne is known in Turkish as Küçük Ayvasıl. It is in the form of a basilica divided into a nave flanked by two aisles, and there is an inscription over the door referring to repairs carried out in the 9th century. It was restored in 1999 by Governership of Trabzon.
SANTA MARIA CHURCH
It is located on Kemerkaya quarter. It was built in 1869-1874 by Sultan Abdülmecit for foreigns visiters to Trabzon. It is still in use today.
IRENA TOWER (CEPHANELİK)
Known in Turkish as the Cephanelik or Fatih Kulesi it was built between 1340-1341 by Empress Irena. Its historical backgraund is unknown. It is still under going restoration but it will be used as a restaurant.
VIRGIN MARY MONASTERY (SUMELA MONASTERY)
The Sumela Monastery, which stands at the foot of a steep cliff facing the Altındere valley in the region of Maçka in Trabzon Province, is popularly known as "Meryem Ana" (The Virgin Mary). The building complex is nearly 300 metres high and was built following the tradition of monasteries that were located outside the cities in forest near caves and sources of water.
The Monastery, founded in honour of the Virgin Mary, took the name of "Sumela" which derives from "Melas", meaning black. Although it is thought that it has taken this name from the mountains, the Karadağlar (Black Mountains), on which stands, it could also be associated with the black colour of the icon of the Virgin Mary.
According to tradition, the Monastery was founded by two priests called Barnabas and Sophronius who came from Athens during the reign of the Emperor Theodosius I (AD 375 – 395). Then, in the 6th century, it was restored by the General Belisarius at the behest Emperor Justinian who wanted it to be enlarged and restored.
The Monastery reached its final, present form in the 13th century. It gained importance during the reign of Alexios III (1349 – 1390) of the Comnenian Empire of Trabzon, which had been established in 1204. Its income was assured from imperial funds. During the time of Manuel III, son of Alexius III, and the reigns of later princes, Sumela gained further wealth from new imperial grants. 
Like most other monasteries, the rights of the Sumela Monastery were preserved by the Ottoman Sultans and some special privileges were given after the Eastern Black Sea Coast came under the domination of the Turks.
During the 18th century many parts of the Monastery were restored and the walls were decorated with frescoes. In the 19th century the Monastery took on an impressive appearence with the addition of larger buildings. This was the Monastery's heyday and it attracted many foreign travellers who mentioned it in their writings.
The Monastery was seized by the Russian during the occupation of Trabzon between 1916 – 1918, and then in 1923 it was completely abandoned.
The principal elements of the Monastery complex are the Rock Church, several chapels, kitchens, student rooms, a guesthouse, library and sacred spring revered by Orthodox Greeks. These were built over a very large area.
The large aqueduct at the entrance, which clearly supplied water to the Monastery, is constructed against the side of the cliff. The aqueduct has many arches which now mostly restorated.
The entrance to the Monastery leads up by a long and narrow stairway. There is guard-room next to the entrance. The stairs lead from there to the inner courtyard. On the left, in front of cave, which constitutes the centre of the Monastery and which was turned into a church , there are several monastery buildings. The library is to the right.
The large building with a balcony on the front part of the cliff was used for the monks' cells and as guesthouse. It dates to 1860.
The influence of Turkish art can be observed in the design of the cupboards, niches and fire-place in the rooms of the buildings surrounding the courtyard.
The inner and outer walls of the Rock Church and the walls of the adjacent chapel are decorated with frescoes. The frescoes of the time of Alexios III can be seen on the inner wall of the Rock Church facing the courtyard. The frescoes of the chapel which were painted on three levels in three different periods are dated to the beginning of the 18th century. The frescoes of the bottom band are of superior quality.
The frescoes of the Sumela Monastery are seriously damaged since they have largely been moved from their original settings. The main subject of the frescoes are biblical scenes telling the story of Christ and the Virgin Mary.
The much important sections of Sumela has been restorated and restorations, conservations are still continued.
VAZELON MONASTERY
Vazelon lies within pine forests 7 km to the west of Kiremitli village in the Maçka district of the province.It is also boasts a sacred spring and cave, in front of which the original monastery was founded. The present church and monastic cells dated from the 19th century. The chapel 9 m. to the north of this group of buildings dates from the 15th century, inside are a number of exquisite frescoes.
Gregorius Peristera ( KUSTUL - HIZIR ILYAS ) Monastery
Kuştul or Peristera is near Şimşirli Villege in the Maçka District of the Province. Founded in the middle of 8th century, other buildings were added over the years. Now, however, only the outlines of its foundations can be seen.
KAYMAKLI MONASTERY
Founded 3 km to the south east of Trabzon on the land over looking to Değirmendere Valley of Boztepe was built in 1424. The rectangular complex of buildings consists of church with a single apses, a bell tower to the south west, a small chapel on the south east side and monastic cells. A number of repairs and renovation have taken place in the monastery and its oldest part is the pentagonal apses of the church. The frescoes inside the church daded from the 8th century
THEOKEPHASTROS (KIZLAR) MONASTERY
Theokephastros stands at the foot of Boztepe mountain, over looking the city. The monastery complex built on two terraces, is surrounded by a protective high wall. The monastery was founded in the reign of Alexios III (1349-1390). Having undergone major repairs several times, it assumed its present form in the 19th century. The monastery initialy comprised the Rock Church on the south side the chapel in its entrance and a few cells. Inside Rock Church there are inscriptions and portraits of Alexios III, his wife Theodora and his mother, Eirene.