Maçka & Hamsiköy

Maçka and Hamsiköy offer a rich combination of mountain scenery, traditional village life and historic monastic heritage in the Trabzon region. Located south of Trabzon, the area is surrounded by forested valleys, highland landscapes and routes that have connected the Black Sea coast with the interior for centuries. Hamsiköy Village is one of the best-known mountain settlements in the area. Surrounded by green slopes and dramatic valley views, the village is known for its peaceful atmosphere, traditional houses and cool highland climate. Its elevated setting makes it a popular stop for scenic drives and countryside excursions. Hamsiköy is also famous for its traditional rice pudding, known as Hamsiköy sütlacı. Local restaurants and cafés serve this regional speciality, making the village an important culinary stop as well as a scenic destination. Nearby, Vazelon Monastery is one of the oldest monastic sites in the Trabzon region. Established in the Byzantine period and rebuilt several times over the centuries, the monastery stands in a secluded forested valley and was once an important religious centre connected with the Christian communities of the region. The remains of Vazelon include church structures, living quarters and rock-cut spaces surrounded by dense vegetation. Its remote setting creates a dramatic atmosphere and offers visitors a strong sense of the monastic life that once developed in the mountains south of Trabzon. Kuştul Monastery, also known as Peristera Monastery, is another important historic religious site in the Maçka area. Built on a steep mountainside, the monastery occupied a commanding position above the surrounding valley and reflects the strong Byzantine monastic tradition of the region. Although much of Kuştul Monastery survives today in ruins, its location remains one of its most impressive features. The combination of mountain scenery, forested slopes and historic remains gives the site a striking and remote character. Together, Hamsiköy Village, Vazelon Monastery and Kuştul Monastery reveal the cultural and natural richness of Maçka. Traditional village life, regional cuisine, Byzantine heritage and dramatic Black Sea mountain scenery make the area one of the most rewarding excursions around Trabzon.