Turkey partially restores 670-year-old Imera Monastery

GUMUSHANE, Turkey

Partial restoration of the Imera Monastery in Turkey’s Black Sea region has been completed.

Located in the Olucak village of Gumushane province, the gothic-style Christian-Orthodox monastery is among the most important religious structures of the Eastern Black Sea region.

It has striking features including its eastern entrance and unique lighting techniques.

As part of the restoration project, the roof of the 670-year-old monastery, missing stones and a damaged column inside were repaired.

Gumushane governor Kamuran Tasbilek told Anadolu Agency on Tuesday that the monastery has been partially restored, and can be visited by the public.

Hamdi Nas, the head of the Olucak village, said the monastery is an important landmark.

"Many people come to see the monastery... people who migrated from here are coming to our village from Greece and Belgium to see the places where their ancestors lived,” he said.

Underlining the region's tourism potential, Nas hoped full restoration work would end soon.

*Writing by Gozde Bayar