The age of the monastery close to the district town Maçka at Trabzon is uncertain, legend has it that it was founded in the 4^th century AD. It is certain that it gained importance and was enlarged at the time of the Komnenian emperor of Trapezunt (between the 13^th and 15^th century).

Since the population exchange between Turkey and Greece, in which the Turks had to leave their homeland they had lived for centuries in Greece just like the Greeks outside of Istanbul and the few Turkish islands, the monastery is deserted. Only the buildings and the many frescos, which cover the outer walls of the sacral and more profane buildings, still tell about old splendour. The oldest of the paintings originate from the Komnenian time, many others, though, from the 18^th century, when the monastery was last restorated.

The monastery is in bad need of extensive renovations and protective measures: very unfortunate are the many scribblings and carved names of visitors, among them many foreign guests, who wanted to secure a place in history as vandals here.