Kachi-Kalon in Crimea: features and location

In ancient times, Crimea was aptly called the second Athos. Indeed, its historical and cultural value is rooted in the time of the Byzantine Empire, when monasteries began to be built in the caves. This idea was developed by the first Christians of the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern countries. One of the most famous of these monasteries was Kachi Kalon.

The cave city of Kachi-Kalon is located on the territory of the Bakhchisaray reserve and represents a complex of five grottoes or small caves (tarapanov), in which grapes were choked in the Middle Ages. In addition to them, the complex includes the church of St. Sophia, an old cemetery and defensive fortification.

For many centuries, the monastery in the grottoes was abandoned, and only in recent times, the holy place was reconstructed by the servants of the Holy Assumption Bakhchisaray Monastery.

To date, Kachi-Kalon is conditionally divided into several parts. The first two grottoes, most likely, never belonged to the monks, according to its purpose it was a winery with pits and squeezers. All rocky rooms located at different levels, as well as grooves for fixing wooden supports, have been preserved here.

There were no caves between the second and third grottoes, there was a relatively flat area, on which grapes were most likely crushed. Experts estimate that the site’s capabilities involved processing up to 250 tons of berries in just one season.

On the way from the third to the fourth grotto there are many small caves. They served as the abode of the monks, carved phrases in Greek and scratched images of crosses are still visible on their walls.

Fourth grotto – the most spacious He once acted as a cathedral, but over time, earthquakes destroyed most of the vault. Nearby are dozens of caves for household purposes of the ancient elders.

Kachi-Kalon is listed as a historical monument of federal significance. There are several versions explaining the name of this unusual monastery. According to one of them, it comes from a combination of the words “cross ship”, according to another - it became derived from the Kachi River, in the valley of which the monastery is located.

Scientists are more inclined to the first version, since from afar the massif actually resembles a ship, and on one of its sides the image of the main Christian symbol is clearly visible. It is possible that for this reason, many years ago sanctuaries arose here - people saw in this peculiar appearance of the rock a certain omen, which indicates an imminent victory of their faith.

If we talk about the history of the region, it is rather difficult to assume when the first people appeared here, but it is known for certain that Neanderthals lived here, and there is a lot of evidence obtained during excavations.

In the VI century, a settlement was built here, the inhabitants of which were actively engaged in winemaking, animal breeding and trade. For many years, the place remained very busy, because it was located right at the crossroads of several trade routes. Obviously, the manufacture of drinks was the main occupation of the local population, since during the excavations, more than 120 scratches were discovered - wineries cut down in stone.

In territorial terms, the area of ​​Kachi Kalon is located somewhere between "you can walk and walk" and "it is better to wait for the bus." On the one hand, the road to the monastery, according to the map, is 9 km long, however, quite comfortable. On the other hand, by motor transport you can drive to your destination in just a quarter of an hour and be literally at the entrance. Each route has its pros and cons, therefore choose an option, focusing only on your preferences and capabilities.

For those who don’t like walking, but who don’t have their own car, A bus runs from Bakhchisaray bus station. You should choose a route that goes to the village of Sinapnoye, and take tickets to Predelitelny or to Bashtanovka - the rise to Kachi-Kalon is located approximately in the middle between these two stations, near the road itself.

Buses run every half hour, but only in the morning and afternoon. There are no evening flights and this greatly complicates the way back.

Therefore most preferred The following options for visiting the cave monastery.

• Leave early in the morning and return at lunchtime.
• Depart to Bakhchisarai in the morning and go back on foot, preferably still light.
• Take a taxi which at any time will take you from Kachi Kalon to the place where you stayed on vacation. The road from the Primal to Bakhchisarai will cost about 130-150 rubles. If the dispatcher will voice a large amount, feel free to contact another carrier.
• Another option - go at any convenient time and spend the night in Bashtanovka. There you can always rent a room, a house or a room in a small hotel.

The main attraction of the mountain Kachi Kalona is small church of Hagia Sophia, built in a rather large fragment of a rock that collapsed in time immemorial.

The temple is located next to the very first grotto and is very clearly visible from afar. The church is active - there are icons, you can put candles, sometimes priests conduct services. The temple can simultaneously accommodate up to 10 people. In the old days there was a cemetery near the church, but today there is a huge boulder in its place - it is believed that a tomb could have been built in it. By the way, the temple received its name not in honor of any particular Sophia, but as a sign of the wisdom of Christ, because in Greek, Sofia means "wisdom".

The fourth grotto is considered one of the most impressive; its height is about 70 m. On the way to it, the remains of the fortress wall, which was once used to protect and defend the monastery from external attacks, were still preserved. From the point of view of archeology, Kachi-Kalon is still not well studied, so scientists are not yet ready to answer the question of how exactly these defensive structures looked.

It was in this grotto, several centuries after the creation of the cave settlement, that a monastery arose. Today, a dormitory for monks is built there, and one of the most famous sources is located. He once provided the inhabitants of the cave with drinking water. There is evidence that for many women, water from the spring has helped to establish women's health and get rid of diseases. There is also a legend that if you try the berries of a cherry tree growing near the monastery, it will certainly help to conceive a healthy child.

In one of the grottoes, a funerary was equipped; an old cemetery is located near the entrance to the caves. In the old days, the monks had a rather peculiar custom to bury their dead, which they borrowed on Old Athos. The body of the departed person was buried in a separate place, and when the flesh decayed, and only bones remained from it, they were placed in a special hole. At the ancient burial near the first grotto there is a tombstone, whose age is one thousand years old!

Visitors to Kachi Kalon should know that, in addition to the monastery itself and the cave town, there are many other interesting cultural and historical monuments within walking distance. One of them is the parking of the first person. It is no secret that people inhabited this place long before the advent of medieval wine-making communities.

Not far from the road, which runs parallel to Kachi-Kalona, ​​you can see the Kachinsky canopy. It is believed that he served as a parking lot for Neanderthals. The dwelling of ancient hunters was located under a massive stove.

Already in the gorge itself there is another parking lot, a little later. A spring beats here, and on the rocks you can see drawings made several millennia ago. Of course, over time, they faded, but are still clearly distinguishable - hunting scenes are depicted here. From the side, they may seem like ordinary children's art, but in reality they are of great historical value.

No less interesting is the bead temple, the path to it lies a little away from the road to the grottoes. Here was built a church in honor of St. Anastasia. During its arrangement, a variety of methods of interior decoration were tested, but none of them came up, beads became the only possible solution. The interior of this temple is truly surprising - absolutely all the decorative elements are made of beads by hand and very carefully.

Once in Kachi Kalone, you definitely need to climb the plateau itself. The mountain offers truly magnificent views of the picturesque nature and nearby villages. The vegetation in this place is represented by the most diverse varieties of the Crimean flora. Well, for adrenaline lovers there is a camp of base jumpers who every day make their jumps down the mountain range.

About the features of visiting Kachi Kalona in Crimea, see below.