Cave monastery Chelter-Marmara in Crimea: description, history and location

On the territory of the Crimean peninsula there are many unique historical attractions. One of the most famous ancient buildings is the Chelter-Marmara cave monastery, located at an altitude of 400 meters above sea level.

This building is a large cave monastery, which includes many passages and rooms. The landmark is located in Sevastopol, near the village Ternovka. Buildings of this type are widespread in the Crimea. Many centuries ago, monks set up houses inside the mountains. Similarly, people defended themselves from enemies.

The ancient monastery of Chelter Marmara is located on Mount Chelter-Kaya, in the western part. At the top of the cliff is a large Orthodox cross. The name of the sight, consisting of two words, means the following: “chelter” (in Tatar) - lattice or sieve, “Marmara” - the name of the village, which was nearby in the past (according to historians).

Accurate data on how this monastery arose is not available. Many experts believe that it was founded by icon worshipers who belonged to one of the areas of Byzantine Christianity. It is believed that the building was founded in the IX century. This information suggests that the monastery appeared before the official birth of ancient Orthodoxy, the beginning of which dates from 1054.

According to the second version, the monastery was founded earlier, in the VIII century. Some historians report that he was originally Orthodox. The caves in the mountain, where the historical monument is located, were formed naturally.

Many historians believe that the monastery was inhabited until the XV century. After it destroyed the Turkish conquerors. The main purpose of the military was enrichment. During the campaigns the Turks often robbed the church. The cloister was forgotten until 1886. Then an amazing structure attracted the attention of Berthier Delagard - a military engineer and architect born in Sevastopol.

The ancient monastery surprises with its large size. Also, the monks reliably protected and strengthened the monastery. Pieces of the defensive wall of stone preserved to this day. The monastery includes 5 levels, which consist of natural caves and manually decorated walkways. The whole object is divided into 50 separate rooms. Unfortunately, not all of them are preserved.

This part was used for domestic needs and consisted of small passages in the mountains. Also in the first tier, the clergymen installed several tombs. They can be identified by round entrances. Here were the cells (housing of monks) - compact rooms with low and small entrances.

This part of the monastery is considered the most fascinating. From the first tier a stone staircase leads to it. Here is a gallery decorated with stone columns. From this place there are passageways to 11 separate rooms, the dimensions of which are larger compared with the rooms of the first tier. Many of them formed in grief in a natural way.

Separately, it is worth noting a spacious room with massive supports of stone columns. The floor area is 150 meters. Here, the former inhabitants equipped special tanks to collect rainwater and use it in everyday affairs. Such forethought helped to withstand possible sieges.

The next tier reached our time in its original form only partially, due to partial destruction. Historians have determined that at this level 15 rooms were equipped. All of them are interconnected by aisles and stairs, creating a unified system.

During the research, scientists discovered two tombs. Before entering the tombs there are inscriptions in ancient Greek. Unfortunately, over several centuries, the letters were greatly erased, and they could not be deciphered. In each room there are windows that the monks personally hacked to the mountain. Holes overlook the picturesque valley.

The last levels suffered the most. The highest level of the monastery can be reached from the top of the cliff, through a special dip. However, you need to be as careful as possible. Historians believe that the church was located in this part of the monastery, perhaps not in the singular. It is worth noting that The cave monastery is a historic landmark and is protected by law.

Today the monastery is effective. The monks settled there and are active. In 2007, on the basis of the building, they organized a cloister in honor of the priest Sawa the Sanctified. Nowadays, an amazing room inside the mountain is used as a church.

Here are the famous icons:

• The Monk Savva the Sanctified;
• St. Savva Serbsky, local parishioners declare that in 2009 they were myrrh-streaming.

It is worth noting that an amazing phenomenon was confirmed by representatives of members of a reputable commission. Parishioners and monks believe that such an amazing event is connected with the arrival of Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill, who visited the Crimean diocese. The myrrh of the icon began before the scheduled arrival of the above-mentioned persons, and after leaving the phenomenon gradually began to disappear.

Now the Chelter-Marmara brethren are included a few by a monk. Each of them is hard at work on the restoration and ennobling of the monastery. Monks make a huge contribution to the preservation of the historical value of the Crimea. Currently, church services are held every week on Sundays. Also, special events are held on the dates of Orthodox holidays.

Living and utility rooms are located not only in the main part of the monastery, but also on the plateau. A staircase leads to it, which is tall in grief. Next to the monastery, at a distance of 1 kilometer there is a natural spring surrounded by forest. It was illuminated in honor of St. Euphemia. Also equipped a bath.

To see with your own eyes a famous historical monument, you can use public transport. The easiest way to get to it from Sevastopol. You need to sit down at the stop “5th kilometer of Balaklava Highway”. From there buses with numbers 40 and 109 depart. Exit in the village Ternovka. Next to the sights will have to go on foot.

Shuttle taxi is scheduled. You can also get on your own car, using a map or GPS-navigator. The address is the peninsula of Crimea, city - Sevastopol, Balaklava district, village Ternovka. From Simferopol to get to the monastery is not very convenient. From the city buses go to the village of Khmelnitsky and Rodnoye. They depart from Zapadnoye station.

In the next video, see an overview of the cave monastery Chelter Marmara in the Crimea.