Kachi-Kalon in Crimea: features and location

In ancient times, the Crimea was very aptly named the second Athos. Indeed, its historical and cultural value goes back to the times 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-Kalion.

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

For a long time the cloister in the grottoes was abandoned, and only in modern times by the ministers of the Holy Dormition Bakhchisarai monastery was carried out reconstruction of the holy place.

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

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

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

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 ancient elders.

Kachi-Kalon is listed in historical monuments 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 "crucifixion", on the other - it was derived from the river Kachi, in the valley of which the monastery is located.

Scientists are more inclined to the first version, because from a distance the array really resembles a ship, with an image of the main Christian symbol clearly visible on one of its sides. It is possible that It is for this reason that many years ago sanctuaries arose - people saw in this peculiar appearance of the rock some omen, which indicates a quick victory of their faith.

If we talk about the history of the region, it is rather difficult to guess when exactly the first people appeared here, but it is known for certain that Neanderthals lived here, and there is plenty of evidence from the excavations.

In the 6th century, a settlement was built here, whose residents were actively involved in winemaking, animal breeding and trade. For many years the place remained quite lively, since it was located right at the crossroads of several trade routes.Obviously, the manufacture of beverages was the main occupation of the local population, since during the excavations, more than 120 tarapan were discovered - wineries, carved in stone.

Territorially, the Kachi-Kalyon area is located somewhere between “you can walk and walk” and “it’s better to wait for the bus”. On the one hand, the road to the monastery, according to the map, is 9 km, however, quite comfortable. On the other hand, 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 the option should be based only on their preferences and capabilities.

For those who do not like walking, but it does not have its own car, from the bus station Bakhchisaray bus goes. You should choose a route going to the village of Sinapnoye, and take tickets to Preduschelny or to Bashtanovka - the ascent to Kachi-Kalyon is located approximately midway between these two stations, near the road itself.

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

Therefore, the most preferred The following options visit the cave monastery.

• Leave early in the morning and return at lunchtime.
• Depart for Bakhchisarai in the morning. and walk back, preferably still before dark.
• Take a taxi, which at any time takes you from Kachi-Kalona to the place where you stopped to rest. The road from Preduschelny to Bakhchisaray 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 well visible from a distance. The church is active - there are icons, you can put candles, sometimes priests hold services. The temple can simultaneously accommodate up to 10 people. In the old days, there was a cemetery near the church, but today in its place is a huge boulder - it is believed that a tomb could be arranged in it. By the way, the temple received its name not in honor of a particular Sophia, but as a sign of the wisdom of Christ, because translated from Greek Sophia means “wisdom”.

One of the most impressive is the fourth grotto, its height is about 70 m. On the way to it, the remains of the fortress wall, which was once used for the protection and defense of the monastery from external attacks, are still preserved. From the point of view of archeology, Kachi-Kalyon is still not well studied, so scientists are not yet ready to answer the question of how exactly these defenses looked.

It was in this grotto, several centuries after the creation of the cave settlement, a monastery arose. Nowadays, a monastery dormitory has been built there, and one of the most famous sources is located. Once he provided the inhabitants of the cave with drinking water. There is evidence that many women water from the spring helped to improve 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 hermitage, it will definitely help to conceive a healthy child.

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

Visitors to Kachi-Kalona should know that, besides 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 that runs parallel to Kachi-Kalyona, you can see the Kaczynski carport. It is believed that he served as parking for Neanderthals. The dwelling of ancient hunters was located under a massive slab.

Already in the gorge there is another parking lot, a little later. A spring immediately hits, and on the rocks you can see pictures made several thousand years ago. Of course, over time they have faded, but are still well distinguished - here are depicted hunting scenes. From the outside, they may seem like ordinary children's art, but in fact they represent a tremendous historical value.

Not less interesting is the beaded temple, the path to it lies slightly off the road to the grottoes. Here was built a church in honor of St. Anastasia. In its arrangement, various 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 amazing - absolutely all decorative elements are made of beads by hand and very carefully.

Once in Kachi-Kalion, you certainly need to climb on the plateau itself. From the mountain there are truly magnificent views of the picturesque nature and nearby settlements. Vegetation in this place is represented by the most diverse varieties of the Crimean flora. Well, for adrenaline lovers, there is a camp for base jumpers who every day make their jumps down from the mountain range.

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