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

There are many unique historical sights on the territory of the Crimean peninsula. 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 attraction is located in Sevastopol, near the village of Ternovka. Buildings of this type are widespread in the Crimea. Many centuries ago, monks equipped dwellings inside the mountains. In a similar way, people defended themselves from enemies.

The ancient monastery of Chelter-Marmara is located on the Chelter-Kaya mountain, in the western part. There is a large Orthodox cross at the top of the rock. The name of the sight, consisting of two words, means the following: "chelter" (in Tatar) - a grate or sieve, "Marmara" - the name of a village that was located nearby in the past (according to historians).

There is no exact data on how this monastery came into being. Many experts believe that it was founded by icon-worshipers who belonged to one of the directions of Byzantine Christianity. It is believed that the structure was founded in the 9th century. This information suggests that the monastery appeared earlier than the official birth of ancient Orthodoxy, the beginning of which dates back to 1054.

According to the second version, the monastery was founded earlier, in the 8th 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 15th century. After it was destroyed by the Turkish conquerors. The main goal of the military was enrichment. During the campaigns, the Turks often plundered churches. The monastery was forgotten until 1886. Then the amazing structure attracted the attention of Berthier-Delagarde, a military engineer and architect born in Sevastopol.

The ancient monastery is surprising in its large size. Also, the monks reliably protected and fortified the monastery. Pieces of the defensive wall made of stone have survived to this day. The abode includes 5 levels, which are composed of natural caves and hand-made passages. The entire facility is split into 50 separate rooms. Unfortunately, not all of them have survived.

This part was used for domestic needs and consisted of small passages in the mountains. Also, in the first tier, the clergy equipped several tombs. They can be identified by their circular entrances. There were also cells (monks' dwelling) - compact rooms with low and small entrances.

This part of the monastery is considered the most exciting. From the first tier, a stone staircase leads to it. Here is a gallery decorated with stone columns. From this place, passages run into 11 separate rooms, the dimensions of which are larger in comparison with the premises of the first tier. Many of them formed naturally in the mountain.

Separately, it is worth noting a spacious hall with massive stone columns. The area of ​​the room is 150 meters. Here, the former inhabitants have equipped special containers to collect rainwater and use it in their daily activities. Such foresight helped to withstand possible sieges.

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

During research, scientists discovered two tombs. In front of the entrances to the tombs, there are inscriptions in ancient Greek. Unfortunately, over the course of several centuries, the letters have worn out badly, and it was not possible to decipher them. Each room has windows that the monks personally cut through to the mountain. The holes face the picturesque valley.

The last levels were hit hardest. You can get to the uppermost level of the monastery from the top of the cliff, through a special hole. However, you need to be as careful as possible here. Historians believe that a church was located in this part of the monastery, perhaps not in the only one. It should be noted that the cave monastery is a historical landmark and is protected by law.

Today the monastery is efficient. Monks settled in it and are active. In 2007, on the basis of the building, a monastery was organized in honor of the priest Savva the Sanctified. Nowadays, an amazing room inside the mountain is used as a church.

Famous icons were placed here:

• The Monk Sava the Sanctified;
• Saint Sava of Serbia, local parishioners declare that in 2009 they streamed myrrh.

It is worth noting that the amazing phenomenon was confirmed by representatives of the members of an authoritative commission. Parishioners and monks believe that such an amazing event is associated with the arrival of Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, who visited the Crimean diocese.The myrrh streaming of the icon began before the planned arrival of the aforementioned persons, and after the departure, the phenomenon gradually began to disappear.

Now the Chelter-Marmara brothers are being turned on by a few monks. Each of them is working hard to restore and improve the monastery. Monks make a huge contribution to the preservation of the historical value of 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 high in the mountain. Near the monastery, at a distance of 1 kilometer, there is a natural spring surrounded by a forest. It was illuminated in honor of the Monk Euthymius. The bathhouse was also equipped.

To see the famous historical monument with your own eyes, you can use public transport. The easiest way to get to it is from Sevastopol. You need to sit down at the stop "5th kilometer of Balaklava highway". Buses 40 and 109 depart from there. Exit in the village of Ternovka. Further, you will have to walk to the sights.

The minibus taxi leaves on schedule. You can also get there by private car using a map or GPS-navigator. Address - Crimea peninsula, city - Sevastopol, Balaklava region, Ternovka village. It is not very convenient to get to the monastery from Simferopol. Buses run from the city to the villages of Khmelnitskoe and Rodnoe. They leave from the Zapadnoye station.

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