Kachi-Kalion in Crimea: features and location

In ancient times, Crimea was aptly named the second Athos. Indeed, its historical and cultural value goes back to the time of the Byzantine Empire, when monasteries began to be built in the caves. This idea was developed by the early Christians of the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern countries. One of the most famous such monasteries was Kachi-Kalion.

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

For many centuries, the monastery in the grottoes was abandoned, and only in modern times, the efforts of the ministers of the Holy Dormition Bakhchisarai Monastery have reconstructed the holy place.

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

There were no caves between the second and third grotto, there was a relatively flat area on which, most likely, grapes were pressed. Experts calculated that the site's capabilities assumed the processing of up to 250 tons of berries in one season alone.

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

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

Kachi-Kalion is included in the list of historical monuments of federal significance. There are several versions explaining the name of this unusual monastery. According to one of them, it comes from the combination of the words "cruciform ship", according to the other - it was derived from the Kachi river, in the valley of which the monastery is located.

Scientists are more inclined towards the first version, since from a distance the massif does indeed resemble a ship, and on one of its sides the image of the main Christian symbol is clearly visible. It is possible that it is for this reason that sanctuaries arose here many years ago - people saw in such a peculiar appearance of the rock some omen, which indicates a quick victory of their faith.

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

In the 6th 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, as it was located right at the crossroads of several trade routes. It is obvious that making drinks was the main occupation of the local population, since during the excavations, over 120 tarapans were found - wineries carved in stone.

In territorial terms, the Kachi-Kalion area 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, however, quite comfortable. On the other hand, by car you can drive to your destination in just a quarter of an hour and be literally at the entrance. Each route has its own pros and cons, so you should choose an option, focusing only on your preferences and capabilities.

For those who do not like walking, but at the same time do not have their own car, there is a bus from the Bakhchisarai bus station. You should choose a route leading to the village of Sinapnoe, and take tickets to Preduschelny or Bashtanovka - the ascent to Kachi-Kalion is located approximately halfway 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 significantly complicates the way back.

Therefore, the most preferable the following options for visiting the cave monastery.

• Leave early in the morning and return at lunchtime.
• Go to Bakhchisarai in the morning and walk back, preferably before dark.
• Use the services of a taxi, which at any time will take you from Kachi-Kalion to the place where you stopped to rest. The road from Preduschelny to Bakhchisarai will cost about 130-150 rubles. If the dispatcher will announce 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-Kalion is small church of Hagia Sophia, built in a rather large piece of 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 there, candles can be lit, 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 a huge boulder is located in its place - it is believed that a tomb could be built in it. By the way, the temple got its name not in honor of any particular Sophia, but as a sign of Christ's wisdom, because Sophia is translated from Greek as “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 for a long time to protect and defend the monastery from external attacks, are still preserved. From the point of view of archeology, Kachi-Kalion is still not well understood, so scientists are not yet ready to answer the question of how exactly these defensive structures looked like.

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

A burial place was set up in one of the grottoes; an old cemetery is located not far from the entrance to the caves. In former times, the monks had a rather peculiar custom of burying their dead, which they borrowed from Old Athos. The body of a 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 pit. On an ancient burial near the first grotto there is a tombstone, which is a thousand years old!

Visitors to Kachi-Kalyon 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 lot of the first person. It is no secret that people inhabited this place long before the emergence of medieval winemaking communities.

Not far from the road that runs parallel to Kachi-Kalion, you can see the Kachinsky canopy. It is believed to have served as a camp for the Neanderthals. The dwelling of ancient hunters was located under a massive slab.

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

The beaded temple is of no less interest., the path to it lies slightly off the road to the grottoes. A church was built here in honor of St. Anastasia. When arranging it, a variety of methods of interior decoration were tried, but none of them fit, 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 extremely accurately.

Once in Kachi-Kalion, you definitely need to climb the plateau itself. The mountain offers truly magnificent views of the picturesque nature and the nearby settlements. 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 from the mountain range.

See below about the peculiarities of visiting Kachi-Kalion in Crimea.