What to see in the Holy Monastery of the Assumption in Crimea

There are lots of places to go in Crimea, so if you’re here, you’ll wonder what places to see in Crimea to spend a good holiday in unique and interesting places. Therefore, we have prepared a dedicated article on what to see in the Holy Monastery of the Assumption in Crimea.

Among the hard rocks faded and dried by the burning Crimean sun, covered with dense green vegetation, you can see a golden glow and a light. If you look better, you can see that in the gorge, right on the steep wall, there are white buildings and stone paths and stairs. A person with very sharp vision will also see domes covered with gold. This is an old monastery: the Monastery of the Holy Assumption, founded here by Byzantine monks over a thousand years ago.

The monastery, sheltered by a wild gorge, resembles the mountain monasteries of the Balkan peninsula, which, however, is not surprising, because according to one version it was founded by monks who abandoned their native lands after the Turkish invasion The landscape he met here looked a lot like his homeland.

There are other traditions associated with the Monastery of Santa Asunción. Then, according to one of them, a certain local pastor during his work saw the icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary right on the site of the future monastery. The pastor, of course, decided that it was better to carry the sacred image with him, but each time the icon appeared on the same rocks. Finally, the inhabitants realized that in the place where the image was found, a church should be built, and since the miracle occurred at the feast of the Assumption of the Virgin, it was called Asunción.

Another story tells us that a terrible snake attacked the locals. The people asked the Mother of God for intercession, and after the prayers they saw the light coming from a candle located in the rocks. When the residents cut a ladder there, they saw the image of the Virgin, a candle and a dead snake.

It is impossible to establish the exact date of the foundation of the sacred cloister; It is so reliably hidden in the unbearable layers of historical periods. However, it can be argued that the monastery appeared here at the latest in the 8th century. It was founded by the Byzantine monks when these lands were part of the Roman Empire. Most scholars agree that the monastery was abandoned for some reason in the fourteenth century, but in the following century it became operational again.

Miraculously survived during the Ottoman invasion in 1475, the Assumption Monastery becomes the residence of the metropolitan Gotf and Kaf. It is known that the monastery was to some extent under the auspices of the great princes of Moscow, and later of the kings. During the period of the Turkish conquest and the appearance of the Crimean Kanato, the Assumption Monastery served as the main fortress of the Orthodox Christians of the peninsula.

Where to go in Crimea

The cliffs of Crimea, covered with thick vegetation, where you can see the brightness and reflections of gold. If you look better, you can see that in the valley; right on the steep wall, there are white buildings and paved stone paths and their stairs. Those who go to see the domes covered with gold, can appreciate the old monastery, the Holy Monastery of the Assumption; founded here by the Byzantine monks over a thousand years ago. The abode, nestled in a wild canyon; the monasteries in the mountains reminiscent of the Balkan peninsula, which, although not surprising; since according to one version it was founded by the monks who fled their country after the Turkish invasion. The landscape looked a lot like his homeland.

There are other legends associated with the Holy Monastery of the Assumption. Thus, according to them, a local pastor during his work saw the icon of the Virgin in the place of the future monastery. The pastor, of course, decided that the best idea was to take the holy image home. Therefore, the residents assumed that in the place where the image had been discovered, the temple should be built, but a miracle occurred at the feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, so the Assumption was named.

Another story tells us that locals were attacked by fear snakes. The people asked for the intercession of the Mother of God, and after the prayers; They saw the candlelight placed on the rocks. When residents saw through the stairs; They observed the image of the Virgin, a candle and a dead snake.

To establish the exact date of the foundation of the Holy Monastery is impossible, since it is safely hidden in very thick layers of historical periods. However, it can be argued that the monastery arrived here in the 8th century. It was founded by the Byzantine monks, when the lands were part of the Roman empire. Most scientists agree that the monastery for some reason was abandoned during the fourteenth century, but in the following century, it was activated again.

Miraculously, having escaped during the Ottoman invasion in 1475; The Assumption Monastery became the residence of Gotfskih Kafskih and its metropolitan areas. It is known that the residence was to some degree under the auspices of the great Dukes of Moscow, and later kings. During the period of the Turkish conquest and the appearance of the Crimean Kanato. The monastery of the Assumption served as the main bastion of the Orthodox Christians of the peninsula.

After a successful war against the Russian Empire, the Ottomans, the Turkish vassal, Krymskoe Hanstvo; they were able to acquire independence, and Russia received a large number of fortresses from Crimea. However, the oppression of Christians by the Muslim population of the peninsula continued. As a result, local Christians have written a petition to the empress asking for resettlement within the empire, this request was granted.

In 1850, the monks returned once again to the Assumption Monastery, who were experiencing a period of prosperity. At the end of the 20th century the complex had five churches, several buildings for the monks; a guest house for pilgrims, a garden with fountains, the Gethsemane chapel, and in Simferopol it was the courtyard of the monastery.

During the red terror, the Holy Monastery was sacked and the monks were shot. During World War II, the hospital is in the territory. The expected revival of the Holy Monastery of the Assumption began after the fall of communism, in 1993; He became the abbot of the monks, who came from the Odessa Monastery in order to restore the place. At the time of the transfer of the monastery church; there was only the house and the abbot of the Church of the Assumption.

With a titanic effort, little by little the brothers and parishioners restored the holy place. A stone staircase leading to the upper floor of the monastery was restored, as was the construction of the bell tower; which soon began to play under the golden vaults. Now, as in other times; The monastery attracts pilgrims to worship and pray before the image of Our Lady “Three Hands” to see this holy and ancient place. Today, the restored monastery has three of the five churches that existed before the October Revolution; the house of the new construction with the cells and the Abad house equipped with a fountain.

What places to see in Crimea

To know more about the history of the Orthodox Church and to see other monuments of Cultural Heritage you can visit places like St. Basil’s Cathedral, Temple of Christ the Redeemer, Novodévichi Monastery, LAVRA Monastery.