New Athos is rich not only in natural beauties. This Abkhazian city has an ancient history, leaving behind many interesting sights.
From time immemorial, different peoples have lived on this beautiful piece of land. Greek monks built their monasteries here, important political activities and representatives of the royal family, many famous writers and poets rested here.
Defensive structures were built here with the help of the Byzantines already in the 7th century AD, but traces of ancient fortresses have been perfectly preserved to this day.
Rock paintings and traces of ancient sites were discovered in grottoes near the foothill villages of New Athos, which scientists attribute to the Paleolithic era, as well as inscriptions made in the Middle Ages. Guests really have something to see in New Athos.
What to see
One of the main attractions of New Athos is, of course, one of the largest and most interesting caves in the world, New Athos Cave (all details).
Tours take place here all year round, on a specially equipped underground train, which takes tourists through the underground halls.
The depth of the cave in some places reaches 180 meters.
Stalagmites and stalactites merge here into bizarre stalagmata.
Underground lakes, various mineral formations of the cave, skillful lighting in the background of music, and after the excursion leave a stunning impression for a long time.
This excursion is worth it 500 rubles, plus 50 rubles for permission to take photographs in the cave.
The road to the cave goes from the main square of the historical center of the city, the second road from the same square will lead you to another attraction - the New Athos Monastery.
Simono-Canonite Monastery
The monastery was built at an altitude of 75 meters above the sea, near Mount Athos.
The monks of Old Athos began to build it with subsidies from the royal family in 1875, into which a lot of effort and labor was invested.
The monastery had to be restored after it was plundered by the Turkish conquerors, but from 1880 it began to be actively completed and gradually became a major religious center on the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus, until the revolution of 1917.
On the territory of the monastery complex there are 6 temples, each of which is an example of church architecture and is a separate attraction.
The holy monastery rises majestically above the city and is visible from almost everywhere.
Path of Sinners
The road leading to the monastery is called the “path of sinners”.
It starts from the Church of the Intercession near the Primorsky Park. They say that If you go all this way on your knees, you can receive absolution.
But not everyone can decide to do this : The path is quite long, made of stones and leads up to the monastery, running along cypress trees.
Behind them lie well-tended citrus and olive orchards, which were planted here by the monks of the monastery and then spread along the entire coast.
New Athos waterfall
Hearing the phrase “New Athos waterfall”, unknowing people imagine first of all a natural attraction, but in reality it is an artificial structure.
In 1903, the monks of the New Athos Monastery built a hydroelectric power station on its territory, on the picturesque Psyrtskha River, providing the monastery with electricity.
The erected dam formed an arched slab more than 20 meters long, from which it falls from a height of 8.6 meters
Several outlets extend from it, intended for watering nearby gardens and operating the mill. The rooms located in the wall under the waterfall are used by the monks as refrigeration chambers.
Seaside Park
The seaside park of New Athos is located in the very center of the city. It was once built here by the monks of the New Athos monastery, back in the late 19th century. They dug 7 ponds up to 2 meters deep here, and the bottom of each of them was lined with stone tiles.
They were used for the fishing needs of the monks; they raised fish in them. And it was officially declared a Primorsky Park in 1910, when the royal family arrived in New Athos.
Now the main attraction of the park is black and white swans living in ponds.
The park is decorated with well-groomed flower beds and palm trees. It’s very nice to relax here in the summer, on cozy benches in the shade of weeping willows.
The famous sculpture “Eagle Tormenting a Snake” is located on the territory. You can find her near three large plane trees, near a pond with black swans.
The eagle's wingspan reaches 1.5 meters; vacationers love to take pictures near it.
Anakopia fortress
The Anakopia fortress is located on Iverskaya Mountain, which has been perfectly preserved to this day.
In ancient times, Anakopia was the capital of the Abkhazian kingdom. Significant trade routes passed here, which made the city the subject of intersection of interests of the Romans, Byzantines and Turks who ruled in the 8th-9th centuries.
Residents of the city were forced to strengthen their defenses, for which the Anakopia fortress was built. Loopholes ran along the entire defensive perimeter of the fortress, helping to fire back from the enemy in all directions.
The Byzantines began to build the main line of walls in the 7th century, concerned about the increasing frequency of Arab raids.
The fortress adequately defended the townspeople from the army of the Arab commander Suleiman ibn Isam, but the siege of the fortress by Murwan ibn Mohammed in 736 was able to break its defenses and the residents suffered enormous damage from this invasion.
You can climb Iverskaya Mountain on foot, but it will be much more interesting to take a horse ride to the fortress. Even people who are not experienced in horse riding can handle the climb.
Chapel of Our Lady of Iveron
On the top of Mount Iveron, the New Athos monks built a chapel, which today houses An ancient copy of the miraculous icon of the Iveron Mother of God.
It was believed that the Iveron Mother of God protected the fortress and the mountain, because for so many centuries no one was able to finally conquer this fortification.
Among the Arabs who besieged the fortress at the end of the 6th century, an epidemic of gastric disease suddenly broke out, killing 35 thousand conquerors in a few days.
In front of the icon in the chapel, a lamp is burning all the time, people bring their gifts, and the clergy conduct singing and services.
Next to the chapel there is an ancient spring where you can get water, which is considered healing.
Agtsa Grotto
Agtsa Grotto is a unique ancient monument and is located behind Iveron Mountain, near the northern side of the ancient village of Anukhva. The entrance to the grotto is located at an altitude of 30 meters, in a rock made of red limestone.
This is a seven-meter corridor with many rock paintings and inscriptions. It is noticeable that the walls of the grotto were leveled by hand, and the grotto itself served as a place for some kind of religious rituals.
It was discovered in 1940 by archaeologist L. Solovyov, who also found a nearby site of ancient inhabitants of the Paleolithic era.
Excavations were carried out that prove that the “Sanctuary of Fire” was once located on the territory of this village, and the ancient inhabitants already in those days revered the cult of the cave, characteristic of the population of mountainous regions.
Embankment
One of the most beautiful places in New Athos - this is his embankment, which looks more like a garden than a regular seaside boulevard. It is especially beautiful in August, when pomegranates bloom and the aroma of blooming magnolias fills the air.
The length of the embankment is about 6 km, width is 35 m. . Palm trees are planted closer to the shore; on the other side, the boulevard is decorated with well-groomed flower beds and beautiful shrubs. Exotic plants are found everywhere here. The embankment is thoroughly cleaned every morning.
All the main infrastructure is located behind a small decorative fence, and the embankment itself is intended more for walks among picturesque nature near the seashore, musicians play on benches, and couples in love relax.
In the evening, decorative lighting is turned on here, creating a romantic atmosphere of relaxation by the coast.
Detailed photo article about seaside holidays in the New Athos resort in Abkhazia in 2019. Attractions, beaches, map with GPS coordinates, where to stay, how to find accommodation, excursions, ways to get there on your own and other useful information for tourists.
New Athos – holiday at sea in Abkhazia
New Athos is a calm and cozy Black Sea resort town in Abkhazia. Historically, the area has been known since the 3rd century, when the city of Anakopia (Trachea) existed here. At the end of the 19th century, monks from Greek Athos formed a monastery here. This is where the modern name of the city came from – New Athos.
For those who like to combine lying on the beach with interesting forays around the surrounding area, New Athos is an excellent choice. There will definitely be something to see here. If you come to New Athos for a seaside holiday, you can spend 2-3 hours every day visiting one or two attractions within walking distance (enough for a week). The beach infrastructure here is rather poorly developed, so lovers of holidays exclusively on the beach should choose or consider other resorts in Abkhazia.
Map of New Athos (Abkhazia)
New Athos on the map of Abkhazia:
The map is divided into layers that can be disabled/enabled in the settings. After clicking on the mark, the GPS coordinates of the selected object will be displayed.
Sights of New Athos
So, let’s list what you can see in New Athos. All attractions are marked on the map in the corresponding section of this article.
- Description: New Athos Cave is the most popular attraction not only of New Athos, but throughout Abkhazia. A large karst cave with ponds, which you need to travel to by underground metro.
- Coordinates GPS : 43.09065, 40.81001
- Working hours: Summer – daily, seven days a week from 9.00 to 19.00. Autumn - spring - Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday from 10.00 to 18.00. The tour lasts 1.5 hours.
- Ticket price: Adults and children over 8 years old - 500 rubles, children under 8 years old - free. Photography - 50 rub.
✔ Anakopia fortress on Iveron Mountain
- Description: The ruins of the medieval fortress of Anakopia rise above New Athos on Mount Iveron at an altitude of 344 m. There is an artificial spring of water on the territory. There is an observation deck on the tower. The climb up the mountain is quite tiring; it is better to follow an organized path. With us, my grandmother tried to take a shortcut along steep slopes and injured her leg (by the way, don’t forget before traveling to Abkhazia). The ascent takes about an hour. In the hot season, it is better to go in the morning or in the evening.
- Coordinates GPS : 43.09459, 40.80807
- Ticket price: Entrance - 150 rub. Parking - 100 rub.
✔Stalin's Dacha
- Description: There are only a few rooms in the house. It felt like someone was even spending the night in the bedroom. Of all Stalin’s dachas in Abkhazia that are allowed for tourists to see, this is the only one we weren’t given a tour of. I liked it the least.
- Coordinates GPS : 43.08872, 40.82626
- Ticket price: 100 rub., access by car – 50 rub./person.
Stalin's Dacha - Description: The monastery was founded in the name of Simon the Canaanite in 1875 by monks from Athos (Greece). Hence the current name of the city - New Athos.
- Coordinates GPS : 43.08816, 40.82087
- Ticket price: for free.
- Description: The relics of the Apostle Simon Kakanita rest in the ancient church.
- Coordinates GPS : 43.09051, 40.8163
- Description: A hydroelectric power station and a waterfall were created in 1882 to provide water to the inhabitants of the monastery.
- Coordinates GPS : 43.09104, 40.81641
- Description: A beautiful half-abandoned railway station with a pavilion above the lake of the same name Psyrtskha.
- Coordinates GPS : 43.09189, 40.81575
✔
- Description: A picturesque walking trail along the Psyrtskha River with iconic places of stay of the Apostle Simon the Canaanite.
- Coordinates GPS : 43.09216, 40.81424
- Ticket price: ?
- Description: The seaside park in New Athos is located across the road from the sea, notable for its pond and swans.
- Coordinates GPS : 43.08482, 40.81533
✔
- Description: A memorial museum dedicated to the memory of those killed in the Georgian-Abkhazian war.
- Coordinates GPS : 43.0847, 40.8125
- Working hours: ?
- Ticket price: for free.
✔Waterfall in the Armenian Gorge (near Iverskaya Mountain)
- Description: A small picturesque natural waterfall. If you look at the waterfall, to the left of it you can climb the path and find a small artificial cave.
- Coordinates GPS : 43.09157, 40.79942
✔
- Description: - a natural attraction to the west of New Athos. It consists of depressions in the rock in the riverbed, which are shaped like three containers, which is where the name comes from. A picturesque place, nearby there is a canyon (the so-called “green”), along which you can take a walk. Attention - slippery!!!
- Coordinates GPS : 43.1009, 40.804708
- Ticket price: 100 rub.
⚠ If you come to New Athos from other resorts of Abkhazia by public transport on one day, then for sightseeing you can use such a sequential route: Seaside Park – New Athos Monastery – Temple of Simon the Canaanite – artificial waterfall – Psyrtskha station – grottoes of Simon the Canaanite – New Athos Cave.
If you come by car, you can also capture the “Three Cauldrons”, the Anakopia fortress on Iverskaya Mountain and Stalin’s Dacha (from which you can easily get to the New Athos Monastery directly, avoiding extortions from local entrepreneurs and walking up the mountain, saving energy and time and money).
Excursions to New Athos
From other resorts in Abkhazia
✔Group . Excursions are sold everywhere in the resort area. Cost for adults and children – 400 rubles. + ticket to New Athos Cave 500 rub. (optional).
✔ Individual , that is, with a personal guide in a car. The cost of such an excursion will cost around 3,500 rubles. for a group of tourists (1-3 people) or 900 rubles. per person (if the group is more than 3 people). You can see the description.
From Sochi (Adler)
✔Group . You can go to New Athos from Sochi (Adler) for one day on a group tour. Ask for prices and programs at tourist kiosks.
✔Individual . Cost – from 2400 rub. per person depending on the program and the number of people (example).
Excursions around Abkhazia from New Athos
From New Athos you can travel by train.
✔Group . Public excursions are sold in crowded tourist areas.
✔Individual . Excursions with a personal guide in his personal vehicle (usually an SUV). Convenient if you are relaxing with a group/family of 3-4 people. You can order on specialized websites or based on recommendations from friends. Examples are presented below.
Where to stay
Residential areas can be divided into three zones:
Housing areas in New Athos on the map ✔Residential area , where the main (most populated) part of the city is located - east of the historical part of New Athos. There are cafes, a market, shops, and a railway station. Housing is represented by numerous boarding houses, hotels and guest houses of various levels in the private sector. On the map at the beginning of the article the area is indicated in blue.
The best offers for hotels and guest houses in a residential area:
- Guest house “Wonderful Garden” – rating 9,2 out of 10. Modern, clean guest house. The rooms have a private bathroom, free internet (weak), air conditioning, TV, refrigerator, hairdryer, kettle. The sea is a 2-minute walk away. There is a restaurant on site.
- Guest House "Athos" – rating 8,5 out of 10. New guest house. The rooms have fast, free internet, air conditioning, TV, kettle. Private bathroom with hot water. The sea is across the road.
The route through the residential area of New Athos ✔Historical part the city where the main attractions of New Athos are located. Housing is represented by hotels and small private sector. Guest houses are mainly located on a hill, so returning from the beach every day will not be pleasant for everyone. There are cafes and restaurants in the area. On the map at the beginning of the article the area is marked in red.
The best housing offers in the historical part:
- Guest house "Riviera" – rating 8,9 out of 10. New guest house with friendly owners. The rooms have free internet, air conditioning, TV, kettle. Walking distance to the sights of New Athos.
- Hotel Afon – rating 8,8 out of 10. New hotel with spacious, clean rooms, pleasant service. Located near the sea. The rooms have free internet, air conditioning, TV, hairdryer. Free private parking is available on site.
✔Armenian Gorge (area of Topchana street) – west of the historical part. Represents a small private sector. On the map of New Athos at the beginning of the article, the area is indicated in yellow.
The best housing offers in the Armenian Gorge:
- Guest house "Gladiator" – rating 9,3 out of 10. Guest house on the seashore with responsive owners. The rooms are clean, have a kettle and air conditioning. Shared bathroom with hot water, toilet and kitchen. In the courtyard there is a dining area, barbecue and private parking. Nearby there is a cafe and a shop.
How to find housing
Housing in New Athos, as in other places in Abkhazia, can be found in the following ways:
- Search on site.
- Search in advance via contacts from friends.
- Search via communities on social networks.
- Search and guaranteed booking through specialized sites: booking.com/novyj-afon (hotels and guest houses), airbnb (guest houses and private sector).
- As part of the tour– you can view and book options on the websites, or.
Examples of housing:
Sea and beaches of New Athos
The resort of New Athos washes the Black Sea. If there is no storm, then the sea in New Athos is transparent and clean. In the mornings you can spot dolphins.
The beaches are pebble. Going into the water and sunbathing on pebbles is not a pleasant pleasure, so it is advisable to stock up on special rubber shoes and thick mats.
In general, all the beaches of New Athos are relatively clean and not crowded with vacationers. But the infrastructure is poorly developed. There are locker rooms and showers in some places, but their condition leaves much to be desired. Sun loungers and umbrellas can be found near large hotels (boarding houses). During the season, there are cafes on the shore in some places.
✔ Beaches to the east from the historical district (from the side) are the most popular, as they are located in a residential area of the city. The entire coastline is divided by breakwaters. The beaches are pebble.
✔ Beaches in the historical area . The beaches of the historical part of the city are pebbly with small infrastructure in the form of changing rooms and showers. Parking for cars is paid - they ask for 150 rubles.
Beach view of the historic district 
✔ Beaches to the west from the historical area (from Gagra, Gudauta). The sand and pebble beaches of New Athos are located here: pebbles at the water's edge, and sand in the sea.
How to get to New Athos
There are several options to get to New Athos on your own from other regions of Abkhazia:
- By personal car . The main paved road in Abkhazia leads from Sukhum, Gagra, Gudauta and other resorts to New Athos.
- By public transport . Minibuses run regularly from (≈150 rubles), Gagra (≈120 rubles), Sukhum (≈50 rubles) and other resorts in Abkhazia.
- By taxi . As an example, the cost of a trip from Gagra to New Athos will cost 1200-1300 rubles.
Details for help:
✔ Tinkoff map 4377 7237 4260 2448 Samorosenko Konstantin Igorevich (Elisha’s dad)
✔ Yandex money 410012258423394 Samorosenko Konstantin Igorevich (Elisha’s dad)
Abkhazia is rich in attractions, and the small Abkhaz town of New Athos, which in past times was called Anakopia, is no exception.
New Athos is a city with an ancient history, one of the most famous resorts in Abkhazia. This small town is located in a small bay, at the foot of the Athos and Iverskaya mountains, 21 km from the capital of Abkhazia - Sukhumi.
The most picturesque nature, mild climate, abundance of attractions attracts a huge number of tourists here. And indeed, there is something to visit here: historical and cultural monuments, ancient monasteries and temples.
Moreover, New Athos is recognized as a land of shrines due to the huge number of holy religious places.
Arriving in New Athos, you can discover something new every day.
New Athos Cave
It is located deep underground, its internal volume is more than 1 million cubic meters. m. For a long time nothing was known about the cave; it was discovered only in 1961. Since 1975, tourists have been allowed into the cave. The length of the tourist route is 2 km. Tours take place on small trains (an underground railway line was opened here in 1975), which depart every 20 minutes into the bottomless depths of the cave. The interior landscape of the New Athos cave is decorated with stalagmites and stalactites. The tourist route runs through numerous halls: “Anakopia”, “Nartaa”, “Moscow”, “Apsny” - this is just a small list of them. In total, there are 11 halls in the New Athos Cave. It is always cool inside the cave; the temperature never rises above 11 degrees.
Three boilers
How to get there: Address: Gudauta district, Abkhazia
GPS coordinates: Latitude 43.094557 / Longitude 40.807208
Not far from the famous New Athos cave, in the bed of a mountain river, there is a picturesque place where there are three lakes - “three cauldrons”. This name arose due to the similarity of these small natural reservoirs with boilers. Despite their small size, the reservoirs are quite deep and cold (13-14 degrees). The reservoirs are karst pits with a smooth, mirror-like surface.
Sculpture "Golden Fleece"
How to get there: on foot
At the entrance to the New Athos cave there is a sculpture “Golden Fleece”, which has a symbolic meaning. The Golden Fleece is a sign of prosperity; it was for it that, according to ancient legend, the Argonauts swam. The sculpture itself reflects the myth of a sister and brother who went on a long journey on a golden ram. There is a legend that whoever touches the sculpture will have good luck and untold wealth in the near future. “The Golden Fleece is very popular among tourists.
Waterfall in the center of New Athos
In the very center of the city there is an amazingly beautiful waterfall.
Museum of the Abkhazian Kingdom
How to get there: GPS coordinates for the navigator: Latitude 43°5’26” / Longitude 40°48’59”
A small local history museum, which consists of one room. The exhibition includes paleontological and archaeological finds telling about the culture of the Abkhazians. Here you can get a lot of information about the emergence of the Abkhaz state. The museum is interesting because in the center of the hall there is a restored Abkhazian estate and a boat that was used to go to sea in the 19th century. The museum building is located in the national reserve of New Athos - “Anakopia” near an artificial waterfall.
Iverskaya Mountain
Iveron Mountain is famous for the Anakopia fortress, the ruins of which are located on its top.
How to get there: GPS coordinates: Latitude 43°5’36” / Longitude 40°48’26”
In the distant past, the fortress served as an ancient fortification. The Anakopia inexhaustible well is another miracle of the mysterious fortress. Tradition says that it was here, on Mount Iverskaya, that the miraculous icon of the Mother of God of Anakopia appeared. Since ancient times, the Iveron Mountain has been considered the Mountain of the Virgin Mary, so the chapel of the Iveron Mother of God was erected here. A huge number of legends and traditions are associated with this place. From the top of the mountain there is a fabulous view of the sea coast. Iverskaya Mountain is not high, the maximum height is about 300 meters. The mountain contains many caves in its depths, one of which is the famous New Athos Cave.
Anakopia fortress
The Anakopia fortress is an ancient fortification of the city of Anakopia that once existed here; the building was erected in the 7th century on Iveron Mountain. In Greek style, the fortress is called a “trachea”. This ancient structure is quite well preserved - fragments of walls, towers, and arched entrance gates remain. Archaeological excavations were carried out on the territory of the Anakopia fortress, during which ancient weapons were found: spears, shields, swords. Another attraction of the fortress is the inexhaustible spring, where water flows through a natural channel. The Anakopia fortress was restored in 2008, as a result of which the watchtower and the road leading to it were restored.
Place of execution of the Apostle Simon the Canonite
In the Anakopia National Park there is a holy place revered by Orthodox people - this is the cell of St. Simon the Canaanite, located in a cave near the Psyrtskha River. During his lifetime, Simon healed ailments with the touch of his hands, lived in prayer, protected people, and baptized local residents. Simon the Canaanite was martyred. During the persecution of Christians, the Roman pagans executed the holy martyr alive, depriving him of his head. The Grotto of St. Canaanite is visited by pilgrims, and this place is also popular among tourists. Near the grotto there is the so-called place of execution of St. Canaanite. It’s as if a large stone has frozen here, containing the imprint of the foot of the holy martyr Simon. According to legend, it was at this place that the Saint was brutally killed.
New Athos waterfall
An artificial waterfall adorns the landscape of New Athos. The waterfall is located in the very center of the city. It was erected by monks in the 19th century in order to protect against floods caused by the flood of the Psyrtskhi River. The height of the New Athos waterfall is more than 9 meters. These places were visited by Emperor Alexander III, as evidenced by a sign installed on the observation deck. The picturesque place, created by human hands, harmoniously combines with the surrounding nature and delights the residents and guests of New Athos.
Psyrtskha
The mountain river Psyrtskha, which translated from the Abkhaz language means “fir spring,” flows along the slopes of the New Athos mountains and flows into the Black Sea. This picturesque river is revered by the Orthodox world, since the Holy Apostle Canaanite lived on its bank. Psyrtskha is often visited by pilgrims, and the waters of the river are considered sacred. There are rope bridges across the river, and cafes have been built along its banks where tourists can relax and have a snack.
Rock Garden
On the banks of the Psyrtskha River there is an unusual garden - a rock garden. It is a kind of path, namely stone steps that lead up the mountain. In the past, Saint Simon the Canaanite walked along these steps; now believers climb them to visit the cell of the Great Saint and pray. From the upper steps you can see a stunning view of the river; from here you can clearly see its transparent bottom. And between the stones grow rare and outlandish plants.
Akhun Tower
How to get there: GPS coordinates: Latitude 43°33’1.2″ / Longitude 39°50’36.2
Akhun Tower is located quite high. It rises more than 600 meters above sea level. The height of the building itself is just over 30 meters. The tower offers a stunning view of the sea and surrounding area. Akhun Tower is the most visited place by tourists. In its appearance, it resembles an old medieval castle, despite the fact that it was built not so long ago, in 1936.
Dranda Church of the Assumption of the Mother of God
How to get there: Address: Gulripsha district, Abkhazia
Coordinates: 42.874103, 41.162322
The Dranda Church of the Dormition of the Mother of God is considered one of the most ancient churches in Abkhazia. It was built back in the 6th century. Later, the temple was destroyed and was restored by the monks, who founded a monastery in it. There was a school at the monastery, workshops and forges, a bookstore and printing house, a hospital and a hotel were attached to it. After the revolution, the cathedral was closed. During the restoration work, the temple was restored to its original appearance.
Inside the temple, ancient frescoes and paintings, images of saints have been partially preserved.
Agtsa Grotto
How to get there: Address: New Athos, Abkhazia
GPS coordinates: Latitude 43.085125 / Longitude 40.826125
In the northwestern side of New Athos there is the Agtsa Grotto - a natural corridor 7 meters long and 2.5 meters high. “Agtsa” translated from the Abkhaz language means cliff. And indeed, the grotto is located on a high rock. This place was discovered by archaeologists in 1940. Mysterious rock paintings depicting a human hand holding a cross were discovered in the Agtsa Grotto. In this regard, scientists have come to the conclusion that religious rites were performed in this place in the distant past. Perhaps the grotto served as a temple in ancient times. The Agtsa Grotto has not yet been fully explored.
Inexhaustible Well
The address of the inexhaustible well is the New Athos Anakopia fortress. The well is not that deep, but its dimensions are amazing (5 m wide and 3.5 m long). The spring is replenished from the depths of the Iveron Mountain. The water of the source is considered healing, it is illuminated. Near the source there is a temple of the Blessed Virgin Mary. For more than 80 years, masses of tourists have been flocking here to see the miracle of nature and drink the miraculous water.
Stalin's dacha in New Athos
How to get there: There are 2 entrances to the territory. First, between the center of Athos and the station you can see a fence and a checkpoint with security and a ticket office. Or you can enter the site from the Panteleimonovsky Monastery.
Coordinates: 43°5’18″N 40°49’35″E
After Stalin's death, this building was a government residence, and now a museum is opened here. The museum building is located near the New Athos Monastery. The house is surrounded by a wonderful landscape; there is a gorgeous park with eucalyptus groves. The interior of the dacha is striking in its luxury; the furnishings of the rooms have not changed since the times of I.V. Stalin; many pieces of furniture from those times have been preserved. The walls of the building are made of different types of wood. You can visit Stalin's dacha only as part of an excursion group. Excursions are held regularly.
New Athos Monastery
How to get there: GPS coordinates: Latitude 43°5’16” / Longitude 40°49’16”
The New Athos Monastery is located at the foot of Mount New Athos - it is a grandiose complex consisting of six temples, the main one of which can accommodate up to 3,000 people. The interior decoration of the cathedrals is decorated with icon paintings by Palekh masters. This is a significant religious center; thousands of Orthodox believers flock here. Tsar Alexander III visited the monastery in 1888; he presented the monastery with luxurious gifts - musical chimes and a steam locomotive for the monastery railway operating at that time. After the revolution, the monastery was closed, warehouses were located in it, later there was a tourist base, and during the Great Patriotic War a hospital was opened within the walls of the monastery. Restoration work began in 1994 and continues to this day. Nowadays it is a functioning monastery, services are held there, and a church choir is organized.
Sculpture "Mermaid"
In New Athos there is an unusual sculpture in the recess of the rock - “Mermaid. Streams of the New Athos Falls flow down the statue. The “mermaid” hides in them and then appears again. The sculpture is popular among tourists who enjoy trying to photograph the mysterious Mermaid hiding in the waters.
Restaurant "Griffin"
The Griffin restaurant occupies the first floor of the hotel of the same name. The restaurant serves dishes of Georgian and European cuisine, the menu is updated several times a day. The restaurant's interior is designed in simple colors with subtle national notes. In this cozy, hospitable place you can not only have lunch, but also listen to live music. Not only tourists, but also city residents love to visit the “Grifon” restaurant, because the most delicious dishes are prepared here.
Seaside Park
In the center of New Athos is the Seaside Park. It was founded by the same monks who were involved in the construction of the New Athos Monastery. The official opening took place in 1910, timed to coincide with the arrival of the royal family. There are picturesque ponds with clear water, the main inhabitants of which are swans, plaster sculptures, and flower beds. The park is planted with cypresses, cedars, willows, and magnolias. On the outskirts of the park, a chapel was built in honor of the stay of Emperor Alexander III in this place, who arrived for the ceremony of illuminating the throne of the New Athos Monastery. Beautiful nature, wonderful landscapes, walking alleys make the park a favorite place for walks for both citizens and city guests.
How to get there: Address: New Athos, Abkhazia
Coordinates: Latitude 43.094109 / Longitude 40.815235
Simon the Canaanite is one of the twelve apostles of Christ. He settled in a cave not far from the Psyrtskhi River, where he treated people and preached the Christian faith among the population. The Saint descended into his cell by rope. Simon the Canaanite was executed, but, according to believers, he is invisibly present in the small grotto cell where he spent his last years, and provides his gracious help to everyone who comes here. Hundreds of pilgrims flock here every year. The Grotto of Canaanite is equipped in the form of a church, a cross is carved on the walls, and the faces of saints are laid out from the mosaic. At the beginning of 2000, the grotto was restored, and nowadays excursions are organized here.
Temple of Simon the Canaanite
The Temple of Simon the Canaanite is a historical monument of ancient architecture (VI – VIII centuries), located at the New Athos Falls. It was erected on the relics of St. Simon, who was brutally executed by the persecutors of the Christian faith. The cathedral is a small church built of white stone. The temple preserves two inscriptions in Greek dating back to the Middle Ages. The walls are painted by master icon painters. The temple is still in operation today and services are held here.
Day 10. New Athos from the sky and from the ground 08/08/17 VTR
Monastic gorge - New Athos.
Mileage 110 km.
The next day of our stay on Abkhazian soil gave us new, bright and such diverse impressions! We saw all the sights of New Athos and took hundreds of photos. We went underground. We rose to the sky. We touched history. And they safely avoided meeting the president! What is hidden behind these metaphors? I'll tell you now. And I'll show you.
The main political event of the day - Russian President V.V. visited Abkhazia. Putin.
For some reason he often began to fly after us. Last year we were in Belarusian Minsk, and Vladimir Vladimirovich rushed there. Today we are in Abkhazia, and he is right there! Such attention is nice, but what if it’s not just a coincidence?
We expected some heightened security measures in the small republic, but we didn’t notice anything. Except that yesterday a couple of potholes were paved over on the main square of Pitsunda. In general, I assumed that Putin would go to Sukhum, where he would meet with local president Raul Khadzhimba. All the police will be gathered there. Therefore, I decided not to go to Sukhum for now. And visit the closer New Athos. After Ritsa, this is the second most visited place by tourists in Abkhazia.
Because Our friends were already in the New Athos Monastery and in the Anakopia Cave, so we went there without them. Unrelated to anything, we quickly had breakfast in the morning, swam and got ready for the road.
As already mentioned, the main route to the Monasheskoye Gorge lay through the center of Pitsunda and further along the coast to a dead end. But I saw on the map that there is a more direct road through the mountains to the Sukhumi highway. When I asked the hostess about this, she just winced. She said that the road there is bad, and they use it only in the spring, when the river flowing through the gorge overflows so much that it is impossible to cross it by car. In the summer, we crossed this stream every day quite calmly, more than once.
But if there is a road, and there is our almost “jeep” Qashqai, then why not drive through? In the morning, having rolled out of the gate, we turned not to the right as usual, but to the left and went to the local mountains! Only at the beginning, where there were still remnants of broken asphalt, it was a little difficult to drive, but then a completely normal dirt road began, along which local horsemen are racing with all their might in VAZ classics. It would be a bit of a stretch to call the road a mountain road. It simply flowed from one hill to another.
Not far from the pass, I found a convenient place to take some beautiful photographs of our car against the backdrop of the Abkhazian mountains. At this time, the wife managed to pick up some blackberries on the roadside bushes. All the wild hills in the area were covered with thickets of this thorny bush. Those who wished could independently pick any number of ripe, juicy berries.
After the pass the road went down. Gravel and small stones rustled unpleasantly under the wheels. But within ten minutes we drove out onto the asphalt of the Sukhumi highway, noticing the turn-off point in order to return back the same way. How thoughtful this was! The road through the mountains turned out to be not at all as bad as the locals described it. But if you go towards Gudauta, then almost 20 kilometers are cut off!
There were still about forty kilometers to New Athos, which we covered in an hour. We probably need to make a small digression and talk about Abkhaz roads. The entire road network of Abkhazia is based on one main highway, which stretches across the entire country from Gagra in the north to the Gali region in the south. This is the Sukhumi-Abzhuyskoe highway. From the highway there are turns either to the sea or to the mountains. The asphalt is of pretty decent quality. But the markings are present sporadically. We didn't see any new asphalt or even road cars. Another feature of the local roads are cows that walk completely freely along the roadway. If the cow wants to, she can lie down in the middle of the highway, where the shadow of the tree falls. Cows are something! They roam throughout Abkhazia restlessly. It is not clear how their owners monitor them and whether they are milked, because cows can be seen on the road at any time of the day (such encounters are especially dangerous at night).
There is a Russian military base in Gudauta. Driving along the railway, which runs parallel to the Sukhumi highway, we could observe how military equipment was unloaded.
Here comes New Athos! Like all major Abkhaz cities, it is located on the seashore, occupying a narrow strip of land between water and mountains. Following the navigator's instructions, we get to the entrance to the cave. It’s difficult to find a free parking space nearby, so we drive a little further and pull into a paid parking lot. One hundred and fifty rubles seems like a small price to pay for a place in the shade of an old eucalyptus tree.
Taking windbreakers, we go to the entrance to the cave. There's a crowd of people there. Sightseeing buses arrive constantly. But the ticket office is located in the next room, through which tourists exit. They are allowed into the cave according to a schedule. Now tickets are on sale at 11-30. We will have to wait more than an hour, but nothing can be done. For two adults and a schoolchild we give 1,500 rubles. We return to the car. Vova feels bad again. The temperature has risen. They gave me Nurofen and put me to sleep.
Even from our parking spot there is a magnificent view of the New Athos Monastery. The shine of its domes is visible, it seems, from anywhere.
About 20 minutes before the appointed time we wake up Vova and go to the entrance. There's already a queue there. We started launching earlier, because... There are only two turnstiles at the entrance - you put your ticket in and go through. And behind the turnstiles is a real platform with an underground train.
The fact is that the cave, located in the depths of the Anakopia Mountain, has a natural entrance from the surface in the form of a well. It was discovered not so long ago, about 50 years ago, by local resident Givi Smyr, who descended on a rope into a bottomless hole. A special branch of the underground railway was laid for tourists. Like the metro. A train consisting of five or six closed trailers. A little smaller than a real metro. It takes about five minutes to drive through the tunnel, and everyone comes out onto the station platform, where the tour of the cave begins.
Up to a hundred people are brought in at the same time, who then go with a guide along the tourist route. There are a couple more accompanying people in the group, who, without standing out in any way, keep order - so that they don’t touch anything with their hands, don’t lag behind, and don’t get ahead of themselves.
Along the entire route there is a concrete path with fencing for tourists. There are five or six stops at special viewing platforms. The cave is large, if not huge! Some halls are 20 meters high. The photographs, of course, don’t turn out well, God knows what, but they are still our own.
The route was laid out very competently. If at first you are only amazed by the huge grottoes, where there is nothing remarkable except lakes or clayey mud at the bottom. Then further in the halls more and more different formations appear - stalactites, stalagmites, stalagnates. At the end, when it seems you won’t be surprised by anything, you suddenly see a huge frozen stone waterfall. The combination of the openwork of the formation with its enormous size is impressive. How many thousands of years did it take to form?
This is not our first time underground. We saw both our Kungur Ice Cave and the Moravian Punkva Cave, and now we have passed the New Athos Cave, but it is impossible to say which of them is more interesting. Each one has some zest. In Novoafonskaya, this is, of course, its huge volumes, the size of the sinter formations and the delivery of tourists back and forth by train.
Yes, after completing the entire route, we again went to the platform, where a familiar train was already waiting for us. But this platform was different, not the one we arrived at, but deeper. Driving to the surface, we rushed past the first one.
It's quite cool in the cave. Although the temperature of 12-14 degrees is considered high for underground passages, it is very chilly without outer clothing. We prudently took windbreakers with us, and people in T-shirts and T-shirts were openly shivering from the cold.
And one more life hack. An uncle sits at the entrance to the cave and sells permission for photography inside the cave for 50 rubles. You can safely ignore it, because in the cave no one controls it at all. And the drab receipts of some individual entrepreneur against the backdrop of the beautiful cave entrance tickets printed in the printing house generally raise doubts about the legality of such a sale of permits.
And it's hot outside! To quench our thirst, we sampled two bottles of juice - tangerine (similar in color to carrot) and feijoa (more like gooseberry). We ate a sandwich and moved on. And our next goal is at the very top of the Anakopia Mountain, inside which we just walked. And this attraction is called the Anakopia Fortress.
We made half the way up the mountain by car. We reached a small parking lot, but all the spaces were occupied. The local parking attendant quickly resolved the situation and found a space for us, asking a taxi driver to drive off. It’s not a pity to pay 100 rubles for such a service.
Right there, at the beginning of the walking path to the mountain, there is a booth - entrance to the fortress territory is paid. Adult tickets are 200, school tickets are 100 rubles. We go further up the mountain on our own two feet. The stone-lined path winds in a serpentine pattern. The path is not at all easy and not close. It took us about an hour to reach the very top of the mountain. And this is 344 meters above sea level!
As we climbed, we first saw the lower belt of defensive fortifications with a dilapidated corner tower. Once upon a time, the capital of the Abkhazian kingdom was located here. And the fortifications on the top of the mountain were the most powerful on the Black Sea coast. More than once foreign conquerors broke their teeth on these stones. Now the whole mountain is overgrown with trees. But the remains of formidable walls give the impression of a once large fortified city.
We go higher and higher - and now we are already at the very top, which is crowned by the remains of a once formidable citadel. The main tower of the fortress has been restored, and its top platform has an excellent observation deck. We will go up there again, but for now we will make a stop at the Anakopia inexhaustible well.
In general, the very location of the water source on the top of the mountain raises questions, and the fact that it is inexhaustible is even more strange. But you can draw water from it and drink it, which is what we did. So, if you go to Mount Anacopia, don’t skimp on water; at the top you can easily replenish your supplies.
From the top of the mountain there is a magnificent view of the entire New Athos. The domes of the monastery are golden, the sea is blue, the breeze is blowing - beauty. But we will rise, of course, even higher - to the upper platform of the tower. That's where the royal look comes from! Mamzyshkha was not standing nearby.
Again, like after visiting Malaya Ritsa, you get the feeling that you have escaped the tourist crowd and were able to get to where many are not allowed to go. No, here, on the top of the Anakopia Mountain, it is not deserted, but not noisy either. A dozen or two visitors scattered around the ruins, almost unnoticed.
For those who like to take a bird's eye view of the area, I definitely recommend the observation deck on the tower of the Anakopia fortress. The view is gorgeous! You can say that you are surrounded by the quintessence of all of Abkhazia!
The way back is much easier and faster. Still going downhill. Half an hour without stopping, and we are near our car.
These adventures tired us out. There was even a thought to give up everything and go home to rest. But I remembered the old parable about how you don’t finish something, and then you won’t be able to come back and you’ll regret it. Therefore, gritting our teeth, we decide to continue our program. Moreover, despite the large number of points in it, they are all located nearby.
Having left the mountain, we set off towards the Psyrtskha gorge. Having driven through the tunnel, we find ourselves in a half-empty paid parking lot. Vova was left to sleep in an open car under the supervision of a parking attendant.
Through the bridge we approach the railway stopping area with a rather interesting pavilion. And the place is impressive too. There are high mountains on both sides. The railway emerges from the tunnel, only to disappear under the mountain again after 200 meters. A stopping area is located in this space. If you cross the path, then from there you can walk along the gorge to the cell where Simon the Canaanite (Zealot) lived, one of the twelve apostles-disciples of Jesus Christ. But there is a hiking trail along the gorge, and there is an entrance fee. We hesitated - do we need to pay 500 rubles to see a small cave? Let's go in the opposite direction.
One side of the pavilion hangs over a small reservoir. Once upon a time, people used to ride on catamarans on this man-made lake. But now everything is overgrown with algae. At the end of the 19th century they wanted to build a hydroelectric power station here. They built a concrete dam 7-8 meters high. So they abandoned it. The dam still stands. And the water flows over its upper edge, forming an artificial waterfall, which has already become a landmark of New Athos. Below the waterfall there are parks with a lot of people walking around idly.
There is also a temple of Simon the Canaanite. The temple has been closed for restoration for many, many years. Can only be viewed from the outside. The archaeological museum nearby has opened its doors for those interested. But we didn’t want to, but returned to the car. They took a couple of bottles and filled them with water from a spring that flows down the mountain.
Now it’s the turn of the New Athos monastery itself. We enter the coordinates into the navigator, and it obediently leads us to the walls of the monastery. Many tourists arrive on buses and walk up the long stairs past the souvenir stands. The navigator led us onto a narrow winding path that rose straight to the monastery site. Due to the evening, there were already free parking spaces. But the number of people did not decrease. The monastery is one of the main attractions of Abkhazia. Tourists are brought here from all over by buses and livestock trucks.
The children were already tired and did not come with us, but my wife and I decided to visit this temple. At the entrance, women are given skirts, aprons and headscarves. Restoration work in the monastery continues gradually. But from the outside it now looks very decent. Much better than from the inside. We also went to the main temple. A service was taking place there, and only a small space was fenced off with ribbons for idle onlookers. We stomped around the door and on our way out.
Then we walked a little more along the parapet, from which there is a good view of the seaside part of New Athos and an equally magnificent view of Mount Anakopia on the opposite side. The top of the mountain is crowned by a tower. It's nice to know that we were there today!
Thus, we visited all the main attractions of New Athos. You can safely go towards home.
They decided to return along the same road, through the mountains, directly, without stopping at Pitsunda. From the Sukhumi highway, the entrance to the pass is steeper, and the road has pebbles and gravel, which is not very comfortable to drive on. But they still climbed up. We stopped again at the blackberry bushes. We ate some berries and drove down to the hotel.
And in Pitsunda that day the end of the world was happening! Our president “found out” that we were vacationing here, and decided to go not to Sukhum, but to Pitsunda! I arranged a rendezvous with my colleague under the canopy of relict pines at the state dacha. I don’t know how he got there, probably by helicopter, but all ground traffic was paralyzed. The roads are blocked. And there are only a few of them. No one could leave or enter anywhere! We had such a great time riding through the mountains today! No worries!
Vladimir Vladimirovich talked with the President of Abkhazia on tourism safety issues and signed another batch of contracts. He promised a few more yards of material assistance. And with that he left. Didn't stay the night.
We had dinner and also began to go to bed. We were still very concerned about our son’s health. The child walked with us all day with a fever as long as he had strength. Therefore, the next day we decided to go to an appointment with the same otolaryngologist at the resort clinic. Let him look and prescribe the correct treatment.
Today turned out to be a great day! Its richness can be judged by the number of attractions we visited in New Athos. Five hundred photos were clicked! Of which I have the opportunity to show only a small part to the devoted reader who managed to overcome this long opus.
In Abkhazia, at the foot of the mountains, on picturesque hills, is located one of the most beautiful cities in the region - New Athos.
The first information about the city here dates back to the 3rd century AD. Now New Athos attracts tourists with its harmonious combination of natural conditions (mild climate and warm sea) and man-made, as well as partially man-made natural attractions.
The most interesting historical monuments and beautiful places of New Athos are in our material.
If you are going to relax in New Athos, definitely from those who have already been here with a small child.
Attractions marked on the city map:
Address: New Athos Monastery (you can reach it along Kurortnaya Street)
Telephone: +7 (840 442) 2-40-23, 2-40-26
Operating mode: Wednesday – Sunday: 12:00 – 18:00
Price: Free admission
One of the most famous monasteries in the CIS was founded in 1875. It was built with the support of monks from Greece, from Old Athos. In general, the monastery took about 15 years to build, the reason for which was the lack of competent infrastructure and the war with Turkey.
Now the New Athos Monastery is one of the main Orthodox shrines. The complex of 6 temples with the main Panteleimon Cathedral annually becomes a place of pilgrimage for many believers and ordinary tourists. The main cathedral is the largest temple in Abkhazia.
When planning to visit a monastery, familiarize yourself with the rules of behavior inside existing religious sites. In addition, it is important to be mindful of your appearance.
New Athos stands at the foot of two mountains. The smaller of them, Iverskaya, 344 meters high, is interesting for the objects it contains. So, on the top of the mountain there is the old Anakopia fortress, and inside the mountain there is the famous New Athos cave.
From the top of the mountain a panorama of the Black Sea coast opens. The climb to the top can be done on foot (there is a convenient serpentine route that takes about an hour to climb), but it will be much more interesting to climb to the top on horseback. Even an inexperienced rider can handle the horse climb.
Address:
Price: Free admission
The largest surviving fortress in Abkhazia is Anakopia. Located on Iverskaya Mountain, this fortress is rather a remnant of its former greatness. Despite the reconstruction, it was never possible to completely restore the structure.
The structure was erected in the 7th century with the support of Byzantine craftsmen. In the south, the fortress is fortified with 7 towers, round and square. The walls of Anakopia are built with powerful limestone blocks. The gates to the complex were specially raised above the ground, so that one could only get inside by using the stairs. There is still a healing well near the fortress, which never runs out of water.
Address: Iverskaya Mountain (ascent along Khazaria and Chanba streets)
Operating mode: daily (May - October) Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday (October - May) - from 09:00 to 18:00
Price: adults – 500 rub., children under 8 years old – free
In the depths of Iverskaya Mountain there is one of the largest caves in Abkhazia. The New Athos cave is composed of limestones, the formation mechanism is karst. The total length is almost 2 kilometers, the maximum depth is 180 meters. In general, the volume of the cave exceeds 1 million m3.
The entrance to the cave was found in 1961, and tourists have been able to visit it since 1975. There are 11 halls in total, 6 of which offer excursions daily (another 2 every week). It offers visitors underground railroad with a total length of 1300 meters with 3 stations.
Tourists should look at various deposits (stalactites, stalagmites and helictites - formations growing in various directions), underground galleries, flooded grottoes and lakes.
Address: st. Eshba
Operating mode: from 09:00 to 18:00
Price: Free admission
The legend of Simon, who healed people with touch and prayer, has become firmly entrenched in the folklore of Abkhazia. According to it, Simon the Canaanite lived in the fifties from the birth of Christ on the banks of the Psyrtskha River in the town of the same name. He was the first to baptize the inhabitants of this area, who became the ancestors of modern Abkhazians.
After Simon's death, a temple was built at his resting place in the 9th century. After its destruction by Muslims, the temple was rebuilt a century later.
Now the temple of Simon the Canaanite is one of the main ones in New Athos. The unique frescoes were only partially restored after the period of Soviet rule. Services, baptisms and other ceremonies are held in the temple, during which the building is closed to all outsiders (according to the old Abkhaz tradition).
A path leads from the temple to the river gorge. Along it you can get to the Simon's grotto, restored in our century. Along the way you can come across a spring with healing water. In the cell (grotto) itself there is a cross carved, and its walls are very smooth, as if man-made.
Address: platform Psyrtskha, st. Labaria
Price: Free admission
The Grotto of Simon the Canaanite, mentioned above, is located on the territory of the natural complex - the Psyrtskha Nature Reserve. It is located on the banks of the Psyrtskha River, and you can get to it along the path from the same name railway station(this is also a remarkable building - the central hall of the station is located above the river itself, and its architecture is reminiscent of traditional buildings in Georgia and Abkhazia).
Fir forests grow near the station. Located in the reserve healing spring and small waterfall. In addition to this and the river itself, in the reserve you can admire the almost untouched nature of Abkhazia.
Seaside Park of New Athos
Address: st. Khazaria
Price: Free admission
The monks from Greece who built the New Athos Monastery also laid out a unique park in New Athos.
Here in 1880 a system of seven ponds was created. The bottom of each pond is tiled, the depth of each of them is from 1.5 to 2 meters. The monks developed the park for their needs; they raised fish here.
In 1910, the park was officially opened to citizens. Openwork bridges and plaster sculptures appeared here. Now on the banks of the ponds there are trees and shrubs of the subtropical zone and there are benches. The park is home to a family of black swans and fish can also be found.
Embankment of New Athos
More likely not even a street, but a large garden stretching along the seashore. The length of the embankment is 6 kilometers, the average width of the street is 35 meters.
On the right side there are tall palm trees and low bushes. On the left side there is a fence that separates the plant area from the pedestrian area. The uniqueness of the street lies in its competent layout - all the noise of strolling tourists is behind the fence, so those seeking silence can calmly walk near the plants and the sea.
In the evening, the lanterns are lit on the embankment and street musicians perform. Every morning the street is thoroughly cleaned.
For entertainment, it’s worth going to Adler, right on the border with Abkhazia - there is a large concentration of water parks, dolphinariums, oceanariums and other interesting things for adults and children.
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