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AbkhaziaWhat to Expect and Is It Worth Visiting
New Athos Simon-Cananite monastery - this is the largest and most famous temple complex in Abkhazia. There are six temples at once, forming a courtyard and central buildings. In the very center is the Panteleimon Cathedral – the largest in Abkhazia, very spacious and bright, and remarkable for frescoes on the walls and ceiling.
It was founded in 1875, but construction was completed only in 1900. The place for construction was chosen not far from the Church of the Holy Apostle Simon the Canaanite and his cave cell, which is why it got its main name, which in fact sounds completely like the monastery of the Holy Apostle Simon the Canaanite in New Athos. But since the initiators of the foundation were the monks of the Russian Monastery of St. Panteleimon from Old Athos in Greece, it is also known as the Panteleimon monastery.
It did not last long after its construction, and in Soviet times it was ruined, a museum of local lore was organized in it. And during the Georgian-Abkhazian conflict, a hospital functioned here. He returned to the church only in 1994, the restoration has not yet been completed.
For tourists, the monastery is interesting as one of the most important architectural and religious sights of Abkhazia. The complex, although not ancient, looks very attractive and unusual, as it is surrounded by palm trees. You can freely walk around the territory, take pictures, including You Can See Inside the Panteleimon Cathedral, the main thing is not to interfere with the faithful. To enter the cathedral, you need to be dressed appropriately, for which you can take a scarf or CAPE for free at the entrance. Women in trousers, short skirts, all in shorts and with bare shoulders in the temple is better not to go, although there is no strict control on this matter. If desired, you can order a prayer for health and for the repose of 10 people at once (no more), and this is free of charge.
🕐 Working hours
in the daytime.
💵Entrance fee / ticket price
free.
🚶 How to get there
the monastery is located almost in the very center of New Athos, you can get from anywhere in the city on foot (monastery on the map. From other resorts of Abkhazia, you can get here with an excursion or on your own by minibus, plying the main highway of the country E60 between all the cities on the coast. From the highway to it on foot 15 minutes.
If you will go on your own transport, then there are two options to drive up to it:
- You can drive directly to the parking lot next to the monastery on Kurortnaya Street. Parking is free, under video surveillance, but the limit on being on it is 1 hour.
- Another option is to drive along Eshba Street to the intersection with waterfall lane. It is convenient that nearby you can see other sights of the city: a temple, a waterfall, a museum, a route to the grotto of Simon Cananita. Here you can park your car along the road or near one of the cafes or market, and then walk to the monastery up the dirt road for 10 minutes. Here they offer to drive this way in a jeep for 300 rubles in one direction, which is clearly an inflated price.
💥 We remind you that it is much more interesting to get acquainted with the sights of New Athos with the help of excursions, and therefore we advise you to look at options with online booking on these proven search and comparison sites price:
- 📷 Search for excursions in New Athos on Sputnik8.com
- 📷 Search for excursions in New Athos on Tripster.ru