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RussiaWhat to Expect and Is It Worth Visiting
Shuldan Cave Monastery is a functioning ancient monastery and at the same time a historical and architectural landmark in the western part of Crimea. This place is very interesting and will be primarily attractive to those tourists who like to get acquainted with sights that are not very popular among mass vacationers. The fact is that due to the inaccessibility of the monastery, inexpensive group tours by buses from the beach resorts of the Crimea are rarely held here, and therefore you will have to get here yourself, or hire an excursion SUV in Bakhchisarai.
The history of the Shuldan monastery began in the XII-XIII centuries. It was at this time that it was erected by monks persecuted by the Byzantine authorities. In its original form, the monastery consisted of 20 caves. All of them were in 2 tiers. After one of the earthquakes, part of the caves was destroyed. But tourists still have something to see.
The Shuldan monastery is still active, so during the visit you can see the iconostasis decorated under the arches of one of the caves. The surrounding landscape is no less interesting than the interior arrangement, because the monastery is located at an altitude of 515 meters, occupying the top of Shuldan-Burun, and therefore it offers a picturesque view of nature lying at the mountainside and the Inkerman quarry.
The nearest settlement to the monastery is Ternovka. From here the hiking trails leading to the monastery begin. Even an unprepared person will be able to reach this place, since there are no sharp changes on the path. Experienced tourists are advised to move to the monastery of Shuldan from another cave monastery Chelter-Marmara. The path will be more difficult, but more picturesque. This option is suitable for people who want to take a lot of beautiful photos.
It is possible to facilitate the ascent with the help of rented transport. At the foot of the mountain near the village of Ternovka, UAZ drivers offer to take you to the chapel, and from there you will have to go to the temple. The journey will take 10-15 minutes. The approximate price of the service is 2.5 thousand rubles. Since the monastery is active, tourists can take treats to the monks with them. Suitable sweets, sugar, cereals, cookies. It will be a common gesture of courtesy.
🕐 Working hours
around the clock, it is better to visit during the day.
💵Entrance fee / ticket price
free of charge, donations are welcome.
🚶 How to get there
Shuland Monastery officially belongs to the territory of Sevastopol and is located 33 kilometers from its center (Shuldan Cave Monastery on the map). It is located 26 kilometers from Bakhchisarai, besides it is more often visited during a trip to this city and to the Bakhchisarai cave complex Mangup Kale, and that's why we attributed it to the sights of Bakhchisarai. Nevertheless, you can visit it yourself during the day from Sevastopol, Bakhchisarai, Balaklava and other cities in this part of the peninsula. Unfortunately, inexpensive group tours by bus are not made here (at least we have not met such), and therefore you will have to go on your own, or hire an off-road guide in Bakhchisarai.
From Sevastopol, Balaklava, Bakhchisarai and other cities in this part of the peninsula by car
It is best to visit Shuldan on your own transport. It is especially convenient to do this on the way from Sevastopol or Balaklava to Bakhchisarai or back. The point of entry to the monastery is the small village of Ternovka, located on the highway leading from the Balaklava district of Sevastopol to Bakhchisarai. There is an obvious road sign on this road to Shuldan, but it's better to use the navigator, including the maps app in your smartphone. After the sign from the asphalt road, you will have to go to the dirt road, but, unfortunately, sometimes this road is blocked by a barrier. On the ground to go about two kilometers, the road in dry weather is passable for any cars. But in wet weather it is better not to go here on your car, but to take advantage of the offers of local drivers on off-road vehicles. You need to go not to the end of the road, but to this point on the map (the beginning of the trail on Shuldan on the map). Here you need to leave the car, and then up the trail only on foot. It will take about a kilometer to walk in one direction, and climb to a height of about 60 meters, which is approximately equal to the height of 24 floors. But do not be alarmed: the path is gentle and easily passable even for children. But still, caution will not hurt here, because part of the way you will go over the cliff.
From Sevastopol by bus
From any district of Sevastopol, you can get to Ternovka by city buses. There are two routes here:
- №40. It is coming from Sevastopol from the stop "5th kilometer of Balaklava highway" near "Cucumber". This is a well-known stop for transfers, which in turn can be reached by city buses and trolleybuses from any district of Sevastopol.
- №129. It comes from Balaklava from the stop "May 1 Square", which is located in the very center of the tourist area of Balaklava.
When you arrive at the bus stop in Ternovka, you can walk about 4 kilometers from it to the monastery and climb more than 300 meters. It's hard, and therefore you can take advantage of the offers of local SUV drivers who offer to get to the starting point of the walking route from 2.5 thousand rubles. for a car up to 6 people. Then walk directly to the monastery about a kilometer and 60 meters in height.
From Bakhchisarai, Yalta and Foros by bus
From Yalta, the Yalta-Foros-Bakhchisarai bus is poisoned several times a day according to the schedule, it goes through Ternovka. From the stop in Ternovka to the monastery you can walk about 4 kilometers and climb more than 300 meters. It's hard, and therefore you can take advantage of the offers of local SUV drivers who offer to get to the starting point of the walking route from 2.5 thousand rubles. for a car up to 6 people. Then walk directly to the monastery about a kilometer and 60 meters in height.
💥 We remind you that it is much more interesting to get acquainted with the sights of Balaclava with the help of excursions, and therefore we advise you to look at online booking options on these proven search and price comparison sites: