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RussiaWhat to Expect and Is It Worth Visiting
Orthodox St.George Monastery is located in the Balaklava district of Sevastopol in a very picturesque place on Cape Fiolent on a steep bank at an altitude of about 170 meters. Perhaps it would not be so interesting to most tourists, because it is far and difficult to get here from the city center. But since the monastery is located next to one of the most picturesque capes of the Crimea, and one of the most beautiful beaches on the Jasper Beach peninsula is located below the shore, it is quite possible to say that this is a worthy place to visit during a holiday in Sevastopol or Balaklava. We would not go here specifically just for the sake of visiting the monastery as a tourist attraction.
After visiting the monastery, you can go down the stairs located in the source area leading down to the shore and relax on the beautiful Jasper beach. But to do this, you will have to overcome a very long descent down the stairs with a height difference of 170 meters, which roughly corresponds to the height of a 60-storey building, so do not take the trip to this beach too lightly. You will have to climb back the same way, or you can go by boat to Balaclava for 250 rubles, and from there go where you need to go by bus.
And also, together with the monastery, they visit the observation decks at Cape Fiolent. The very tip of the cape and the lookouts are located two kilometers west along the coast, and you can even see the cape itself from the monastery's lookout. But it is much more interesting to walk along the path over the cliff along the coast or drive around by car on the way directly to the cape to admire the views of the sea and volcanic rocks from it, because Fiolent is the remains of an ancient volcano.
A bit of history
The monastery has a centuries-old and rich history. According to one of the legends, it was founded in the IX century by Greek navigators, whose boat almost sank off the coast of Fiolent. Praying to St. George the Victorious, they survived, and when the storm subsided, they found an icon of St. George on a steep rocky shore. In gratitude for the rescue, the sailors founded a monastery here with a cave church in the name of St. George, and erected a cross. According to another version, they found the icon not on the shore, but on a small rocky island 100 meters from the shore. This island with a cross of worship is perfectly visible from the observation deck of the monastery, and from the Jasper beach you can swim to it.
In the XVIII century, the monastery came under the leadership of the Russian Orthodox Church and this place became popular with the Russian tsars, who often visited here. In addition, there were other famous figures here, such as A. Pushkin, I. Aivazovsky, A. Chekhov.
In the last century, a park area with health paths, an observation deck and a gazebo-rotunda was equipped near the monastery, where you can not only relax, but also enjoy the wonderful views of the surroundings. On the territory itself there are monks' cells, chapels, monuments to A. Pushkin and St. A. The First-Called, the church of St. George and the cave temple, the holy spring. There is a necropolis outside the territory.
🕐 Working hours
during daytime.
💵Entrance fee / ticket price
free of charge.
🚶 How to get there
St. George's Monastery is located in the Balaklava district of Sevastopol on Cape Fiolent, it is about 15 kilometers from the city center (monastery on the map). You can get to it by Sevastopol city buses, boats from Balaclavas or by private transport, and you can also get here buy a tour on Tripster.ru:
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By bus from the center of Sevastopol, Balaklava and other resorts
From the city center by city buses you will most likely have to transfer, there is a direct bus number 35 from Balaklava. You need to go to the stop "Monastery", to which there are buses No. 3, 24, 35, 79, but all not from the city center. The most convenient place to transfer is the Sevastopol Cucumber interchange near the Simol shopping center/Sea Mall, where all four mentioned routes are passing, and many flights from the center come here. By the way, through the Sevastopol Cucumber and Simol/Sea Mall can be reached from other nearby resorts of the Crimea, including Yalta. Planning a trip on the bus with transfers can use Yandex maps, 2Gis, or Google maps, there are now lists all city routes. Read more about Sevastopol city transport and how tourists can travel here.
Upon arrival at the stop "Monastery" you will have to walk 10-15 minutes to the monastery.
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By boat from Balaklava
Tourist boats from Balaklava go to the Jasper Beach, which is located below on the shore under the monastery. Boats in high season go regularly, but not according to schedule, but according to occupancy, cost 250 rubles / person. in one direction, 30-40 minutes on the way. When you arrive at the beach, you will have to climb 170 meters up the stairs to the monastery.
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By private car
A full-fledged asphalt road leads directly to the monastery, which ends with a spacious free parking. However, during the peak season it can be full, and therefore you will have to look for a place in the alleys of the adjacent residential area, or in the parking lot on the Monastery highway before turning to the monastery. From this parking lot (on the Monastery highway) you will have to walk almost 1 kilometer.
We remind you that it is much more interesting to get acquainted with the sights of Sevastopol with the help of excursions, and therefore we advise you to look at online booking options on these proven search and price comparison sites:
- 📷 Search for excursions in Sevastopol on Sputnik8.com
- 📷 Search for excursions in Sevastopol on Tripster.ru