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RussiaWhat to Expect and Is It Worth Visiting
Surb Khach Armenian Monastery, which means Holy Cross in Armenian, is a unique medieval monastery of the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church, and perhaps the main attraction of the Old Crimea. It is the only well-preserved Armenian monastery on the territory of Crimea of the XIV-XIX centuries. In addition to the fact that it is a state-protected historical and architectural complex, it is also an active shrine, especially revered by Orthodox Armenians, and not only by them. In the temple there is an amazing icon "Blinking Jesus", the peculiarity of which is that looking at it, it may seem to someone that his eyes are open, and to someone – closed.
The territory of the monastery complex includes several buildings that were built and completed in different periods. The main building is an ancient stone church, erected in 1358. Nearby there are monks' cells, a clergymen's house (formerly a hotel for pilgrims), a refectory and a garden with holy springs where you can get water. In the temple and refectory, which is also a museum, on the walls you can see inscriptions carved on stone, talking about the history of the temple.
Over the centuries, the monastery complex survived both the Turkish invasion (1475) and the attack of the Don Cossacks in 1624. In the middle of the XVIII century, it was abandoned by the brethren, and under Soviet rule it was looted and closed. It began to revive in the late 80s of the XX century and continues to this day.
We definitely advise you to come here and enjoy the calm atmosphere and tranquility, because this place is not very spoiled by tourists, there are always a few people here. To understand the significance of the complex and its history, information boards with a description have been installed. There is a church shop for believers, and you can have a snack in the refectory. And in the shady forest near the monastery it will be pleasant not only to walk, but also to pick white mushrooms in the mushroom season. In addition, 3 kilometers south of Surb Khach are the ruins of another monastery – Surb Spepanos (St. Stephen), to which you can walk along the trampled path from the monastery. But apart from the ruins of the foundation and piles of stones, nothing has been preserved there.
🕐 Working hours
Daily from 09:00 to 19:00.
💵 Entrance fee / ticket price
Free of charge.
🚶 How to get there
Surb Khach Armenian monastery belongs to the Old Crimea, but is actually located outside the city 5 kilometers from the center (Surb-Hach Monastery on the map). There is a good asphalt road leading to it and there is a free parking area. But city buses do not go directly to the monastery, and therefore if you are not on your own transport, you will either have to walk a decent distance or catch a passing transport with other tourists or parishioners along the way. About how to get to the Old Crimea from other cities and resorts of Crimea, we tell you in detail here.
💥 We remind you that it is much more interesting to get acquainted with the sights of Crimea with the help of excursions, and therefore we advise you to look at online booking options on these proven search and price comparison sites: