The best vacation spots in new athos. Seaside holidays in New Athos: beaches, attractions, map and photo. New Athos on the map
One of the truly iconic places in Abkhazia - the city of New Athos lies on the Black Sea coast in the Gudauta region, about 80 kilometers east of the Russian border and 20 kilometers northwest of Sukhum. Now New Athos attracts tourists with its lush subtropical nature and several major historical and religious monuments.
Sights of New Athos
Heads the list of local . It was founded in 1875, when the monks of the monastery of St. Panteleimon, located in Greek Athos, appeared on Mount Iverskaya. The New Athos Monastery was erected next to the one that existed since the 10th century Temple of the Apostle Simon the Zealot in which the relics of this saint are located. Half a kilometer from the temple, upstream of the Psyrtskha River, there is a grotto in which there was a solitary Cell of Simon the Canaanite. The entrance to the grotto is paid.
Next to the temple of Simon the Zealot is the former Psyrtskhinskaya HPP, which was built in 1908 by the monks of the New Athos Monastery. Now the power plant is idle and performs the decorative role of an artificial waterfall.
In the depths of the Iverskaya Mountain, the beauty and mystery of the underworld is striking. The complex system of labyrinths was opened in 1961 and became available to tourists in 1975. Through the tunnel on trailers, tourists get to the Apsny hall, where there is a deep lake. The next "Speleologists' Hall", 260 meters long, demonstrates bizarre stalactites, stalagmites and stalagnates. Another lake with a well-located observation deck is located in the Narta hall. The "Apsar" and "Anakopia" halls again demonstrate a dense forest of stalagmites and stalagnates, and the "Iveria" hall is decorated with interesting streaks. There are guided tours to these six underground voids. The total length of the tourist route is about 2 km, the temperature in the underground halls is +11ºС. Three more halls are allocated for scientific work; tourists are not often allowed in there.
At the very top of the Iverskaya Mountain is located, built by the Byzantines in the 4th century. A part of the wall, watchtowers, a cistern in which there is always clean water, and a temple of the 8th century have survived to this day. The entrance to the fortress is paid.
In the village of Primorskoye, near Novy Afon, ponds and waterfalls were laid out for the arrival of the royal family in 1910. The park has retained its beauty to this day and is a pleasant place for walking. Swans live in its ponds.
The town of New Athos in Abkhazia is one of the richest in sights. In the entire history of the city's existence, whoever has not been noted here: Greeks, Romans, Genoese, Turks.
In New Athos, you can stop for one or two days to explore all of the city itself and its environs. Can you come with excursion from Sochi for 1 day .
In this article you will find a list of what you can and should see in New Athos, photos of these places, as well as my recommendations for visiting.
New Athos, Abkhazia: open-air museum
New Athos is one of the most visited places in Abkhazia. The local population is only 1500 people, while in one summer day 2000-3000 tourists come here on sightseeing buses and their own transport.
Even if you manage to see only New Athos from all of Abkhazia, you will already have a lot of impressions. Because several interesting tourist sites are concentrated here in a relatively small area. So if this town is definitely worth getting.
How to get to New Athos
New Athos is located 80 kilometers from the Russian-Abkhazian border, on the Black Sea coast.
You can get to New Athos from Adler in the following ways:
- train from the Adler railway station to the Novy Afon stop (run only in season)
- by taxi : find out taxi prices
- by car. If you don't have your own, you can rent: car rental in Sochi
- with a tour on a big bus
- with a private guide by car . For example, you can contact these guys: +79384600693, they will pick you up from the hotel, take you, tell you all the information.
Attractions
Below I briefly list all the sights of the Abkhazian resort of New Athos with a photo. You can read more about them in separate articles (follow the links).
New Athos cave
It has been open to the public since 1975. You can get into the cave only during an organized tour with a guide. First you will enter the cave by electric train, then you will walk through 8 halls. In each of them you will see something unusual: either an underground lake, or a bizarre formation (stalactites and stalagmites). The cost of visiting is 500 rubles. /person, for children under 8 years old - free of charge.
Time required to visit the cave: 2 hours
New Athos Monastery
The monastery is located on a hill and is easily visible from anywhere in New Athos.
It was founded in 1875 by the monks of the Russian monastery of St. Panteleimon from Old Athos (Greece). When laying the foundation stone of the main church in 1888, Emperor Alexander III and Empress Maria Fedorovna were present. The main construction continued until March 1896. On September 28, 1900, the solemn consecration of the main altar of the cathedral church of Panteleimon took place.
The New Athos Monastery was the largest spiritual center of the Russian Church on the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus. In addition, the monks launched a wide economic activity: they planted several thousand trees (olive, citrus), built workshops, opened their own stud farm, collected honey from beehives in their apiaries. The swampy and bushy valley of the Psyrtskha River was cleared and turned into a park with canals and a system of ponds in which mirror carps were bred.
They were also involved in charity: they opened a school for Abkhaz children, distributed free medicines and food to the poor. In 1924 the monastery was closed. The revival of the monastery began only in 1994.
Now in the monastery you can go to the Panteleimon Cathedral, built in the neo-Byzantine style. And go down the cobbled stones trail of sinners down to the park. The time you spend visiting the cathedral is 15-20 minutes, the descent along the path will take another 10-15 minutes.
seaside park
The park dates back to 1880, when the monks, engaged in the construction of the New Athos Monastery, began to ennoble the surrounding area. 7 ponds were dug, which were fed with water from the Psyrtsha River. The bottom of the ponds was tiled and trout were bred in them. Exotic trees were planted between the ponds, gazebos were installed and paths were laid, bridges were thrown over the ponds.
The park was solemnly opened in 1910, on the day of the arrival of the royal family in New Athos.
Already in Soviet times, cafes and plaster statues appeared in the park. The hallmark of the park are white and black swans swimming in the pond.
The time required to visit the park is 15-30 minutes.
Stalin's dacha
There are five Stalin's dachas in Abkhazia. The one in New Athos was built in 1947 and is located practically on the territory of the New Athos Monastery. The place was chosen so that the dacha was not visible from the city. Even now the dacha buildings are hidden by subtropical vegetation.
The dacha complex consists of three buildings: the main house, the dining room and the former dacha pavilion of Alexander III, built in the 19th century. They say that a secret passage was built from the dacha to the railway tunnel, so that in which case the leader could safely hide. According to rumors, there is a second tunnel - to the beach.
Since 1993, the dacha of I.V. Stalin in New Athos has been one of the residences of the President of Abkhazia , nevertheless, a museum is organized there and tours are conducted.
The cost of the tour is 100 rubles. In time, it will take you 40 minutes.
Waterfall and power plant on Psyrtskhe
The waterfall in New Athos is artificial, formed due to construction dams on the river Psyrtsha (yes, thanks again to the monks). "Psyrtsha" in translation from the Abkhaz - "fir spring".
At the beginning, it was generally difficult for me to pronounce this word - Psyrtsha. But I recommend that you remember this name, because. all the most beautiful objects of New Athos are located here.
The height of the waterfall is 8.6 meters, the length along the crest is 21.2 meters. The dam is equipped with two culverts, sluices for irrigating fields and vegetable gardens, as well as sluices for diverting water to a flour mill. The mill has not survived.
But the hydroelectric power station has been preserved - a white building to the right of the dam. This is the Psyrtskhinskaya HPP, built by monks in 1892-1903, one of the first in Tsarist Russia. Tourists are not allowed into the building of the hydroelectric power station - they explain that everything has been looted there for a long time and there is nothing special to see.
Under the waterfall, rooms were once placed that were used as natural refrigerators.
The waterfall is one of the most popular attractions in New Athos. Even on a hot summer day, it is always cool near the waterfall. This is one of the most photographed places. It will take you about 20 minutes to take a photo and view the waterfall.
From the waterfall there is a path to the next must see in New Athos.
Station Psyrtsha
The station above the Psyrtsha River is my favorite place in New Athos. It is beautiful at any time of the year:
From afar, this pavilion does not at all resemble a railway station. Most of all, it looks like a beautiful gazebo hovering over a pond.
And just coming closer and climbing the ladder, you will see the rails and the railway platform sandwiched between two tunnels.
By the way, one of these tunnels is called the “frightened tunnel”. Guess why?
The place is amazing in its beauty, and in the off-season, when there are few tourists, its atmosphere gives off some kind of mysticism ... If you just take a photo and go further, 15-20 minutes will be enough for you to explore it.
Cross the railroad tracks and follow the path to the next object - the grotto of Simon Kananit.
Grotto of Simon Kananita and the path to it
Immediately after the railway tracks, the path to the grotto of Simon Kananit begins. The trail goes along the same river Psyrtskha. The place, as it seemed to me, is not very popular among tourists. Many simply do not reach it: after examining the waterfall and the former railway station, they turn around and leave. They leave for various reasons: either they were given little time, and the sightseeing bus must go further, or people do not know about it at all.
The place is historically significant. It is associated with the name of the apostle Simon the Zealot, one of the 12 disciples of Jesus Christ himself. He arrived on the territory of the future Abkhazia to preach Christianity. And he successfully did this, living in a grotto-cell, until the Roman soldiers dealt with him. He was killed just on the banks of this very river. And people buried him there. A temple was later erected on this site in his honor:
And it will take about 20 minutes to go to the grotto itself. The last part of the route is climbing the rocky steps to the cave, where the grotto of the saint is located:
In summer, the walk can be delayed: many people want to plunge into a cool font right in the Psyrtskhe River after a steep climb to the grotto in the heat ...
Entrance to the route is paid: 250 rubles per person.
Anakopia fortress
Even at the entrance to New Athos you will see white fortress walls on one of the hills. This is the Iverskaya (Anakopia) fortress. It is located on the Iverskaya mountain, at an altitude of 344 meters above sea level. A normal road leads to the fortress, by car you will get there in 5 minutes. But you can also go up on foot.
Even if you are not very interested in stories, I recommend visiting this place. For the sake of gorgeous views of New Athos, which will open from above, from the fortress walls and towers:
Allow at least two hours to visit this site. Hiking uphill from the parking lot will take about an hour (with stops for photos that you will definitely want to take). A visit to the fortress is paid - 200 rubles. Parking for another 100 rubles.
The beaches of New Athos
I won’t especially describe the beauty of the New Athos beaches - you will see them anyway.
In summer, there are much fewer people here than in Gagra and Pitsunda. So you may have an irresistible desire to swim:
If, after visiting all the sights of New Athos, you still have time and energy for this, do not deny yourself this pleasure!
Tourists who travel to New Athos with an excursion by bus are usually taken to a cave, a monastery and, if there is still time, to a waterfall on Psyrtskhe. Seeing everything else on such an excursion is unrealistic.
Therefore, if you do not want to gallop around Europe, choose trips with private guides (the phone number was indicated above). But even in this case, it is not a fact that you will have time to visit everything. Especially if, in addition to New Athos, you have Ritsa or something else planned that day.
If you do it wisely, you have to go to New Athos for the whole day. Or even overnight. In terms of accommodation, I can recommend the following guest houses and hotels: Guest House Bagrat, Boutique Hotel Lime, Inn Mandarin, Guest House Villa Oliva, boarding house Vodopad.
If you are still limited in time, see the monastery with Stalin's dacha and all the objects on Psyrtskhe: a waterfall, a station, a grotto of Simon Kananit. The New Athos cave is certainly an interesting object, but it takes a lot of time. Like the Anakopia fortress. But if you have already been in a cave and in a monastery, do not ignore this fortress.
All great impressions from visiting New Athos and see you on the blog!
If you want to find an ancient city shrouded in many secrets, and just a quiet corner where you can hide from the bustle of the world, New Athos in Abkhazia is perfect for this role. Ancient monasteries, majestic fortresses, huge caves, mesmerizing cypress alleys, gentle sea and mild climate - what else do you need for a relaxing, but at the same time memorable vacation? This is a place for those who truly appreciate life and its brightest moments.
In the 3rd century, on the site of today's New Athos, there was a large trading center of the region called Anakopia (Trachea). Archaeological finds testify to the high standard of living of the inhabitants of this ancient city. At first, the settlement belonged to Byzantium, but at the end of the 8th century it passed to the Abkhazian kingdom and became its capital. The constant raids of the Arabs forced the inhabitants of the city to build the Anakopia fortress, which, by the way, amazes with its grandeur even today. Left a mark here in the XIII-XVI centuries. ekah and the Genoese colony of Nikopsia in the form of a Roman tower, which has also survived to this day.
In the late 1890s, New Athos was called one of the largest religious centers on the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus. He gained this status thanks to the New Athos Monastery built here, where pilgrims came from different parts of Tsarist Russia. In the 1910s, one of the first hydroelectric power plants in the country was built here. In the 1930s, this place became one of Joseph Stalin's favorites - in the summer he often came to his New Athos dacha, where today the museum of the former leader is located.
The city attracts a lot of admiring glances and each time makes you look at it from a different angle. Here Anton Chekhov drew inspiration, in a letter dated 1888 he exclaimed: “Nature is amazing to the point of frenzy and despair. I'm a scoundrel for not being able to draw! This place was also chosen by filmmakers; in the 1980s, under the direction of director Leonid Menaker, the most famous Soviet science fiction film “Professor Dowell's Testament” was filmed here.
The picturesque location of the city between the two mountains of Athos and Iberian - on the one hand, creates a unique magic, on the other - protects from the winds. When you get here, you are immediately fascinated by the surrounding beauty, which has evolved over many centuries. Time over New Athos seemed to slow down.
New Athos Monastery
People come to the New Athos Monastery to recharge their spiritual and vital forces, to find peace and tranquility. It is located at the foot of the mountain of the same name - this place was chosen by Hieromonk Arseny (Minin) with the blessing of the Athonite elders. In the 1st century, one of the 12 apostles of Christ Simon the Zealot and Andrew the First-Called preached here. The construction of the monastery began in 1875, but it was complicated by the need for careful preparation of the site - the release of part of the mountain and trees that prevented the construction of the monastery. A few years later the complex was built, but the Russian-Turkish war that began in 1878 pretty much spoiled the appearance of the monastery. The monastery was restored for 20 years at the expense of Emperor Alexander III. The outbreak of the revolution of 1917 brought complete ruin to this place, and in 1924 they decided to close it altogether. Regular services began to be held here after 70 years.
The complex includes 6 active temples, the main one - Panteleimon Cathedral - was built in 1888-1890. It is a vivid example of neo-Byzantine style. The location of the five domes crowning the temple can be called an echo of Greek architecture - they are not placed diagonally, as required by the Russian Christian tradition, but stand along the axes of a spatial cross. Inside the walls of the temple were painted in blue, brown and golden colors by Palekh masters in 1911-1914. In the center of the western building there is a 50-meter bell tower. This gift of Alexander III is distinguished by a clear and melodic sound that spreads throughout the area.
Anakopia fortress
“Whoever has been to New Athos and has not visited the Iverskaya Mountain is similar to the one who has been to Rome and did not see the Pope in the Vatican,” Anton Chekhov made this apt remark after visiting the Anakopia Fortress on the Iverskaya Mountain. The fortification was built in the 4th-5th centuries. ekah in order to protect against attack, primarily by Arabs and other enemies. Many times the first tried to capture this fortress, but their efforts were in vain. The history of the attacks on the citadel was vividly described by Roman Petrozashvili in his novel At the Walls of Anakopia.
Today, only ruins remain of the fortress, but they were also carefully preserved as a valuable relic of bygone years. Looking at these powerful high stone walls, one involuntarily thinks about the greatness of the people who erected them. Here you can see fragments of the temple of St. Theodore Tyron, which was built in the VI-VII centuries. Tourists and all pilgrims are attracted here by an inexhaustible well carved into the rock. It is said that the water here has divine power, being healing and life-giving.
State dacha
Not far from the New Athos Monastery there was a state dacha, where the “leader of the peoples” Joseph Stalin liked to spend his holidays, and later Yuri Luzhkov and Vladimir Zhirinovsky visited here. The construction of this house was conceived immediately after the war, when the leader began to have health problems. Stalin ordered the head of security, Nikolai Vlasik, to build a summer residence here in a very short time, the latter expressed doubt that he would be in time, to which Stalin replied in his categorical manner: “If there is a dacha by April, there will be Vlasik; Vlasik. As a result, the building was erected on the site of a house for the abbot of the New Athos monastery by German prisoners of war.
Today there is a museum where guided tours are held. The two-story mansion is literally immersed in greenery - it is surrounded by palm trees, cypresses, eucalyptus trees, roses, and on a neatly trimmed lawn there is a sign calling for caution: "Stop, they are shooting!". Upon entering the house, you will immediately find yourself on the second floor with six residential and three bathrooms. All of them are decorated modestly, but tastefully - the floors and walls are sheathed with Karelian birch, solid German trophy furniture is everywhere. Three of the bedrooms have beds made to order specifically for Stalin's short stature, but he is said to have preferred to sleep on couches, moreover, at night he moved from one bed to another. It is worth paying attention to a small carnation driven into the wall by Joseph Vissarionovich with his own hand - according to the ancient Siberian custom, the owner, entering a new house, must necessarily perform this rite.
New Athos cave
A unique miracle of nature, the New Athos Cave was discovered in 1961 by a 16-year-old Abkhaz novice artist Givi Smyr. After 14 years, it was landscaped for tourists to visit. The dense flow of people who want to get here does not dry out even today. There are even sightseeing trains that stop at three stations. One such rolling stock is capable of transporting up to 90 people at a time. About 2,000 guests aspire to get here every day. Since 2001, the director of the New Athos cave has been the same discoverer - Givi Smyr.
The total length of the cave is 1.9 km, and the maximum depth is 180 m. In total, there are 11 halls here, but only some of them are open to the public. The tour begins with the most beautiful hall "Anakopia", where there is a cave waterfall, which is a frozen stone shaft falling from a 30-meter height, water flows over its surface. The Abkhaz State Choir Chapel has chosen the Apkhyartsa Hall due to its unique acoustics. Each sound performed here receives a special depth and richness. A huge number of centuries-old orange and red stalagmites have concentrated in the Ayuhaa hall. The largest hall is named after the mahajirs, the forcibly resettled Abkhaz people to Turkey and the countries of the Middle East, and the highest is named after Givi Smyr. Here you will see high stone vaulted ceilings and a huge stone jellyfish.
seaside park
One of the main attractions of New Athos is Seaside Park, which is located in the city center. Previously, a rather modest village of Primorskoe stood in its place. Through the efforts of Athos monks, in 1880, the improvement of the territory began, which turned into a magnificent park. The official opening took place in 1910 for the arrival of the royal family. In Soviet times, its landscape was supplemented with plaster sculptures in the spirit of socialist realism, and a little later, restaurants and cafes.
An integral part of the Seaside Park are swans, which have been living here since the beginning of the 20th century in seven dug ponds. In the crystal clear water, you can see trout, carps and crucians swimming by. The bottom of each pond is lined with stone tiles, and they are filled at the expense of the Psyrtskha River, which is considered sacred by believers. A riot of greenery will open before you in all its diversity in the form of local and imported plants, and there are about 400 of them here. Date palms from the Canary Islands, coconut palms from South Africa, and mallow from Syria grow here. Rare species of flora are represented by agave, Himalayan cedar, candy tree, chamerops.
Leisure
You will not find entertainment venues in the form of nightclubs here, but you can have a great free time rafting on the Bzyb River. It has a length of 100 km and is considered one of the most turbulent rivers in the North Caucasus. The bzyb is divided into three sections of varying difficulty: the first is recognized as very dangerous, the second has the highest category of difficulty, and the third is relatively safe and is used as a tourist route. A qualified instructor will give instructions, provide the necessary equipment and set off with you on an unforgettable hour-long journey along an 11-kilometer route.
Horse riding enthusiasts and those wishing to master the skill of a rider New Athos invites you to horse rides. Under the guidance of an experienced trainer, beginners will learn how to confidently stay in the saddle, and experienced riders will ride freely on the territory intended for this. Your route will run through beautiful boxwood gorges and winding mountain paths.
Fans of a relaxing holiday by the sea can relax on one of the beaches of New Athos. Entrance to all beaches belonging to sanatoriums and hotels is free, even if you are not a guest of a particular hotel. They are equipped with showers, changing rooms, as well as sun loungers and umbrellas that can be rented. The beaches are mostly pebbly, but there are also sand and pebbles.
How to get there?
You can get from Moscow to New Athos by train. It follows from the Kazansky and Kursky railway stations to Sukhum with a stop at the Novy Afon station. The journey will take you 1 day 14 hours and 30 minutes. Trains to New Athos also run from the northern capital from the Moscow railway station, the travel time will be 2 days 7 hours.
There are no direct flights from Moscow to New Athos, so you must first fly to Sochi Adler, and then take a minibus or bus to the Psou checkpoint (Kazachiy Market stop). After successfully crossing the border, you should find a minibus that goes to New Athos, or take a taxi.
Moscow travelers-motorists will reach New Athos in 24-25 hours, St. Petersburg in 31-33 hours. There are toll roads on these routes. Don't forget about the need to cross the state border. Border guards work around the clock, but if you do not want to get into a long line, the best time to cross the border will be early morning or late evening.
local transport
New Athos is a small city, so all tourists and locals prefer to travel on foot. Transport links to neighboring Sukhum, Primorsky, Psou are well established here. As for taxis, each carrier has its own rates - the cost may vary depending on the tourist season and the ability of the passenger to bargain.
Hotels
The legend of the city - the hotel "Abkhazia", where Anton Chekhov stayed, today attracts many tourists with its historical value and picturesque location near the swan ponds. The fund of this two-storey hotel includes 36 rooms of different categories. Homemade breakfasts, lunches and dinners are available at the hotel's cafe for an additional reasonable fee. An equipped pebble beach is located 50 meters from the "Abkhazia". However, remember that the hotel accepts tourists from May 1 to October 31.
A small wooden hotel "Gryphon" (3 *) is designed to give home comfort and warmth. It is able to satisfy the needs of the most demanding, but economical tourists. It is distinguished by helpful and friendly staff, convenient location. You will be separated from the New Athos Monastery by 500 m, from the park - 100 m, and from the sea - 300 m. The rooms are equipped with air conditioning, TV with cable channels, and panoramic windows with stunning views will be a great bonus. In the restaurant "Grifona" you can enjoy dishes of Abkhazian cuisine, and in the bar you can relax with a glass of wine.
"Tsar's Alley" (3 *) belongs to the category of elite hotels. The three-storey hotel has 33 rooms of various categories. The windows offer a view of the monumental New Athos Monastery and the majestic Iverskaya Mountain. On the territory there is a swimming pool, a children's playground, gazebos, guarded parking. For a fee, you can enjoy European cuisine in the hotel's restaurant. A ten-minute road to the beach leads through the famous cypress Tsarskaya Alley, planted in honor of Emperor Alexander III.
The boarding house "At the monastery" is located in a closed protected area, which used to belong to one of the state dachas of Joseph Stalin. It got its name due to its proximity to the New Athos Monastery. The only olive grove in Abkhazia grows here. The boarding house consists of two buildings - two- and three-story, in each room here you will find a TV, refrigerator, iron, electric kettle, air conditioning or fan. The hotel has a sports ground, table tennis and free guarded parking, and 500 m from the beach with free sunbeds and awnings.
Restaurants
Acquaintance with the national Abkhazian cuisine should be started at the Nikof restaurant. The establishment offers a fairly wide range of national dishes: Abkhazian achash (khachapur), pork and lamb kebabs, various salads seasoned with spicy adjika, and quail broth. Separately, it is worth noting home-made cognac, white and red wine from grapes grown under the hot sun of Abkhazia, and chacha.
One of the favorite establishments of New Athos residents and tourists is the summer restaurant "Three Plane Trees", which is located in the Primorsky Park not far from the Swan Pond. You can sit on the first, second floor or on the outdoor terrace. The restaurant offers mainly national cuisine. Here you should try delicious barbecue, Abkhazian hodgepodge, hominy and homemade wine. Every weekend in the evenings, music plays here and the dance floor opens.
For a romantic dinner, the Kamarit restaurant on the Black Sea coast is perfect. Here you can enjoy dishes of European, Japanese, Russian, Ukrainian, Caucasian, Uzbek cuisines. Sitting comfortably on a sofa in one of the two halls with panoramic windows or on the summer veranda, order the restaurant's specialty - Athos chicken, for dessert - any author's dish from the chef, and as a drink - chacha. During the day, a lounge and foreign hits play in the institution, in the evening - live music.
Exquisite interior, delicious food, attentive staff - all this is concentrated in the trendy Abkhaz art cafe Z. Guests are attracted by antique items from the Abkhaz principality, the Russian Empire and even European countries neatly arranged on the shelves. The main principle of the institution can be called an individual approach to each client. For business negotiations or a date, you can retire to the VIP zone. The restaurant's menu includes dishes of Abkhazian, European and Thai cuisines. The institution is famous for royal mussels baked with vegetables, khinkali, Abkhazian khachapuri, Atauad national dry red wine. Guests are invited to use free Wi-Fi.
shopping
In New Athos you will not find large shopping centers and large retail outlets, but there are two markets - the first is located near the New Athos cave, the second is near the railway station. Here you can buy fruits, vegetables, wine, chacha. The main part of fruits and vegetables appears on the shelves from the beginning of May. At this time, feel free to purchase local crispy cucumbers, juicy peaches, strawberries, cherries, oranges and tangerines of the winter harvest. In June, an active trade in tomatoes, eggplants, peppers, medlar, strawberries, pears, apples begins. July and August delight with watermelons, melons, plums, figs, dogwood, grape varieties "Isabella" and "Lady's fingers", September - kiwi and pomegranates, but it is better to buy persimmons and feijoa in October. You will always find young homemade wine on the shelves.
For coffee lovers, the best souvenir from New Athos will be ceramic cups and Turks. Housewives will definitely like a set of Abkhazian spices in a beautiful gift box, adjika and wooden kitchen spatulas. Real men should be presented as a gift with daggers and knives skillfully made by Abkhaz craftsmen. Fans of high-quality alcoholic drinks will definitely appreciate chacha and young homemade wine, true tea drinkers will appreciate Abkhazian green tea, and those with a sweet tooth will like honey that is excellent in its taste.
The small resort town of New Athos has been widely known since Soviet times. It is spread among fragrant subtropical groves surrounded by a ring of wooded hills. The history of this place began in the first centuries of our era, when the flourishing ancient city of Anakopia was the largest and most important center of the entire region.
In the 20th century, New Athos continued to develop as a resort area and gradually gained all-Union fame. Of course, after the unrest of the 1990s and 2000s, its fame and popularity faded, but local hotels and resorts are still happy with tourists, and historical and natural attractions have not lost their attractiveness, although some of them are in a slightly neglected state.
The best hotels and hostels at affordable prices.
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What to see and where to go in New Athos?
The most interesting and beautiful places for walking. Photos and a short description.
The New Athos monastery is one of the most famous in the Caucasus, until 1917 it played the role of the main spiritual center of the region. It was founded by monks who came from the Greek Old Athos. Two years after the formation of the community, the Russian-Turkish war began and the Turks, who invaded the Caucasus, plundered the monastery. The restoration, which began in 1880, lasted a couple of decades with the personal participation of Alexander III.
A mountain 344 meters high, on top of which in ancient times was the capital of the Abkhazian kingdom, and now the ruins of the Anakopia fortress. It is under the Iverskaya mountain that the famous New Athos cave is located. From the highest point you can see the Black Sea coast from Sukhum to Pitsunda. Despite such a modest size, the path to the top along the serpentine road will take at least an hour.
A defensive structure of the 4th-5th centuries, which survived many attacks over such a long period. During the Early Middle Ages, it was a whole fortified city; from the 8th century, the rulers of the Abkhazian kingdom settled here. The building is well preserved, given its considerable age. In 2008, an observation deck was equipped in the restored watchtower and the hiking trail was put in order.
Seaside Park was destroyed by the monks in 1880. First, the inhabitants of the monastery organized ponds here, where they began to breed fish for their own needs. After visiting these places by the royal family in 1910, it officially began to be considered a recreational area. There is a chapel in the southeastern part of the park, several sculptures of the Soviet period are scattered around the territory, black and white swans are found in the lake, spread among cypresses and palm trees.
The temple was built during the heyday of the Abkhazian kingdom in the 9th-10th centuries; it is a unique monument of church architecture, formed under the direct influence of the Byzantine style. According to legend, in the lands of Abkhazia in the 1st century, the Apostle Simon Kananit was martyred by the Romans. Several centuries later, a church was built on the site of his supposed burial. The temple was repeatedly destroyed, but each time it was restored.
Today the cave is one of the points of religious pilgrimage. In the 1st century AD, the apostle Simon the Zealot lived in it for two years until he was captured by the Roman legionnaires. In the 19th century, the grotto was consecrated and turned into a chapel, which attracted even more pilgrims here. The cave is located on the territory of the Psyrtskhinsky reserve, on the way to it there is a holy spring where you can draw water.
The museum was opened in 2010 as part of the New Athos Historical and Cultural Reserve "Anakopia". A small exposition is a collection of household items and art, paleontological and archaeological finds, weapons, products of local artisans, maps and documents belonging to different historical eras. The earliest exhibits date back to the 7th-8th centuries.
The museum collection is dedicated to the memory of those killed in the Georgian-Abkhaz war of 1992–93. The shape of the building resembles a mound, on top of which there is a small belfry. The exposition consists of photographs of people, books and documents. Anyone can visit the institution for free, but you need to adjust the visit to a peculiar work schedule, since the museum is not open every day.
The former residence of the Soviet leader (in total, several dachas were built for him on the territory of Abkhazia), which today can be considered a museum, although little of the original furnishings has been preserved inside. It is known that Stalin stayed here several times in the period 1947-1953, that is, already at the end of his life. Interestingly, in the 1990s, the dacha was used as an elite hotel where political figures settled.
A small platform of the Abkhazian railway, first of all, is interesting for its unusual architecture. The station pavilion is made in the form of a rectangular canopy supported by columns, located above the glazed part. The roof and openings are decorated with fancy ornaments. The passenger platform is decorated with forged lanterns and a fence. Psyrtsha stands on the bank of a small picturesque backwater.
The tower is part of the destroyed defensive fortifications that protected the Abkhazian kingdom from the sea. Presumably, the building was erected in the 11th-12th centuries. In the 19th century, a hotel for wealthy pilgrims was added to the tower (where Chekhov and Paustovsky stayed), in the 20th century it became part of the Abkhazia sanatorium complex. Only the original walls remained of the building, the roof was replaced during the restoration.
"Three boilers" - these are three reservoirs of karst origin, filled with water from the Psyrtskha River. The lake surface has an amazing color of emerald shade, which fades only during the rainy season and during the spring flood. Even in the hottest weather, it is cool and fresh in the gorge, and the water is very cold, but there are still many who want to swim here. "Three boilers" is one of the most picturesque natural attractions in the vicinity of New Athos.
The abyss in the bowels of the Iverskaya Mountain has been known since time immemorial, but the locals were afraid to look into this place, until in 1961 a 16-year-old guy descended to a depth of 35 meters, who later became a famous Abkhaz speleologist. Today, the New Athos Cave is a popular tourist attraction. It is a real underground kingdom, consisting of nine halls-palaces with fabulous stalactites and stalagmites.
The water cascade is a man-made structure erected by the monks in 1882 for household needs. With her help, the brothers supported the irrigation system of the gardens. The impressive waterfall is 8 meters high and 20 meters wide. Its jets rush down with a roar into a reservoir located at the foot. Nearby is a staircase that leads to the Psyrtsha railway platform.
Almost all the beaches of New Athos are covered with pebbles of various sizes, in some places there are sand impurities. Bathing areas are surrounded by eucalyptus and pine groves, which creates a unique climate and atmosphere here. It should be noted that most beaches do not have any infrastructure; only resorts and hotels have equipped ones. On them you can rent a sun lounger and stay on the beach in comfort.
New Athos- one of the most popular resorts not only in Abkhazia, but also in the entire Black Sea. The city is conveniently located at the foot of two mountains - Athos and Iberian, representing an ideal combination of a luxurious coastline, picturesque forest nature and a collection of ancient architecture.
New Athos on the map
The main advantage of New Athos over most resorts is the rich and extensive history of this city, which began here in the days of Antiquity.
Story
About what New Athos has ancient history, say hundreds of monuments and artifacts belonging to different times. The first mention of the city dates back to the 3rd century, when the largest trading post Anakopia was actively developing here.
Due to the rapid growth of wealth, including active trade, weapons and jewelry crafts, the inhabitants were prosperous, as evidenced by the artifacts found.
Often the former Anacopia was attacked However, by that time the settlers of the city could afford to build a powerful fortress, the walls of which served as a reliable defense against enemy invasions. By the end of the 8th century, the fortification was occupied by the brilliant and legendary Leon II. He managed to take over the country of Abkhazia, becoming the first Abkhaz king.
In those days, Anakopia turned into the capital of the Abkhazian kingdom. She managed to maintain this high status for several years. Tsar Leon II was not mistaken when he staked on this city. Thanks to a skillful policy, he managed to turn it into an economic, cultural and religious center, which made it possible to unite the Abkhaz peoples. This situation persisted until the 19th century, until the royal residence was moved to Kutaisi during various wars.
Where is?
New Athos is large tourist and pilgrimage point so it won't be hard to find it. The resort town is located in the Gudauta region on the Black Sea coast, as well as not far from other equally significant resorts of the country - Pitsunda and Gagra.
How to get there?
In connection with the military events, Abkhazia became inaccessible. The easiest way to be in New Athos is to go by plane, following from large cities of Russia (Moscow, Novosibirsk, etc.) to the Sochi airport Adler.
Transport communication from Adler to New Athos is very well organized. Directly from the airport, several times a day, a train leaves for Sukhum, but makes stops in all major cities of Abkhazia, including New Athos. Travel time will take no more 40 minutes, and the ticket can be purchased directly in the train cars.
Read about what standard and not quite usual ways you can get to Abkhazia from Moscow.
From the border and Abkhazia to New Athos can be reached by scheduled buses or taxis. Vehicles leave as soon as it is filled with people.
A little more time will take the way to New Athos by train from . The train stays in Sukhum, and from there it is possible to get to the resort by public transport from the capital.
Airplane tickets can be selected using the following search form. Enter departure and arrival cities, date and number of passengers.
Attractions - photo with description
New Athos has an incredible number of attractions, among which there are a lot of historical, cultural and natural sites.
monuments
For New Athos, as for any seaside resort, it is typical a variety of monuments- big and small.
By tradition, sculptures are located in walking areas or where there are other equally significant attractions.
The most striking monument is a sculpture "Eagle tormenting a snake". Initially, this composition was near the New Athos Monastery, but now it is located in the Seaside Park near the pond where swans live. It depicts an eagle seizing its prey - a giant snake, clamped in its claws. This monument is so impressive in its appearance that many tourists like to be photographed against the background of it.
Another striking monument - "The Golden Fleece"- a composition that has a couple of interesting legends. The first introduces the story of a brother and sister who traveled on a golden ram to Asia, but they had to sacrifice it, after which the Argonauts stole the fleece. The second story says that the skin of a ram was an ancient way to mine gold. Small gold particles from the river settled on it, making it possible to increase production.
Museums
You can learn more about the rich history of the once great city by visiting Museum of the Abkhaz Kingdom- a small repository, which presents many archaeological and paleontological finds that belonged to local residents.
Among these artifacts are items used in everyday life, weapons, documents and maps. Due to the fact that all the exhibits are located in chronological order, visitors have a great opportunity to see the changes characteristic of different eras.
parks
The central place for walking in New Athos - seaside park- a unique place, opened to the public in 1880. This park appeared thanks to the efforts of the monks, who first dug 7 ponds on its territory, laid the bottom with tiles, and then began to breed fish in them.
Subsequently, several sculptures appeared in the park, rich and diverse vegetation, as well as a central place - a flower bed in the form of a calendar.
Temples and monasteries
The most beautiful monuments of the history of this city are temples and churches built here in ancient times. The fact that it has an important religious significance is evidenced by the fact that it is a popular place for pilgrimage.
Tourists from all over come here to see the local main attraction with their own eyes - male New Athos Monastery. Since ancient times, this monastery has been one of the largest spiritual centers of the Caucasus, and it was founded in 1875 with the support of Tsar Alexander III.
The construction of the monastery turned out to be difficult - there were no access roads in this direction, but in the end the complex turned out to be fabulously beautiful. It included 6 temples, among which the dominant role is played by Panteleimon Cathedral- a striking example of Russian architecture. Despite the fact that the New Athos Monastery is a religious monument of architecture, even non-religious vacationers rush to get to know it better.
An ancient monument of church architecture - Church of the Holy Apostle Kananit- an ascetic church built in the Byzantine style. This church was built between the 9th-10th centuries - at a time when Orthodoxy was actively spreading in Abkhazia, and temples were actively built everywhere. According to legend, this temple was erected on the site where the Apostle Simon the Zealot, a saint who preached the foundations of Christianity, died.
Architectural buildings
Acquaintance with New Athos includes a visit to the main relic of the resort - Anakopia fortress- places where the history of the city began. This building has survived many historical events.
Only ruins have survived to this day, but given that it was built in the 4th-5th centuries, it has been perfectly preserved.
In the Anakopia fortress, several objects are of interest:
- Gates- the only way to get into the structure;
- Roman tower- an observation point from which the land and sea environs were visible;
- Chapel– one of the last built objects in the fortress;
- Well- a cistern in the rock with an inexhaustible source of water.
From the observation deck of the watchtower, restored in 2008, tourists have the opportunity to see the whole city and its surroundings.
Near the Seaside Park is located genoese tower- a former fortress wall built in the Middle Ages to protect against attacks from the sea. A small part of the defensive structure remained, but during the restoration it was possible to recreate a historically reliable appearance.
natural attractions
Luxurious nature- the main advantage of New Athos as a resort. The city on the Black Sea coast is surrounded by picturesque mountains and pristine lakes.
Incredibly beautiful and unusual attraction of the resort New Athos cave- a natural gift, opened to visitors only about half a century ago. This miracle of nature can surprise any tourist, and for a convenient acquaintance, an artificial tunnel was built here, along which sightseeing trains run.
The underground world of the New Athos cave is very rich:
- Emerald cave lakes;
- stone ramparts;
- stalactite palaces.
The whole cave consists of 11 halls, but only half of them are open to tourists.
On the way, the train makes stops at several objects - "Entrance Gates", "Apsny Hall" and "Anakopia Hall".
Among the excursions to natural attractions, the following places are popular:
- Three boilers. Karst baths with emerald water, located near New Athos;
- Grotto of Agtsa. Deepening, considered an ancient place for performing rituals;
- New Athos waterfall. An artificial stream of water built by monks to protect against spills.
A lot of interesting things are located outside New Athos in the neighboring resorts: Sukhum, Pitsunda and Gagra.
Entertainment
In New Athos, there are many walking routes leading to the key attractions of the city. Almost every attraction is equipped with cafes or restaurants so that tourists can refresh themselves after a long journey.
What else to see?
New Athos is usually divided into two parts, where the main value is the historical center. Here you have the opportunity to get to know the fascinating history of different places, including the famous landmark - the New Athos Monastery. To get to it, it is enough to use the famous Path of Sinners, which allows you to feel the spirituality of the path leading to the monastery.
On the excursion path you may meet people offering take a picture with horses, in national costumes with checkers, peacocks and other attributes.
Also worth a visit tasting room Abkhazian wines, where you can not only buy national drinks, but also taste them.
Be sure to please your loved ones with Abkhazian souvenirs. Read in what you can bring from Abkhazia.
With kids
Little tourists will love visiting Psyrtskhinsky Reserve- one of the most interesting and picturesque places of New Athos. It is especially pleasant to come here to enjoy the fresh air, silence and tranquility. There is also a small building where the apostle Simon the Zealot prayed.
New Athos attracts tourists not only with a great opportunity to relax on the coast, but also with acquaintance with the most ancient sights that Abkhazia represents.
See review New Athos Monastery in this video: