There are many unique places in the world that keep centuries-old memory and high spirituality. Today they are objects of mass tourism and pilgrimage. One of these is the Caucasus. True admiration here is caused by man-made miracles in the form of architectural monuments and natural phenomena. One of the links in this chain is the Iverskaya mountain. It is remarkable not only for its picturesque view, but also for its rich history.
Geographic description
Iverskaya Mountain reaches a height of 344 m. It rises above New Athos, a city in Abkhazia. A serpentine road stretches from the foot to its top, the ascent along which takes about an hour in time. The main attractions here are the karst caves and the ruins of the Anakopia fortress. From the top there is an amazing view of the Black Sea coast from Cape Sukhum to Pitsunda.
A long time ago…
Many historicalevents associated with the toponym "Iverskaya Mountain" in New Athos. Its history begins even before our era, when the borders of states were different, and the level of the Black Sea significantly exceeded the modern one. Even then it was a large shopping center, which was an attractive prey for foreign invaders.
So, in the 4th c. BC. - 2 in. AD Iverskaya mountain was part of the state of Iberia (Iberia). Hence the name. Its many grottoes, caves and sheds served as dwellings for people.
From the II century begins the history of the Abazg principality, the capital of which was the city of Anakopia (now New Athos). According to ancient sources, it was an important military point, so a fortress was built on the top of the Iberian (then Anakopia) mountain, the ruins of which have survived to this day.
The further history of Anakopia is connected with its strengthening and flourishing. In the 7th century, an intensive unification of the Abkhaz peoples takes place, and the capital turns into a significant economic, cultural and religious center. And the Iverskaya mountain becomes the site of the construction of the first church dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Later, it was rebuilt several times, and in the 11th century it was dedicated to the Great Martyr Theodore Tyron.
At the end of the XVII century, the Abkhaz principality is going through a difficult period. The strengthening of Turkish expansion led to the eradication of Christianity, Anakopia fell into decay, the Iberian mountain with its fortress and temple was empty. In the XIX century, during the Russian-Caucasian and Russian-Turkish wars, the local population left their native lands, and the lands were transferred to the colonists.
Anakopia Fortress
Anakopia fortress, which today is the main attraction of New Athos, has a separate history. It was built in the 4th-5th centuries, with the participation of the Byzantines, who were worried about the security of the territory as a vulnerable place during the invasion of the Arabs. Its name "Anakopia" literally translated from the Abkhazian means "cut", "ledge". It is referred to in Greek sources as "The Trachea".
In those distant times, the fortress towered on a steep rock, opening a wide view of New Athos. Iverskaya Mountain was thus a strategic military object, warning of a sudden attack of enemies.
In the 5th century, there was a serious confrontation between Byzantium and Iran. They fought for economic and political dominance over the countries of Western Asia. Abazgia, who was then under the influence of the Byzantines, decided to take advantage of this situation. She made an alliance with Iran and decided to oppose her patron. However, such a move was defeated: at the last moment, Iran withdrew from the treaty. And Abazgia had to answer alone to Byzantium.
In the 6th century, Roman troops reached Anakopia by sea. But getting close to her was difficult. Only thanks to cunning military maneuvers did the Byzantines manage to conquer the Iberian Mountain and even penetrate the fortress. The Abazgs were defeated and failed to gain independence.
Today, the ruins of walls made of limestone squares, a dilapidated temple and a hanging lead seal on the mountainside remained from the Anakopia fortress,testifying to early religious buildings.
New Athos Cave
Iverskaya Mountain attracts tourists not only with historical monuments, but also with unique natural landscapes. One of the most picturesque and mysterious places is the New Athos cave.
It is a huge karst cavity of a million cubic meters and includes nine halls, each of which has a name. The entrance to the cave was found in 1961, and since 1975 the archaeological find has been open to tourists. Not far from the cave are the New Athos Monastery and the temple of the martyr Simon the Zealot.
Interesting facts
There are several interesting facts related to the described place:
- Iverskaya mountain is associated with biblical traditions. So, in Christian sources it is called the First Destiny of the Virgin. After the miraculous resurrection of Christ, his disciples gathered and began to draw lots, to whom and in which direction to go to preach the Gospel. The mother of Jesus, Mary the Mother of God, also took part in this. The country of Iveria fell to her, where she went with Simon Kananit, who, according to the same data, was her relative.
- IX century was marked by intense iconoclasm. The heretical authorities ordered the destruction of holy images in every house and temple. But one pious widow, who lives near Nicaea, secretly kept the icon of the Mother of God. When everything was opened, and the armed soldiers decided to take away the image, piercing it with a spear, from the Most Pure Faceblood flowed. Then the woman with tears grabbed the icon, ran to the sea and let it into the water. The image moved along the waves while standing. This case was soon learned on Athos. Then the confessors of Iberia (now Georgians) dominated there. In the 10th century, the Iberian monastery was founded. One day her monks saw a tall pillar of fire on the sea. He towered over the icon of the Mother of God. After praying, they were able to bring her to the monastery. The miraculous image is still kept by the Holy Mount Athos.
- The Iversky Monastery was captured by the Greeks in the 19th century, and all Georgian inscriptions were replaced with Greek ones. Today, 30 monks and novices live there, among them there are no Georgians for a long time. However, not far from the monastery there is a cell where about 40 Georgian monks live.
- One of the wonders of the Anakopia fortress on the Iverskaya mountain is a sedimentary well. The building is carved into the rock and lined with limestone. In the distant past, it served to collect rainwater. Today, the well is considered inexhaustible, thanks to the constant condensate on cold walls from warm air masses. It is one of the most popular places of pilgrimage.
Tourism
Together, the picturesque landscape and unique architectural monuments of New Athos have become an occasion for mass tourism. Of course, the main place to visit is the Iverskaya mountain, from its foot to the top. Every year there are guided tours with experienced guides who are experts in local legends and historical facts.
Any tourist upon arrival at the place is interested in the question of howclimb the Iverskaya mountain. In the historical past, the ascent was quite steep, and only one person could move along the narrow path. Today, the serpentine road is much better suited for horse riding and hiking.
