Holy Dormition Monastery in Bakhchisaray

The monastery, which houses the rock-cut temple of the Dormition of the most Holy Theotokos, was founded by icon-worshippers who fled from Byzantium in the 8^th-9^th centuries, is located in the Mairam-Dere gorge near Bakhchisaray.

The Holy Dormition monastery is one of the most visited Orthodox shrines in Crimea, often referred to as the Crimean Lavra. This place is consecrated by the miraculous appearance of the Icon f the Mother of God, which is revered not only by Christians, but also by Muslims. The assumption Church is carved out of a rock mass that hovers over the cliff like a soaring bird, which creates an impressive spectacle.

According to legend, it was on these rocks that the miraculous Icon of the Mother of God appeared to people. During the Turkish invasion of the Crimea in 1475, the assumption monastery escaped destruction. Soon, the new capital of the Crimean khanate, Bakhchisaray, was established near the monastery. This proximity allowed the ambassadors who came to the Khan from Orthodox States to pray among their co-religionists. No wonder at the end of the 15^thcentury, the monastery became the residence of the Metropolitan and the Center of Orthodoxy in the Crimea.

After the Exodus of Christians from the Crimea in 1778, the monastery gradually began to deteriorate. Its revival began in 1850, when the Dormition temple was founded by the efforts of Archbishop Innokenty of Kherson and Tauride. After the end of the Crimean war, the assumption Church was also restored.

In 1921, after the revolution of 1917, the monastery was again closed, and a labour colony was located on its territory, almost all the buildings were destroyed, but the assumption Church survived. In 1965-1966, restoration work was carried out, and in 1993, the restoration of the monastery began. Now monks live here and worship services are held. The monastery is open to tourists.

Location : Crimea