In New Athos, there is something to see, although if you wish, all attractions can be visited in one day. But I would not advise this to do. It is better to come for days to 5 to relax and enjoy excursions. It is especially interesting this place for those who want to visit Orthodox shrines and enjoy almost wild, even too untouched by nature and the ruins of the Soviet past.
So, here is my list of the main attractions of the new Athos:
- The monastery complex of the Novo Ahphonsky Monastery is known that he was founded in 1875 under the auspices of Alexander III, and before the revolution was one of the main spiritual centers of the Caucasus. Honestly, I was not there, because the monastery is on a substantial elevation compared to the city, but now I have a very regret that I did not get there. Next time I will definitely go.
- Iverskaya Mountain - within its limits there are some of the most interesting places for excursions. First of all, it is the ruins of the Anacopian Fortress, which is most fully preserved by the strengthening construction in the entire Abkhazia. But I warn you, go there for quite a long time and with the stony serpentine. So not particularly enduring please think about. Secondly, in the depths of the mountain there is a world-famous New Aphon Cave, open in 1961 in 1961 (you will definitely tell the story of her discovery if you risen to go down underground, well, get there a ticket). By the way, about tickets. They are better to buy in advance or attend along with the excursion group. Otherwise, the nervous tick is provided to you, for Abkhaza is not too distilled people. But the view is worth it, although the cave lost a lot after Georgia bombing in the 90s.
- Waterfall and power station are also pretty beautiful. Tip - Be sure to rise above the waterfall, there is a breathtakingly beautiful lake and a dilapidated pavilion of the Psyrtzha railway station (from this species is still romantic).
- The grotto and the temple of the apostle Simon Kananita - if you turn right from the lake and railway tracks, then on a small road you can get into a small cave, where one of the Apostles of Christ Simon Cannel lived by giving. On the way, you will see several places as connected with the saints - the stone on which his foot imprinted and the estimated execution of execution. But be careful too, the rise in the cave is quite cool. The Temple of Simon Channelite is located next to a power plant waterfall, but it is closed.
You can also visit museums, such as the Museum of Ethnography and the Abkhaz Kingdom, or try to see the old steam locomotive. But I did not succeed, so I won't write about it. And, of course, do not forget about the sea if you arrive in the summer, and about tangerines and persimmon if you are in Abkhazia in the fall ;-)
