Vorontsov Grotto (Massandra Grotto) - formed after one of the earthquakes from a pile of large boulders. The vaults are also made of stones stuck between others.
| Grotto | |
| Grotto of Vorontsov | |
|---|---|
| A country | Russia / Ukraine [1] |
| Crimea , Massandra | Massandra Palace |
Content
General information
The grotto is located northwest of the Massandra Palace . It was formed chaotically after an earthquake from huge stones falling from rocks, between which there are voids in the form of grottoes and caves. Massandra Grotto is small, but inside it is very dark. In pre-revolutionary Russia, it was one of the most visited sites in Crimea.
In 1881, at the direction of Prince Semyon Mikhailovich Vorontsov (the son of M.S. Vorontsov ), construction of the Massandra Palace was started, and steps were cut in the grotto. In 1882, after the death of the prince, the palace and the park were bought by Alexander III .
A cross is carved in stone in a grotto. The cross was carved in memory of the appearance on this site of Alexander III of the spirit of Hieromonk Matthew. He predicted the death of Alexander III in a railway accident near Kharkov and promised to avert disaster with prayers. And indeed the accident happened at the Borki station, but the royal family remained alive. In honor of this event, Alexander III ordered in Massandra Grotto to carve a cross, arrange a platform and stone seats, since here, according to legend, there was the grave of St. Matthew, transferred to Yalta from the Monastery of Constantinople in 1395. After that, Empress Maria Fyodorovna often came to pray in the grotto.
Legends
According to one legend, one of the largest Crimean caves, which can be reached through the Massandra Grotto, is still not found under stones and rocks.
According to another, the grotto is an abandoned medieval monastery.
How to get there
Nearest cities: Yalta , Bakhchisaray , Simferopol .
Go to the Massandra Palace along the main road. Before reaching the gate 30 meters, turn left under the gas pipe onto the path. On it we reach the concrete pillars - the remains of the fence. We go outside the park and climb the path to the asphalt road at the gate. The road connects the first kilometer of the Romanovsky highway and the palace. We continue to move in the same direction. After about 30 meters we will see a pile of blocks. The mainsail - to the right a little down. Then at the fork in the left.
Notes
- ↑ This geographical feature is located on the territory of the Crimean Peninsula , most of which is the subject of territorial disagreements between Russia , which controls the disputed territory, and Ukraine , within the borders of which the disputed territory is recognized by the international community. According to the federal structure of Russia , the subjects of the Russian Federation are located in the disputed territory of Crimea - the Republic of Crimea and the city of federal significance Sevastopol . According to the administrative division of Ukraine , the regions of Ukraine are located in the disputed territory of Crimea - the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city with special status Sevastopol .
Literature
- Filippov, "In the Crimea", 1889