New Athos, Iberian Mountain: description, history and interesting facts

In the world there are many unique places that preserve a centuries-old memory and high spirituality. Today they are the objects of mass tourism and pilgrimage. One of them is the Caucasus. True admiration here is caused by man-made miracles in the form of monuments of architecture and natural phenomena. One of the links in this chain is the Iberian Mount. It is remarkable not only for its picturesque views, but also for its rich history.

Geographical description

Iberian mountain in height reaches 344 m. It rises above New Athos - a city in Abkhazia. From the foot to its top stretches a serpentine road, the climb along which is about an hour. The main sights here are karst caves and ruins of the Anakopi fortress. From the top opens an amazing view of the Black Sea coast from Cape Sukhum to Pitsunda.

A long time ago…

Many historical events are connected with the toponym "Iver Mountain" in Novy Afon. Its history begins even before our era, when the borders of states were different, and the level of the Black Sea was much higher than today's. Even then it was a large shopping center, which was an attractive prey for foreign invaders.

So, in the 4th century. BC. - 2 in. AD The Iberian mountain was part of the state of Iberia (Iberia). Hence the name. Her many-manned grottoes, caves and canopies served as a home for people.

From the II century the history of the Abazgh principality begins, the capital of which was the city of Anakopia (now New Athos). According to ancient sources, it was an important military point, because at the top of the Iberian (then Anakopia) mountain was built a fortress, the ruins of which have survived to the present day.

The further history of Anakopia is connected with its strengthening and flourishing. In the 7th century an intensive unification of the Abkhazian peoples takes place, and the capital turns into a significant economic, cultural and religious center. And the Iberian Mountains became the site of the construction of the first church dedicated to the Most-Holy Theotokos. Later, it was repeatedly rebuilt, and in the XI century was dedicated to the Great Martyr Theodore Tiron.

At the end of the XVII century, the Abkhazian principality was going through a difficult period. Strengthening of the Turkish expansion led to the eradication of Christianity, Anakopiya fell into decay, the Iberian mountain with its fortress and the temple was emptied. In the XIX century, during the Russo-Caucasian and Russian-Turkish wars, the local population left their native lands, and the lands were transferred to the colonists.

The Anakopi Fortress

Anakopiyskaya fortress has a separate history, which today is the main attraction of New Athos. It was built in the 4th-5th centuries, with the participation of Byzantines, who were worried about the security of the territory as a vulnerable place in the invasion of the Arabs. Its name "Anakopia" literally translated from Abkhazian means "rugged", "ledge". In Greek sources it is referred to as "Trachea".

In those days the fortress towered on a steep rock, revealing a wide view of the New Athos. The Iberian mountain was, therefore, a strategic military object, warning of the sudden onslaught of enemies.

In the fifth century there was a serious confrontation between Byzantium and Iran. They fought for economic and political domination over the countries of the Near East. This situation decided to use Abazgiya, then under the influence of Byzantines. She concluded 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 before Byzantium.

In the VI century the Roman army reached the sea by Anakopia. But it was difficult to get close to her. Only thanks to the cunning military maneuvers the Byzantines managed to conquer the Iberian mountain and even penetrate the fortress. The Abazgs were defeated and could not achieve independence.

Today from Anakopiyskaya fortress there were ruins of walls from calcareous kvadrov, a dilapidated temple and a loose lead seal on the mountainside, indicative of early cult buildings.

New Athos Cave

The Iberian mountain attracts tourists not only with historical monuments, but also with unique natural landscapes. One of the most picturesque and mysterious places is the Novy Afon cave.

It is a huge karst cavity of one 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 is open to tourists. Not far from the cave are the New Athos Monastery and the Temple of the Martyr Simon the Cananite.

Interesting Facts

There are several interesting facts about the place in question:

• The Iberian mountain is associated with biblical traditions. Thus, 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 what direction to preach the gospel. This was attended by the mother of Jesus - Mary the Virgin. She fell to the country of Iberia, where she went with Simon Kananith, according to the same information, was her relative.
• IX century was marked by intense iconoclasm. Heretic authority ordered the destruction of holy images in every house and temple. But one pious widow, living next to Nicaea, secretly preserved 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, blood flowed from the Pure Face. Then the woman with tears grabbed the icon, ran to the sea and let her into the water. The image moved along the waves standing. About this case soon learned on Athos. Then there dominated the confessors of Iberia (now Georgians). In the tenth century the Iberian monastery was founded. Once the monks saw a tall, fiery pillar on the sea. He rose above the icon of the Mother of God. Praying, they were able to bring her to the monastery. The Holy Mount Athos keeps the miraculous image today.
• The monastery of Iversky in the XIX century was captured by the Greeks, and all Georgian inscriptions were replaced by 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 Anakopi fortress on the Iberian mountain is a sedimentary well. The structure is hollowed out in a rock and lined with limestone stone. In the distant past, it served to collect rainwater. Today the well is considered inexhaustible, thanks to a constant condensation on cold walls from warm air masses. It is one of the most popular pilgrimage sites.

Tourism

Together, the picturesque landscape and unique monuments of the architecture of New Athos became the reason for mass tourism. Of course, the main place of visit is the Iberian Mount, from its foot to the summit. Every year there are guided tours with experienced guides - connoisseurs of local legends and historical facts.

Any tourist on arrival at the site is interested in the question of how to climb the Iberian mountain. In the historical past, the climb was quite steep, and only one person could move along a narrow path. Today the serpentine road is much better adapted for horse and hiking.