Description of the attraction
The grotto is one of the sights of the city of Gagra. A small grotto is located 500 m from the center of the resort, upstream of the river Psyrtskha. According to legend, for two years Simon the Canaanite lived here, who was one of the apostles of Christ. He came to the coast of Abkhazia around 53 in order to preach Christianity to the local pagan tribes. Two years later, Simon the Canaanite was killed not far from his cell. In the IX-X Art. a temple was built on the site of his burial.
The path to the cozy Grotto begins at the ancient three-apse temple. Further, the trail passes near an eight-meter artificial waterfall, a picturesque small lake and leads to the old broken steps leading to the entrance to the small grotto of the Apostle Simon the Canaanite, cut for pilgrims. As in antiquity, the current Grotto is a place of worship and veneration for Christians; services are held here. It was consecrated in 1884.
Travelers who have visited this place say that inside the grotto there is a feeling of holiness and light. In the semi-darkness of the cave, lamps and candles are burning, icons are standing nearby. On the rock walls you can see a carved four-pointed cross and the holy faces of Jesus Christ, the Mother of God and the Apostle Simon the Canaanite laid out in mosaics by hermit monks. In the center of the cave is a large stone on which, according to legend, the apostle ate and slept.
On the road to the grotto there is a huge boulder with the imprint of a human foot. Believers revere this imprint as a trace left by Simon the Canaanite. Also among the shrines is the source located near the Grotto. The water from this spring is said to heal many diseases.
There is a stone staircase next to the grotto. Climbing along it, you can go to the observation deck, from where a wonderful panorama of the beautiful Lake Psyrtskha opens - a small reservoir formed during the construction of the hydroelectric power station.
