Cave Monastery in Rozhirche

Traveling through the Western Ukraine, do not forget to look at the small village Rozhirche, which is located in the Lviv region. Next to him, leaning over the river is a small mountain range called the Settlement. He hides so typical for Galicia`s ancient sites - cave monasteries.

To get to the village Rozhirche, start your way to the city. By train or taxi to arrive in Skole, exit near the turning to lower Stinavu. From there, go to the river leaning, go it, and you find yourself in Rozhirche. To the east of it, having a local church is the entrance to the cave temple.

Before the main mountain range, which is distant from the village towards the south-east, there are two hills. They represent a kind of stone gate, skipping to the territory of the cave monastery. You will see the rock, which is the entrance to the shrine. Go inside the monastery. There will draw your attention to the inscription carved on the stone, various symbols and images of the saints. The earliest inscription is dated 1675 year. There are several theories about the time of the construction of a mountain temple. One of them says that the monastery is a unique creation of 13 - 16 centuries. The other version says that in those years it was rebuilt. However, some marks on the rock itself, and the archaeological site near Mounds give reason to believe that the cave was used long before the Christian era.

Now the cave monastery complex is divided into two levels - the lower and upper. When you are in the lower tier, then immediately notice that there is one large room, and the other is smaller. Scientists say that there are housing facilities for the monks. Smaller room, which is called a barn, appeared before the living room and served keley. Above it is a round window that overlooks the daily color.

To the second floor are eighteen steps hewn ladder. There was a church. In its place is now the altar is placed the icon. Archaeologists have found that the premises of the church consists of a porch, or narthex, the main altar and parts. Thus, it was tridelnym structure. Within the walls of the ancient shrines are different niches. Two of them are located on opposite sides of the altar for offerings and for storage of liturgical vestments and church books. On the opposite wall of the altar are three niches, which were used for shelter vestments for worship.

In some parts of the cave monastery, you may notice a variety of grooves, notching and hole. They say that the early church had a wooden addition. Inside the frame has been set. There were doors, window frames, and the stairs up to the veranda in front of the church were the railing.

The best time of year to visit the mountain temple considered spring or summer. From the height of the cave monastery complex you can enjoy a splendid view of the verdant valley of the leaning.