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Interior of the Monastery of St. George, Balaclava, 1856. Creator: Unknown
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Interior of the Monastery of St. George, Balaclava, 1856. Creator: Unknown
Interior of the Monastery of St. George, Balaclava, 1856. This antiquarian nook of the Chersonese has been frequently described of late, in letters from the seat of war in the Crimea. Mr. Danby Seymour, in his deservedly popular work, pictures the famous Monastery as ensconced in a ledge of the precipice: "A door and staircase, cut in the rock, form the only entrance to this great hermitage, which was no doubt first created by the ancient Troglodytes, or dwellers under ground, whose remains are so numerous in the Crimea, as all the rocks near the Monastery, which are composed of chalk, are pierced by ancient grottoes, which are now only used as cellars and poultry-yards, although they were inhabited by the monks so lately as the time of Pallas, in 1794". From "Illustrated London News", 1856
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This evocative black and white image captures the interior of the Monastery of St. George in Balaclava, Crimea, during the mid-19th century. The Monastery, nestled into the precipice, has long been a subject of fascination, with its unique architecture and rich history. As described in the "Illustrated London News" of 1856, "a door and staircase, cut in the rock, form the only entrance to this great hermitage." The Monastery, which was likely first inhabited by the ancient Troglodytes or dwellers under ground, is surrounded by chalk rocks pierced with ancient grottoes, some of which were used as cellars and poultry-yards, while others were inhabited by monks as recently as the late 18th century. The interior of the Monastery is filled with a sense of history and spirituality, with men in religious garb tending to their duties, while soldiers, armed with guns, stand guard. The monks' cells and common areas are simple yet functional, with rough-hewn walls and wooden furniture. The presence of the soldiers, a reminder of the ongoing Crimean War, adds a layer of tension and uncertainty to the peaceful setting. This engraving, from the "Illustrated London News," provides a rare glimpse into the daily life of the Monastery during a time of war, offering a glimpse into the past and the complex interplay of religion, warfare, and daily life in the Crimea during the 19th century.
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