Spelunking

When I checked into the hostel yesterday, I ran into a few of the girls I had met in L'viv. They invited me to join them on a visit to the cave monastery.


This involved a ride on the metro. Here is a view of the long steep escalators in the metro.
As you look down through this dizzying tunnel, imagine trying to balance as you step onto this escalator and ride the stairs down, with 20 kilos in a backpack on your back and another 9 kilos in a backpack on your front. Now, imagine that these escalators are about three times faster than the escalators at your local mall. That was what I had to do yesterday morning after barely sleeping on the train the night before. I think this is one of those rare instances where falling down the stairs ISN'T funny. Hmmm... actually, when you visualize it from the outside, maybe it is funny. Painful, but funny. Luckily, I didn't have to find out. But, I digress...

The cave monastery was founded in 1015 and, as it's name inplies, is located inside a cave, with some Orthodox churches surrounding it. Here are some photos of those churches...

This is actually a pilgrimage site for many, so I did not take pictures inside the caves. You are given a small candle to act as a light, although there are lamps throughout, and we were required to wear head scarves. After descending the stairs into the cave, you encounter numerous coffins and chapels.

Some of the monks lived in small rooms with only a small opening for passing them bread and water. They spent their days praying and when they died, the small hole was closed, sealing them in their tombs. The other monks that lived here were often mumified upon their death and are on display in glass coffins so that Orthodox pilgrims can pray at their tombs. Each of the monks interred here has a defined "purpose" and pilgrims pray at the burial site of different monks based on that purpose.

That night we went out and found another of these life-sized statues. Rumor has it that this is a famous actor. Anyone???