Chaliapin's Grotto

Chaliapin Grotto is one of the popular hiking trails on the territory of the Crimean Peninsula. It is located in the village of Novy Svet, belonging to the urban district of Sudak. The hiking trail runs along the slope of Mount Eagle (Koba-Kaya), and stretches for 6 km. Alternative names are Sokolinaya Tropa, Pop Grotto, Golitsyn Grotto.

Created by nature

There are many amazing places in Crimea created by nature, such is the Chaliapin Grotto. Carved into the rock by the waves of the sea for thousands of years, Prince Golitsyn liked the grotto, and he improved it. Golitsyn was famous as a Russian winemaker. He found a use for the grotto as a wine cellar, where the walls of treated sandstone are still preserved. 45 niches were made in them for storing wine bottles. The height of the Chaliapin Grotto reaches 30 meters, and its width is about 17 meters. In the depths of the grotto there is a spring with clean and fresh water, indicating the movement of groundwater in the cracks of the rock.

History of origin

In 1912, Emperor Nicholas II and his family decided to visit the possessions of a wealthy prince and part-time winemaker, who was much talked about in society. The prince decided to meet the emperor with dignity, to refine the path passing along the mountainside and make it easily passable. Turkish specialists, invited specifically for these purposes, were engaged in the improvement. They built viewing platforms, stone staircases, and wine storages.

Walking along the path, the prince and his guests entered the grotto where the aged champagne was stored. The Emperor was delighted with the beauty of the trail. Being an expert in the wine business, the emperor appreciated the taste of the famous champagne, and as an approval, he said that after a glass of good wine, everything is seen in a new light. After that, the area at the winemaker's farm was renamed from Paradise to New World.

The legend of Chaliapin

Since concerts were often held in the grotto for guests, a kind of stage was erected for performing artists, and acoustics did their job. There is information that Fyodor Chaliapin was a guest in the wine cellar. Sparkling champagne was poured to all the guests, but Chaliapin did not manage to taste it. Holding a crystal glass of champagne in one hand, he decided to sing one of his arias, but his bass resonated with the acoustics so much that the crystal glass in his hand simply shattered. So, some local historians began to call the place Chaliapin's Grotto.

In 1927, an earthquake occurred in the Yalta Mountains, as a result of which the trail was partially damaged. Today it remains attractive to tourists and easily passable, and in the grotto there is a reception room and a wine cellar, which is closed by a metal door. During the walk, tourists will stop at the grotto, during which they will be treated to a glass of Crimean wine.

Chaliapin Grotto today

For travelers who have arrived in the New World, a visit to the Chaliapin Grotto is a must. Since the territory is a nature reserve, you cannot get here alone, only with an organized group. Sometimes evening concerts are held here, accompanied by wine tasting, and ending with fireworks. Singers do not need microphones to perform, as the acoustic capabilities of the room cope with sound amplification better than newfangled microphones. They say it's better to see it once than to hear it a hundred times. According to residents of Crimea, Chaliapin's Grotto is worth visiting at least once in your life.