The Simon the Canaanite Grotto lies in the Psyrtskha River gorge close to New Athos. According to tradition, Apostle Simon the Canaanite spent his final years in this small cave in prayer and solitude. Today the grotto is consecrated as a chapel: a modest altar stands inside, the walls carry icons, and pilgrims leave candles and notes.
A walking trail leads to the cave along the gorge, passing the rapids and waterfalls of the Psyrtskha, so the route is popular with ordinary travellers as well as pilgrims.
📜 Facts
- Tradition holds that Apostle Simon the Canaanite, one of the Twelve, prayed here
- The grotto is consecrated as a chapel with a small altar inside
- The trail to the cave follows the Psyrtskha River gorge
💡 Tips
- Wear comfortable shoes: the final climb is on stone steps that get slippery after rain
- Bring water, as there are no kiosks along the path
🚗 Getting There
- On foot from Psyrtskha station: the gorge trail takes about 20-30 minutes at an easy pace
- The trailhead landmark is the viewing platform by the Psyrtskha reservoir
- Exact coordinates are in the listing; use the Build Route button for navigation
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