Back in 2002, Russian scientists confirmed the possibility of the artificial origin of Sekirnaya Mountain - the one located on the Solovetsky Archipelago.
Although the rise is based on glacial deposits, there is every reason to believe that from above it is really supplemented by artificial mounds, that is, all this is the work of human hands.
About hills and hillocks
It's no secret that on the numerous islands and islets of the Solovetsky archipelago, there are hills and mountains of absolutely different heights. So, Sekirnaya Mountain is perhaps the most high mountain on the entire Bolshoi Solovetsky Island. This mountain also has another, more euphonious name - Chudova Gora.
Still, let's return to the more established name - Sekirnaya. So, it was named in memory of the angels. The essence of the myth is that once the angels, descending from heaven, whipped the wife of a fisherman, the wife of a Pomor. According to legend, the Monks Savvaty and Herman lived and lived near this apparently still unnamed mountain.
In the summer, fishermen with their wives sailed to the foot. Husbands, as expected, fished, but wives mowed the grass, and kept the farm. For what the Pomors disliked the Monks Savvaty and Herman, history is silent. That's just a conflict broke out between them and the fishermen. I repeat that it was a long time ago and, as is often the case in the myths of any nation, the heavenly forces intervened in the situation - in our case, angels in the form of blond youths.
The latter took and whipped one of the fishermen's wives with rods, and ordered them to reel in the fishing rods for good and health. And that, they say, this island with a mountain in addition belongs to monks for prayers ... It was not possible to argue with the angels, so the fishermen left this island and henceforth began to respectfully treat the saints.
Ancient people tried
This is where questions arise related to the name of this mountain. Judging by the legend, the name "Sekirnaya" allegedly comes not from the word "sech", but from "ax" - the name of a medieval battle ax. It turns out that the angels were supposed to mark the death of the Pomor's wife not with whits, but with battle axes. It turns out somehow tough, especially for the angels.
It is known that the islands of the Solovetsky archipelago are flat, as if ironed out by a glacier. High mountains look strange on them, as if they were artificial formations. On Bolshoy Solovetsky Island, Mount Sekirnaya (or Sekirka) is the highest, its height is almost one hundred meters. Where would she come from on this kind of plateau?
Note that the huge sand and stone embankments of the Solovetsky Mountains were first described by local historians in the 30s of the last century. But scientists then could not explain where such a high mountain could appear on the flat islands. It was assumed that Sekirka was partly created by a glacier and partly a pyramid of boulders, which was built several millennia ago by ancient people who inhabited the shores of the Arctic Ocean and the White Sea.
In 2002, Russian scientists confirmed the possibility of the artificial origin of Sekirnaya Mountain. Although the rise is based on glacial deposits, and there is reason to believe that from above it is indeed supplemented by artificial embankments.
Nightingales do not sing on Solovki
Of course, the question arises: if the ancient Solovetsky mountain is a pyramid, where did it get Russian name? And why did the monks need such a strange legend about the angels? In fact, there are doubts that the name of the mountain was originally Slavic. After all, the word "Solovki", although it is consonant with "nightingales", has nothing to do with them - nightingales have never been found beyond the Arctic Circle.
Well, the monks used the legend about the angels as proof that the Solovetsky Island should belong to the monastery, and not to the indigenous inhabitants. In addition, archaeologists have confirmed that the Solovetsky archipelago, thousands of years before the arrival of the first monks, belonged to the inhabitants of the White Sea region. The Novgorodians called these White Sea tribes "Chudyu", and the rooted local Nenets called "Sikirtya".
Moss skirda
The mention of the Sikitri people is found in the "Tale of Bygone Years". Translated from ancient language"Skrt" or "skrt" is an elongated artificial embankment. The word "rick" has the same root. Skirda is an elongated artificial hay heap. But the rick may not only be made of hay, so a version arose that the “stash” is a form of a primitive prehistoric bulk dwelling, like a giant stack of grass, moss and branches in which our ancient ancestors lived.
The same ancient root "skrt" is in the word "hide". After all, the main function of a home is to hide from the cold and wild animals. The people who lived in such primitive dwellings were called herders, and in the North - sikirt.
The first chronicle information of the Novgorodians about the Donenets cave population of the north (the Nenets came to the territory of the Pechora tundra because of Ural ridge only in the 13-14 centuries) confirm that the tribes who lived there did not know iron and lived in caves.
Cave people
But the question naturally arises that in the flat Pechora tundra there are practically no mountains in which today you can find such caves, and even so that cave people could live in them. Perhaps such "mountains" of the ancient cave people could only be artificial embankments-dwellings - huge houses-ricks of peat and moss.
Only then it becomes clear why, after a thousand years, practically nothing remained of them - they turned into ordinary small hills among the flat landscape of the tundra. By the way, archaeologists periodically find traces of the Donenets civilization in the tundra - bronze and stone tools, ornaments.
It should be said that traces of the dwellings of the Sikitra people also remained. Back in the 19th century, academician Lepekhin wrote: “The entire Samoyed land in the present Mezen district is filled with desolate dwellings of a certain people. They are found in many places, near lakes on the tundra and in forests near rivers, made in mountains and hills like caves with holes like an animal. Stoves are found in these caves and fragments of iron, copper and clay household items are found. "
As for the stone fill mountains, like Sekirnaya, these are no longer houses made of peat and moss for living people, but houses of the dead - pyramids made of stones. In this way, stone mountains on Solovki - nothing more than monuments ancient civilization... Our researchers have a lot of work to do to study the history hidden in the earth.
Back in 2002, Russian scientists confirmed the possibility of the artificial origin of Sekirnaya Mountain - the one located on the Solovetsky Archipelago. Although the rise is based on glacial deposits, there is every reason to believe that from above it is really supplemented by artificial mounds, that is, all this is the work of human hands.
About hills and hillocks
It's no secret that on the numerous islands and islets of the Solovetsky archipelago, there are hills and mountains of absolutely different heights. So, Sekirnaya Gora is perhaps the highest mountain on the entire Bolshoi Solovetsky Island. This mountain also has another, more euphonious name - Chudova Gora.
Still, let's return to the more established name - Sekirnaya. So, it was named in memory of the angels. The essence of the myth is that once the angels, descending from heaven, whipped the wife of a fisherman, the wife of a Pomor. According to legend, the Monks Savvaty and Herman lived and lived near this apparently still unnamed mountain.
In the summer, fishermen with their wives sailed to the foot. Husbands, as expected, fished, but wives mowed the grass, and kept the farm. For what the Pomors disliked the Monks Savvaty and Herman, history is silent. That's just a conflict broke out between them and the fishermen. I repeat that this was a long time ago and, as is often the case in the myths of any nation, heavenly forces intervened in the situation - in our case, angels in the form of blond youths.
The latter took and whipped one of the fishermen's wives with rods, and ordered them to reel in the fishing rods for good and health. And that, they say, this island with a mountain in addition belongs to monks for prayers ... It was not possible to argue with the angels, so the fishermen left this island and henceforth began to respectfully treat the saints.
Ancient people tried
This is where questions arise related to the name of this mountain. Judging by the legend, the name "Sekirnaya" allegedly comes not from the word "sech", but from "ax" - the name of a medieval battle ax. It turns out that the angels were supposed to mark the death of the Pomor's wife not with whits, but with battle axes. It turns out somehow tough, especially for the angels.
It is known that the islands of the Solovetsky archipelago are flat, as if ironed out by a glacier. High mountains look strange on them, as if they were artificial formations. On Bolshoy Solovetsky Island, Mount Sekirnaya (or Sekirka) is the highest, its height is almost one hundred meters. Where would she come from on this kind of plateau?
Note that the huge sand and stone embankments of the Solovetsky Mountains were first described by local historians in the 30s of the last century. But scientists then could not explain where such a high mountain could appear on the flat islands. It was assumed that Sekirka was partly created by a glacier and partly a pyramid of boulders, which was built several millennia ago by ancient people who inhabited the shores of the Arctic Ocean and the White Sea.
In 2002, Russian scientists confirmed the possibility of the artificial origin of Sekirnaya Mountain. Although the rise is based on glacial deposits, and there is reason to believe that from above it is indeed supplemented by artificial embankments.
Nightingales do not sing on Solovki
Of course, the question arises: if the ancient Solovetsky mountain is a pyramid, where does it get its original Russian name from? And why did the monks need such a strange legend about the angels? In fact, there are doubts that the name of the mountain was originally Slavic. After all, the word "Solovki", although it is consonant with "nightingales", has nothing to do with them - nightingales have never been found beyond the Arctic Circle.
Well, the monks used the legend about the angels as proof that the Solovetsky Island should belong to the monastery, and not to the indigenous inhabitants. In addition, archaeologists have confirmed that the Solovetsky archipelago, thousands of years before the arrival of the first monks, belonged to the inhabitants of the White Sea region. The Novgorodians called these White Sea tribes "Chudyu", and the rooted local Nenets called "Sikirtya".
Moss skirda
The mention of the Sikitri people is found in the "Tale of Bygone Years". Translated from the ancient language, "skrt" or "skrt" is an elongated artificial embankment. The word "rick" has the same root. Skirda is an elongated artificial hay heap. But the rick may not only be made of hay, so a version arose that the “stash” is a form of a primitive prehistoric bulk dwelling, like a giant stack of grass, moss and branches in which our ancient ancestors lived.
The same ancient root "skrt" is in the word "hide". After all, the main function of a home is to hide from the cold and wild animals. The people who lived in such primitive dwellings were called herders, and in the North - sikirt.
The first chronicles of the Novgorodians about the Donenets cave population of the north (the Nenets came to the territory of the Pechora tundra from the Ural ridge only in the 13-14 centuries) confirm that the tribes who lived there did not know iron and lived in caves.
Cave people
But the question naturally arises that in the flat Pechora tundra there are practically no mountains in which today you can find such caves, and even so that cave people could live in them. Perhaps such "mountains" of the ancient cave people could only be artificial embankments-dwellings - huge houses-ricks of peat and moss.
Only then it becomes clear why, after a thousand years, practically nothing remained of them - they turned into ordinary small hills among the flat landscape of the tundra. By the way, archaeologists periodically find traces of the Donenets civilization in the tundra - bronze and stone tools, ornaments.
It should be said that traces of the dwellings of the Sikitra people also remained. Back in the 19th century, academician Lepekhin wrote: “The entire Samoyed land in the present Mezen district is filled with desolate dwellings of a certain people. They are found in many places, near lakes on the tundra and in forests near rivers, made in mountains and hills like caves with holes like an animal. Stoves are found in these caves and fragments of iron, copper and clay household items are found. "
As for the stone fill mountains, like Sekirnaya, these are no longer houses made of peat and moss for living people, but houses of the dead - pyramids made of stones. Thus, the stone mountains on Solovki are nothing more than monuments of an ancient civilization. Our researchers have a lot of work to do to study the history hidden in the earth.
Mount Sekirnaya, being itself high point archipelago, perfectly visible from the sea. In ancient times, this place was deserted, completely covered with dense dense forest. Tradition says that it was here, at the foot of the Sekirnaya, that the Monks Herman and Savvaty entered the Solovki shore. And in 1429 they erected a cross and built a small cell and spent their time in prayer.
Before the appearance of the Monks Herman and Savvaty, there were no permanent residents on the island - only occasionally fishing boats came here. There is a legend that once on the top of the mountain two angels carved the fisherman's wife they had caught. It was a sign from above that the island belonged undividedly to the monks, and no one disturbed them in solitude from the bustle of the world. It is with this case that the origin of the name of the mountain is associated.
At the top of the Sekirnaya Gora, the only temple-lighthouse in the world, the central temple of the Sekiro-Voznesensky skete, was built. Day and night, he illuminated the path of ships for 40 miles.
In Soviet times, a punishment cell of a special-purpose camp for guilty prisoners was set up here. But these dark pages of history were turned over long ago, and spiritual life on the island is being revived.
Mount Sekirnaya
Mount Sekirnaya is a high hill (73.5 m) on Bolshoy Solovetsky Island. The mountain is the highest point in the archipelago. According to legend, on this mountain, the angels whipped a woman because she wanted to settle on the island.
At the top of the mountain is the Ascension Skete, built in 1860 by the architect Shahlarev. The temple ends with a bell tower, above which a lighthouse was located under the dome from the very beginning of its existence. The skete has survived to our times.
In Soviet times, a punishment cell, the 4th department of the Solovetsky special purpose camp (SLON), operated on the mountain.
Sekirnaya Gora offers a beautiful view of Savvatievo - the place where the founders originally settled in 1429 Solovetsky Monastery St. Savvaty and Herman. The mountain is located 11 km from the monastery. Several worship crosses are installed at its foot.
Mount Calvary
Anzer Island is located in the northern part of the Solovetsky Islands archipelago (Yandex maps)
We landed in the west of the island near Cape Kenga and walked around the island on foot for almost 9 kilometers to Kaporskaya Bay, where the same boat was later waiting for us.
Landing at Cape Kenga (Yandex maps) The foundation of the chapel in honor of the image of the Virgin of All Who Sorrow Joy.
Time 19:45
It used to be like this.
Now there are no berths on the island, so you have to disembark from small boats or cutters.
Capitan kodola
Worship crosses on the shore
Coastal tundra quickly becomes forest
The road winds next to many lakes
Partially waterlogged, so boots would not be in the way.
After about 2.5 kilometers we come to the Holy Trinity Skete (Yandex maps)
The Holy Trinity Skete was founded at the beginning of the 17th century. Before that, only fishermen lived on the island and there was a monastery salt mine.
Attempts at restoration or conservation are visible.
the official site of the skete http://stskit.ru
But inside, everything is sad ...
Organizationally, the skete did not belong to the monastery until 1683.
"The inhabitants of the skete (17 people) received a salary for food and church needs. There was not enough money to maintain the skete, the monks suffered hardships."
Znamenskaya chapel stands right above the small water channel between lakes with walls reinforced with large stones.
A veneration cross at the site of the Eleazar Hermitage and a staircase leading to the chapel. It is claimed to be incorrect because it depicts Jesus Christ, which is not typical of northern worship crosses.
Chapel on the site of the first settlement of Eleazar Anzersky.
"Eleazar, captivated by the location, settled near a lake called" Round. "
After 6 kilometers of the way we come to Mount Golgotha.
A veneration cross in memory of the new martyrs and confessors of the Solovetsky.
A view opens on the Calvary-Crucifixion Skete, standing on the top of Mount Calvary
Climbing, we pass by a birch-cross. "After all the crosses were destroyed on Solovki, a birch tree in the shape of a cross grew on Mount Golgotha near the Church of the Crucifixion of the Lord."
The appeared Mother of God: "Call this mountain Golgotha, because over time it will have to suffer a lot and become an innumerable cemetery. On the top of the mountain, build a temple in the name of the Crucifixion of My Son. I will forever abide in this place."
In Soviet times, a hospital was set up in the church for the dying, tortured and overworked camp prisoners ...
Even the official church websites say that Mount Golgotha is the highest place in the Solovki. But she is only 64 meters high. And the highest is Mount Verbokolskaya (86 meters high). And Sekirnaya Mountain is also higher.
Big Solovetsky Island is visible in the distance.
We continue our way to Kaporskaya Bay.
On the shore of the Holy Golgotha Lake.
There are such wooden roads.
Worship cross on the shore of the Kaporskaya Bay. (
