The cave complex 'The Dormition of Our Lady' bore not only a religious significance, but also a military one, being conceived as a fortress. In this respect, the access to the monastery followed a path from the base of the rock upwards and was protected by a small ravine, more than 4 meters in width, over which, in case it was needed, monks laid a small wooden bridge. This passage was carefully supervised from within the cells, above the bridge, by means of some ramparts, specially equipped for archers, thus becoming even more inaccessible for warriors. Due to big interventions, during the XVII-th and XVIII-th c., the complex was additionally fortified with two defensive bulwarks, with a wall supporting the rock, at the ground floor, propped up visually by a massive buttress. In the upper part, it was supported by a balcony of Balkan type, disposed on oak beams and covered with shingle. The monastery thus became a real fortress, which could face any enemy attacks, its defendants being supplied with food for a long time. Alexander Veltman, in his 'Memories from Basarabia', notes that in the XIX-th century, the monastery still possessed several fire guns from the age of Stephen the Great, having ramparts made in the outside wall, covered with oak boards. From an architectural perspective, this complex consists of two level rows. In the lower part, on the left side, are situated two rooms, separated by a rock buttress, one of the rooms serving for preparing the wafer, while the other one was a storehouse. On the right hand is situated the cellar, dug in the rock, reaching 7 meters in depth. You could reach the upper row by means of a wooden ladder, set in stone. In older times, only on big feasts when, as old people witness, plenty of persons came to the monastery. It was possible to enter through the main stairs, but at the same time, the access to the underground was closed, this entrance being masked with a wooden bridge.

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Cave Complex The Dormition of Our Lady - Tipova Monastery - Public Info

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Inserted: 20-07-2023 07:07:27