Karachay-Cherkessia

Religious sites in Karachay-Cherkessia

Spiritual Heritage Sites

Karachay-Cherkessia is home to some of Russia's oldest Christian monuments, including 10th-century Alanian churches like Senty and Shoana. This collection highlights the region's diverse spiritual history, featuring Byzantine-style architecture in the Nizhne-Arkhyzskoe settlement, the rock-carved Face of Christ near Arkhyz, and significant Islamic sites such as the Khabez and Karachaevsk mosques. These sites reflect the coexistence of Eastern Orthodox traditions and North Caucasian Muslim heritage across mountain valleys and urban centers.

Spiritual Heritage Sites — Map

A

Hram Svatogo Ilii Proroka

Also known as the North Temple of the Nizhne-Arkhyzskoe settlement, this 10th-century Alanian structure is one of the oldest Christian churches in Russia.

B

Hram Svatogo Velikomucenika Georgia Pobedonosca

Small Orthodox church located in the mountain village of Arkhyz.

C

Hram Arhangela Mihaila Pravoslavnyj

Orthodox place of worship serving the community in Ust-Dzheguta.

Alex Svirkin / CC BY-SA 4.0

D

Senty Church

Senty Church is a Christian church built in 965 in the territory of modern Karachay-Cherkessia.

Polkotoff / CC BY-SA 4.0

E

Shoana Church

The Shoana church is a Christian church that belongs to the historical Alanian Diocese.

F

Casovna - "Presvataa Troica pomiluj nas"

Small roadside Orthodox chapel dedicated to the Holy Trinity near the Arkhyz mountain resort.

G

Casovna

Small Orthodox chapel located in the Zelenchuksky District.

H

Hram nerukotvornogo obraza Gospoda Iisusa Hrista

Modern Orthodox church built near the site of the ancient rock-carved Face of Christ icon.

I

Hram Presvatoj Troicy

Also known as the Middle Temple of Nizhny Arkhyz, this 10th-century Byzantine-style church was once the cathedral of the Alanian Diocese.

J

Nerukotvornyj lik Gospoda Iisusa Hrista

A rock-painted icon of Jesus Christ located on a cliff face, believed to date back to the 9th or 10th century.

K

Hram Pokrova Presvatoj Bogorodicy

Orthodox church located in the village of Zelenchukskaya.

L

Sobor Svatitela Nikolaa Cudotvorca

The main Orthodox cathedral in Cherkessk, featuring traditional Russian ecclesiastical architecture.

M

Hram prp. Sergia Radonezskogo Cudotvorca

Orthodox temple located in the regional capital, Cherkessk.

N

Mecet

Local mosque serving the Muslim community in the mountain town of Teberda.

O

Mecet

Sunni mosque located in Ust-Dzheguta.

P

Sobornaa mecet

The primary mosque in Karachaevsk, serving as a center for the local Muslim community.

Q

Mecet

Local village mosque located in Nizhnyaya Teberda.

R

Habezskaa sobornaa mecet

A prominent mosque in Khabez, known for its traditional North Caucasian design.

S

Mecet

Mosque serving the residents of the Malokarachayevsky District.

T

Bolsaa mecet (Pervomajskoe)

The main Friday mosque for the village of Pervomayskoye.

U

Centralnaa mecet

Central place of worship for the Muslim community in the Uchkeken area.

V

Mecet

Local mosque in the Malokarachayevsky District.

W

Tas mezgit

Historical stone mosque located in the village of Pervomayskoye.

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