Discovering Solitude at the Shoaninsky Temple: A Hidden Gem in Karachay-Cherkessia

Hello everyone!

We visited the Shoaninsky Temple in August 2025 as part of a solo trip from Kislovodsk. The drive from Kislovodsk to the temple takes around 2 hours and 100 km, but we ended up arriving in the evening because we took our time driving over the passes and stopping at viewpoints along the way.

Shoaninsky Temple is located in Karachay-Cherkessia on the outskirts of Karachayevsk town.

I've seen some old churches in my time, but the Shoaninsky temple in Russia takes the cake. It's one of the oldest temples in the country, and it's been remarkably well-preserved – thanks in no small part to some serious restoration work. The temple's situated on a hill, but don't worry – you don't need to be a marathon runner to get there. Most of the way is accessible by bus or car, and there's even a designated parking area right outside the temple complex. From there, the temple itself looks pretty impressive (check out the photo below). You've got the main temple building, a winding path with railings, and a clock tower with a viewing platform. And down below, you'll see the remains of an ancient structure. It's a pretty compact site, to be honest. We visited the temple just as the sun was setting, when the crowds had all gone home. It was just us and a few other stragglers, and the atmosphere was incredibly peaceful. There's something about being in a place like that, when the world outside seems to fade away. Getting to the temple itself is a breeze, thanks to a handy staircase. It's easy to climb, even for kids or older folks. Inside the temple, you'll find no priests, no guards – just you and the ancient walls. It's up to you to respect the place and its history. We were alone in the temple, surrounded by the flickering light of candles. The air was thick with history, and I felt like I was being watched by something much bigger than myself. The icons seemed just as old as the temple itself, or at least expertly restored. The wooden floor creaked beneath my feet, and the dim light filtering through the windows only added to the sense of awe. It was like being in a place where time stood still – where the universe was watching, waiting, and listening. I felt like I was being seen, heard, and understood in a way that's hard to put into words.I walked into the temple, and the icons seemed to come alive. The dimly lit atmosphere was mystical, with only the flickering candles illuminating the space around me. I felt like I wanted to just be there, to hear and absorb every second spent in this spiritually powerful place.

But soon, the heavy iron door creaked open, and a group of tourists walked in, even though it was quite late. The atmosphere of solitude was disrupted, so I decided to head to the bell tower. There's a passageway from the temple to the bell tower on the side of the mountain, which you have to walk through a narrow, fenced-in passageway with railings.

On the bell tower, there's a sign that says 'don't ring the bell too loudly, it disturbs the locals.' So, I gave the bell a gentle ring, just to seal my intentions after visiting the temple.

From there, I got a breathtaking view of the evening village of Costa Hetagurova at the foot of the mountain.

I turned around to take in the view, watching as the sunset highlighted the Shonain temple and the mountain range. It looked like the temple was floating above the mountains, like a mirage. After visiting the temple, you feel completely at peace. Later, a couple came up to the bell tower, and we whispered greetings to each other. Yes, in this place, especially in the evening, you want to be as quiet as possible, so you don't disturb this incredible feeling of being connected to the divine.

When we left, we went back through the temple, where there are papers with a pen (you can write the names of your loved ones 'for their health') and candles that you can light. As a thank you, you can (and should!) put some money in the special box.

One thing that really stood out to me was how well-maintained the temple is. It's clear that a lot of care and attention goes into keeping it in such great shape, and that's definitely something that deserves appreciation from pilgrims and tourists alike.

Visiting the Shoaninsky temple is a truly unique experience, both in terms of its ancient architecture and its spiritual energy. The best time to visit is probably just before sunset, when most people have headed to the nearby resorts and there aren't as many tourists around. But even if you can only visit as part of an excursion, it's still worth it.

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