South Zelenchuksky Church

The South Zelenchuksky Church is a Byzantine house of worship in Nizhny Arkhyz featuring three internal spaces and three semicircular apses arranged in a cross shape. The walls are built from stacked sandstone blocks that create a strong masonry structure.

The building was constructed in the late 10th or early 11th century and served as a place of prayer for medieval Alanian people. It was damaged during invasions but underwent restoration in the late 1800s.

The church is named after the nearby Zelenchuk River and occupies a place that held meaning for early Christian communities in the region. Visitors can see how the building's structure and layout reflect the worship practices and beliefs of the people who gathered here.

The site is located in the Karachay-Cherkessia region and is accessible on foot with no barriers to entry. Visit during warmer months when weather conditions make it easier to explore the ruins and surrounding landscape.

After restoration, the building was dedicated to Saint Elijah in 1991 and stands as one of the oldest functioning religious buildings in the nation. The site preserves evidence of craftsmanship and construction methods from a period that remains less documented elsewhere in the region.

Location: Nizhny Arkhyz

Architectural style: Byzantine architecture

Part of: Zelenchuk churches

GPS coordinates: 43.68489,41.47567

Latest update: December 9, 2025 20:24