Letters from D.M. Strukov’s fund in the Russian State Historical Archive and the dating of Via Dolorosa in Kalach caves, Voronezh Region

Abstract

Kalach cult caves are dug out in a chalk butte in the town of Kalach, Voronezh Region. Their total length makes 892 m. The caves contain rooms of different use: temples, chapels, cells, corridors, and more. Central and northern sections of cave labyrinths are known to replicate the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem representing Christ’s way of the Cross. The letters found in D.M. Strukov’s fund in the Russian State Historical Archive may enhance our insights into Kalach labyrinths dating. Concurrently, because of a contradictory character of the accounts under study, it is inconclusive exactly what the time of Kalach caves construction is.

Keywords

• kalach caves
• voronezh guberniya
• d.m. strukov
• via dolorosa
• stations of the cross
• russian orthodox church
• shatrishche
• monastery