Hypotheses on the Origin of the Kurmentin Catacombs
The abundant and astonishing territory of Preissykul holds many secrets. The very landscape is steeped in mysteries and enigmas. You will be amazed at how many beautiful tales the local inhabitants can tell you.
Every village, town, and extraordinary rock formation has its own story. And all of them are magnificent! Some mysteries have had their veil of secrecy lifted over time, while others remain shrouded in mystery to this day. In 2005, unusual caves were discovered near the village of Kurmenty. The entrance to the caves is a narrow, inconspicuous opening. As you move forward, it gradually widens and eventually reveals a passage from which 30 corridors branch off in different directions. They resemble monastic cells. Some were completely filled in when they were found, while the lower ones were entirely collapsed. When experts began to investigate the mysterious caves, they made an unusual discovery. Firstly, it was established that these caves are not the handiwork of the Kyrgyz. If that were the case, traces of campfires, sacrificial altars, and other characteristic features of Kyrgyz tribal life would have been preserved near the caves.
Moreover, according to Islamic customs (and at the time attributed to the appearance of the catacombs, the Kyrgyz were already Muslims), it was not permitted to live in caves. This multi-level maze was constructed in a way that is not typical for Kyrgyz habitation. It appears as though it was built by people who sought to hide from prying eyes.
They tried to create everything possible so that their dwelling could not be found by outsiders. Therefore, the theory of Kyrgyz tribes existing in these caves has collapsed.
Another theory emerged. According to it, the catacombs belong to the Russian people. It has been established that Slavs construct underground structures. These include various cellars, warehouses, and underground shelters. This is entirely in the spirit of the Russians. Not to mention the Orthodox hermits who fled from civilization and lived in underground monasteries. Almost all of them intentionally built such shelters to hide from their persecutors. The way the vaults of the caves are constructed and how the cells are carved clearly indicates similarities with the architecture of Orthodox monasteries. Experts noted many similarities, but upon more detailed examination of the caves, some discrepancies arose. Among the scientific community, there were those who began to reject the association of representatives of Russian culture with the construction of the catacombs. It became clear that these were not cellars or warehouses. After all, these are not isolated structures; they are additions to a residential house. And this object was built independently on an island, surrounded by water on all sides. Even if we assume that this structure was built for the purpose of reading prayers and conducting services, contradictions still arise. Why build such a large object? A couple of small rooms would have sufficed. Yet here we have a complete 30 cells, a large multi-level underground ensemble. Later, there was another hypothesis that these caves were dug much later by Orthodox monks in the late 19th – early 20th centuries. This was done, some people suggest, to avoid retribution during the 1916 uprising. This hypothesis also has inconsistencies. By that time, Christianity had become the official religion, and there was no need to hide in catacombs.
Thus, through the most detailed investigation and reflections, all three hypotheses about the origin of the caves were rejected.
Experts concluded that their origin should still be attributed to an earlier time – the Middle Ages. Armenian monks are mentioned in some chronicles. Their traces can be traced in the Catalan Atlas. Comparing all the records, experts decided that the caves at Issyk-Kul are most likely an Armenian monastery. Once, the relics of Saint Matthew were kept here. The emergence of Armenian monks is attributed to the period of the Crusades. The fact is that Armenians were allies of the crusaders and supported them in various ways. It is quite possible that some tribes managed to move to Palestine with the help of the church, while others ended up at Issyk-Kul, and still others perhaps somewhere else.
Various archaeological finds fully confirm this hypothesis. At that time, Armenians were quite significant and had every reason for such construction.
The crusaders provided them with protection and assistance, and later this was done by Byzantium. Therefore, the Armenians had a reason to erect a monastery at Issyk-Kul to safeguard the invaluable relic.
Caves