Overview of the cave city of Bakla in the Crimea

Bakla translated from the Crimean Tatar language means "beans", and at first glance it seems strange, because it is a tract located in the Crimea in the Bakhchsarai district. But all travelers who have been there note that grottoes and caves resemble large beans in shape.

Bakla is located on one of the steep southern slopes of the Crimean Mountains at an altitude of 300 meters and is considered the northernmost cave city of Crimea. The nearest settlement is the village of Skalistoe, which is located 2.5 km from Bakly.

This historical monument was discovered in 1929. Scientists have found that around the second half of the 3rd century, people founded the first fortified settlement here. In the following centuries it grew more and more, and in the 6th century a castle was built here from large calcareous blocks. He had communicating battle caves and a protective moat. The rural settlement around the castle did not have defensive walls, which was typical of the Middle Ages.

Sakmato-Alans and Goths lived on the territory of Bakly. They successfully engaged in agriculture and animal husbandry. The warm climate favored the cultivation of vineyards and the production of wine. In the V century, when Byzantium converted these and other nationalities to Christianity, a special Byzantine military garrison arose here. The city fell under the blows of the troops of the Golden Horde, headed by Beklyarbek Nogai in 1299.

Today, the cave city of Bakla is represented by the remains of the fortress wall and tower, a temple that is built into the complex of residential premises, rock graves, artificial caves of economic and defensive significance. The total area is 20 hectares, and the length is 12 kilometers. In the western part of Baklu are the remains of a large church, probably a monastery. This is evidenced by the cells cut into the rocks with niches for lampadas carved into the walls.

Near the church near the river Cuba in 1970, a necropolis was discovered, presumably from the 5th to the 9th centuries. More than 800 burial structures were investigated. Things found in the graves can now be seen in the Bakhchsarai Museum. These are Byzantine jewelery, rings, crosses, ceramic and glassware. In the valley near the cave city were also found the remains of temples, which were built on the same place in the period from the VIII to XIII century.

The so-called grain pits, of which there are about 200, are also of constant interest among tourists. These grooves for storing grain from above look like portholes of underground ships; their diameter is about 40 centimeters, below the pit they expand to one meter and have a depth of about two meters. How exactly such granaries were made remains a mystery. Previously, these pits were covered with stone covers, and the joints were covered with clay.

You can get to Bakly by bus, which runs between Simferopol and the village Scientific. After about 20 minutes, you should get off in the village of Skalistoe at the second stop near the store. Then go 2.5 kilometers southeast to a beautiful lake (flooded quarry up to 20 meters deep) with turquoise water, which locals call Martian.Further, the barrier will see a trodden path.

Another option for the bus route is drive from Bakhchisarai to Novopavlovka, then 2 km by bus or on foot to get to the village of Skalistoye.

The journey by car will take about 46 minutes, if you go from Bakhchisarai, and about an hour, if you leave Simferopol. On the road, you should turn in the place where the “Scientific” sign stands, then drive 2.5 kilometers along the asphalt to the Martian Lake. In front of him turn left onto a dirt road to the Monastery of Saint Lazarus.

There is also a more complicated way to get to the cave city of Buckla by electric train. To do this, sit on it in Simferopol and get to Pochtovaya station. Then go 2 km to Novopavlovka and take a bus to the village Nauchny. Continue to move, as indicated earlier in the description of the first bus route.

In order to leisurely consider this amazing place, you can stay overnight near the cave city. But remember that it is strictly forbidden to make fires and settle down for the night in the territory of this cultural heritage object. Therefore, it is necessary to pre-select the place outside Bakly that is right for you.

The following accommodation options are available:

• private houses in the village of Skalistoe;
• hotel in the village of Scientific;
• Skif mini-hotel, located in Novopavlovka village;
• tourist base in the village of Trudolyubovka;
• You can return by car to the nearest cities of Bakhchisarai or Simferopol.

This route is ideal for traveling with children. It is so rare in our dynamic age that both adults and children manage, in the literal sense of the word, to touch ancient history and culture.

Next you will find an overview of the cave city of Bakla in the Crimea.