The fortress city of Eski-Kerman in Crimea: features and location

The centuries-old history of the peninsula left its indelible imprint on it. Therefore, today it is possible for tourists and guests of Crimea to visit some truly unique places. Among the huge list of such attractions should highlight the city-fortress of Eski-Kerman, which will not leave indifferent any tourist.

On the peninsula you can find interesting ancient buildings, representing a cave city. Eski-Kerman - a bright representative of the joint work of man and nature, which resulted in a landmark, preserved to our times, filled with mysteries and riddles. The place of the abandoned fortress is often visited today by vacationers of the Crimea, as well as directors and directors who use this archaeological site to make films.

Once in the upper crevices were located the battle walls, intended for the defense of the city, in addition, to our times there are still fragments of above-ground watchtowers and cave casemates.

The name of the city translates as “old fortress”, once the city occupied about 4/5 of the entire 10 hectare plateau. The approach to Eski-Kerman was a road running from the south, the eastern and western walls were sheer cliffs. In addition to the main road, it was possible to get to the settlement from the north, where the cliff was located, as well as from the east.

Temples were built inside the fortress, among the buildings of this purpose should be allocated the most popular, called the Temple of the Three Horsemen. Based on the available data, it was built in the XII-XIII century. Famous warriors, in whose honor the church was built, consider George the Victorious, as well as Fyodor Stratilat and Dmitry Salunsky.

The fortress was built with an emphasis on protection from raids and invasions of enemies, so the walls of Eski-Kerman were impressive in size, contained places for the location of stone-throwers. In addition, in case of a siege, the fortress was provided with the most necessary - water. For these purposes, inside was built wellin which to this day there is water. This attraction is the most important in the city.

The depth of the well is 50 meters, and the descent contains 84 steps. The bottom of it is a spacious hall.

Residential buildings were erected of stone, tiles were used as roofing materials, buildings on the upper tiers had balconies. However, to save space, the courtyards were narrow and small. The dwellings contained spacious basements that were used for household needs.

Among the interesting places of the fortress city it is necessary to note the numerous holes in the rocks, the purpose of which was the storage of grain crops. All rooms had good ventilation, therefore even with a long siege, the inhabitants were provided with food supplies. On the slopes of the fortress there are thickets of once cultivated vineyards.

Now the fortifications are almost destroyed, it is believed that most of them were destroyed in the VIII century as a result of the uprising against the Khazars. However, some stairs and caves can be seen today. Almost all of them were carved into the rocks by a human hand. At the top of the cliff remains of a watchtower, which is called Kyz-Kul.

Information relating to the emergence of Eski-Kerman, obtained only through the ongoing archaeological work in this area. There is no mention of a fortress in ancient writings, and the true name of this magnificent structure is also unknown.

Thus, according to historical studies, the city is already about 15 centuries, and the Byzantines were the founders of the fortifications on the territory of Crimea. At that time, an important northern section of the trade route from the Black Sea to Chersonesos passed through the lands of the peninsula, and Eski-Kermen was a site that it was decided to strengthen for security.

The fortress was raided and attacked numerous times, and the city was finally plundered and destroyed by the Khazars in the XVIII century. Later, the cave city continued to exist, but as an ordinary point, which was the center of trade. It flourished in the 10th century, when, according to archaeologists, more than two thousand inhabitants lived in the city. The dwellings for them were caves hollowed out in stone. In addition to trade, the main craft, gardening and viticulture, various crafts, and fishing were actively developing in Eski-Kerman.

The city fell into decay during the reign of the Greek princes. Various myths and legends are associated with this period. According to one of them, terrible atrocities were committed on a stone mountain. And allegedly this was confirmed by the numerous remains of bones found in the caves of the city. Then such finds were regarded as targeted destruction of people inhabiting the area.

However, the premises where human bones were found were located near temples in the city, and were cells that looked like stone tombs with a narrow entrance. It was subsequently determined that they played the role of family crypts. The indigenous inhabitants of the fortress city adhered to certain funeral rites according to which the dead were buried in tombs rather than in cemeteries.

The landmark is located at some distance from the modern roads and roads, so the most successful option of visiting Eski-Kermen is considered to be a trip on a private car. On the map, the ancient city is located 14 kilometers from Bakhchisarai. The closest settlement near the sights is village Red Poppy. In addition, when visiting the monument by car will also be able to visit another cave city - Mangup kalewhich is located 4 kilometers from the once magnificent fortress.

However, access directly to Eski-Kerman is not possible, therefore Tourists will have to walk a certain part of the way from the village. You can get from Bakhchisarai to Zalesny by a regular bus, as well as regular routes to the sights go from Simferopol, Yalta and Sevastopol. From there, following the signs, you can get to the cave city.

Private excursion services organize the delivery of tourists by jeeps to the very foot of the mountain, but the rise is carried out without any additional equipment. An alternative to road transport will be the railway. By train from Bakhchisaray, you need to get to the platform "1509 km", and then follow in the direction of the village Kholmovka. Following along the mountain Kaya-Bash, fields and gardens, in 30-40 minutes you can be at the plateau.

The main places of interest in Eski-Kerman are caves, only in the city itself there are more than three hundred. Also, tourists can visit the caves located on the mountain slopes, there are about five dozen.

The most memorable environs of the ancient city will be if you follow the route through the South Gate of the fortress. Tourists will have the opportunity to explore the Temple of the Three Riders as well as ancient frescoes carved inside. It was cut in a separate fragment of the rock at the very foot. The building had two entrances, to our times there are high benches placed along the walls. To access the light inside, two windows were made in the rock.

Also among the interesting places in Eski-Kerman should be highlighted Temple "Judgment", the Church of the Assumption and the ancient dungeon. At the main entrance to the city there was a large temple with a baptismal, an altar and an armchair. They are the most ancient rooms in the temple, the dimensions of the temple were later increased. The Church of the Assumption has a small size, according to archaeological work, previously this room in the rock was used for other purposes. On the walls are preserved ancient frescoes depicting Christ, as well as the main fresco - the Assumption. These paintings date back to the XII century.

The main attraction will be the siege well, as well as fragments of the basilica.

Visitors will be offered to inspect Northern sentinel complex which was located a little distance from other structures. In the thickets there is still a staircase and an entrance. Here there are two caves, each of which performed its function. The city-fortress from the north ends with two separate rocks, previously they were connected to each other by throw-over ladders.

Not far from the historical monument of ancient culture is Circassian-Kermen. The once-existing settlement today is geographically located in the village of Strong. It was used and flourished on the peninsula from the period of late antiquity. Until now, only kosharas have been preserved from the buildings, some of them are located in fragments of cliffs and rock canopies.

The “Donator's Temple” is another ancient structure that is close by. The name of the church is due to the paintings inside, which once had a family of church donors.

In the beam of Jurla, located in this part of the peninsula, at a short distance from the ancient city-fortress, you can find a recreation center designed for tourists. For everyone who wants to rest after a tour of the sights, there is an opportunity to stay overnight in rooms or spend time in a tent camp.

Now the fortress is one of the historical and archaeological monuments that are under state protection. There are no restrictions on the number and duration of visits to attractions. However, there are certain rules that are mandatory for all. So, on the territory of Eski-Kermen it is prohibited:

• to carry out any excavations, up to the violation of the integrity of the soil;
• spread the fire;
• break up tent cities;
• stay in the overnight area;
• litter, harm the environment;
• leave inscriptions on any fragments of the structure.

To tour the surroundings and the city itself were as convenient as possible for holidaymakers, posters throughout the territory are posted on which information is available on all major sites suitable for visits. Also for review here is present general map of the area.

To explore the ancient city, you can use excursion company services, so that in the process of walking it will be possible to learn about each attraction separately. Also, the fortress is available to visitors for self-study and walks.

Photo and video shooting on the territory of the monument are allowed., therefore, vacationers can remove the fortress without any restrictions. The beauty and mystery of this place have to photograph.

In the process of familiarization with the ancient buildings did not have all sorts of problems, it is recommended that tourists choose the most comfortable shoes with non-slip soles. The rise to the mountain will contain several options for the surfaces under your feet: soil, stones, gravel of medium size.

Upstairs at any time of the year will be quite windy, in addition, unlike the temperature below, the air will be cooler by 5-10 degrees. For the comfort of tourists, at the very ascent of the mountain there is a cafe, it is open-air. It offers visitors a separate gazebo, grill for cooking. Guests of the establishment can enjoy local cuisine by professional chefs, as well as traditional oriental delicacies and seafood.

For those who want to spend time in the Crimea with a maximum of positive impressions, there is the possibility of horseback riding, as well as climbing the mountain in off-road vehicles.

Sightseeing tour of the Eski-Kerman fortress, see below.