Description and history of Kalamita fortress in Crimea

The Autonomous Republic of Crimea is replete with various historical sites. Some are protected and are constantly being restored, others were destroyed, which left behind only the memory of the long gone past. To this number can be safely attributed Kalamita fortress, which is located on a peninsula near the settlement of Inkerman. Even today, this historic place attracts many tourists because of its past. Consider briefly the history of the fortress, learn about its features, and also tell you how to get there.

According to historical data, the fortress in question began its existence in the 6th century, fulfilling the role of a protective structure against enemies. Initially, it had only 6 towers, they, in turn, were united by means of certain structures, which were called curtains, which ultimately made it possible to combine the two bastions.

The main material for construction work was rubble stone and lime mortar. The thickness of the walls in different places differed, the difference could be from 1 meter up to 4. And the height everywhere was unchanged, 12 meters. Initially, as soon as it was erected, the fortress was quite impressive in size, for example, its area as a whole reached as much as 1,500 m2, and its length was 234 meters.

The location of the structure of the historic building was chosen for a reason. One of the sides defended by a cliff, it is in this place that the bay enters the land, whereby its width can reach about 1000 meters. The other side was protected by the erected fortress. Such an arrangement made it possible to take a strategically important position and see any movement, which, in turn, did not allow the enemy to attack unexpectedly.

Unfortunately, today the history of the underground cities of the Crimea, in particular, Kalamita fortress is almost unknown. Despite the fact that it was erected in the 6th century, which was found out after some research, it was marked on nautical charts only in the XIV-XV centuries.

Scientists believe that This fortress was most likely erected by the Byzantines, but what it really represented from itself, we will never know. Basically, all the information about it was collected from the 15th century; it was from this period that the history ceased to be so vague. In this period of time there was the principality of Theodoro.

It was constantly in conflict with the Genoese colonies. The principality needed access to the sea, so they built a port, and to protect it, it was decided to rebuild the fortress on the monastic rock.

But already in 1475 the Turks ruled in Crimea, who captured Kalamita and began to call it as Inkerman. Due to the fact that the invaders already had firearms at their disposal, the fortress had to be redone for him. They erected another tower and redesigned the earlier built, in addition to this, made the walls somewhat thicker. After the time, the fortress ceased to be so necessary in terms of defense, therefore, gradual destruction began to occur, but most of all it suffered during the battle for Sevastopol.

Today, tourists can see the destroyed towers, small remnants of the protective walls, the cross, which is located on the place where the church and the cave monastery, erected right under the fortress, was previously located.

As soon as a tourist comes to the fortress, the first thing that opens his eyes, - gate tower, about 12 meters from it, the second one is located; it is there that the moat begins, which passes into the cave complex.

The fourth tower was the last to be destroyed due to the fact that it was moved beyond the ditch and, in fact, was a separate fortress, in other words, played the role of an additional protective structure.

In addition to the destroyed towers, tourists will be able to see the remains of a Christian monastery, which, according to the latest data, was erected by Theodorites, when they, in turn, owned the area. A little later, the temple was destroyed, but by whom and for what reasons, it has not been possible to find out until today.

Next to the moat, a tourist will be able to see the remains of a small cemetery of the XIX – XX centuries, where two monuments have been preserved:

• an obelisk with the image of a propeller belonging to the buried flight mechanic in 1938;
• concrete tombstone in honor of the machine gunner who died in the Great Patriotic War in 1942

Monastic rock abounds in a large number of caves. In one of them, approximately in the VII-IX centuries, the now-famous Inkerman St. Clement's Cave Monastery was built, which was dedicated to the saint who died in Chersonese. The temple was often taken away from the clergy, and after a short period of time it was returned again. So, the last time the church was destroyed in 1907, during the war. Back to the Christians, it passed only after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

As you can see in the picture in the picture, the underground city and not only has a lot of places where a tourist can see architectural structures, feel the spirit of past, long gone times.

To date, Kalamita fortress is part of the Chersonesus Reserve, which is caused by the finding of drawings on the walls of ships with detailed drawings. This discovery was made in 1968, when the restoration of one of the destroyed towers was carried out. According to scientists, the drawings belong to the XIV-XV centuries.

The exact time when the fortress was built, today no one can say, but historians still believe that construction began no later than the VI century.

Inkerman can be reached by all convenient means. If you have your own car, then the navigator will help you. Or you can go there by train, bus or even a boat. It is worth noting that the tourist will get more pleasure from the sea walk, as it will be held at the Sevastopol Bay.

If you go by bus, then You should start your trip from Sevastopol, drive to Vtormet, and then orient yourself at a gas station and start climbing to the temple complex.

When you move on your own transport, you should go on the highway E 105 or M 18. At the Black River you will see a turn to the right, where a fortress will open to your gaze.

Many tourists who visited the fortress Kalamita, not without reason, believe that this is a very interesting place with a rich history. Despite the fact that there is little left of her, she should still be visited. It is here that you can touch the remnants of a bygone era and admire the fascinating views that open from a cliff.

Also, tourists can visit the monastery complex. You can visit such a place, visit the ruins of a medieval fortress on your own, or by resorting to the help of a guide.

If you are in the Crimea, then you must go on a tour of the fortress, as well as the monastery itself.The cost of the tour in the latter is not more than 100 rubles.

You can look at Kalamita Fortress (Inkerman) in the video below.