Chufut Kale in the Crimea coordinate. Cave City Chufut Kale - photos, how to get

(Translated from Crimean-Tatar means "Jewish Fortress") - one of several cave cities of mountain, which is located east of Bakhchisaraya on a rocky plateau right above the Assumption monastery. Chufut-Kale resembles a peninsula, surrounded by high cliffs from three sides (up to 30 m), and you can go there only on one side - on the forest road from the mountain past the Tatar cemetery (1.5 km).

The beginning of the settlement of historians traditionally dates the VI century, when Alans settled here - their burial grounds with characteristic deformed turtles archaeologists were excavated in 1946-1948. They as if guarded Byzantine cities on the coast from nomads. In the XIII century, the city was taken by Tatars after a long siege and named Kyrk-OR. In 1441-1501, it was Chufut-Kale that was a Khan's residence, then she was transferred to Salachik, that is, and only in 1532 the capital was already located 3 km to the West of Bakhchisarai. The main history of Chufut-Kale, however, is associated with the exclusive Crimean ethnicity - Karaimami. It was they who gave the city the name Chufut-Kale and stayed here to live after the Tatars departing until the middle of the XIX century.

Enter the "Jewish fortress" tourists through the small gate (the beginning of the XVI century). They were also called "secret", as they are not visible until you come close to them. In addition, they were a trap for the enemy: outside the approach was covered with a defensive wall, and after the goal, the enemies turned out to be in a narrow cut in the rock of the corridor, over which defenders were located. Entering the city, you will see the caves located in three tiers. To the left of the gate is a unique well tick-ku, discovered in 2000. This underground hydrotechnical structure has no analogues in the world - a limestone gallery with a length of 120 m leads to a depth of 25 m. There you can get acquainted with the exposition of archaeological finds.

The Chufut-Kale Center is an area where you can see the ruins of the mosque, a catchment well and Durbe Janike-Han. The catchment well is a reservoir chopped into the rock where rain and thawed water is assembled. The mosque was built in 1346 by the Board of Khan Janibek, most likely on the foundation of the early christian church. A little left - Mausoleum-Durba Janike Hagon (1437), daughter Khan Tahtamysh and the wife of Nogai Khan. Legends say that Janak died, bravely defending the fortress from the enemies, and Tohtamysh himself ordered to build a tomb, the other - that she fell in love with the Genoese, was pursued by his father and rushed into the abyss.

• Secret Gate.
• Tick-ku
• Mausoleum-Durba Janike Han

Important

• Lifting up the mountain requires time and endurance, so it is better to stock in advance with enough water.
• In front of the Assumption cave monastery, the original oats kvass sell.

Information

The address:Chufut-Kale, 2.5 km east of Bakhchisaraya, 37 km from Simferopol

Working hours:mon-Sun 09.00-17.00

Price:190 rub. Adult ticket, 95 rubles. childish

cafe "Chufut-Kale" at the final stop

How to get:minibuses before lifting on Chufut-Kale and cave monastery by train or bus to Bakhchisaraya (1.5 hours), then march. 2 from the railway station to the final, then on foot on the way upwards through the Uspensky cave monastery (3 km)

It is impossible to know the Crimea, if not to visit Chufut-Kale - many travelers speak about it. Even if you already know what cave cities are, this will lead you to a complete delight.

Located 2.5 km from Bakhchisaraya, this city is one of the most well-preserved monuments. medieval history. Proud and impregnable fortress saved many lives in one time. Moreover, the construction itself is interesting, its architecture and an incredible atmosphere, preserved here to our times.

The history of the cave city Chufut-Kale

The history of Chufut-Kale is completely unusual. The name is translated as the "Jewish Fortress", which already suggests on reflections - where in the Crimea such difficulties are. But the fact is that the settlement was equipped with Karaimami - a group of followers of Karaizm's religion, which is interpreted as a Judaist sect. Settling in these places in the XII century, the Karais expanded the settlement, strengthening it with all possible reliability. Chufut-Kale was the capital, the main center of the ethnic group.

It is very interesting that the Karais were completely equal in rights with Orthodox Christians, had freedoms and privileges as opposed to Jews living in the Western provinces - a rigid number of restrictions were made there. Karaimi could buy land, they were not subject to such excessive taxes and therefore became wealthy industrialists, owned land.

The occurrence of Chufut-Kale dates back to the V-VI centuries, then this city was called Fulla. Inhabited him mostly Alans, then the city took the goldside attacks and decorating the gate with precious stones, renamed the village to Gevher-Kala. For a short expectation, the city in 1299 leaves the Nogai Army in 1299, which not only successfully seized the Earth, but also plundered the city to the ground. And only the XIV century brings a small calm of the locality, when Karai come here and gradually begin to settle the land and the city. When the Crimean Hanice entered into the era of his power, Chufut-Kale was already almost completely incented with Karaimi. But this did not prevent Hadji I a hero to make the official Khan bid from the city and transfer the main capital here.

And here on the historical scene there is a female figure. Janger Hagon was one of the daughters of Tokhtamysh and established himself as the wisest government, which was riding in Mecca. It was she who provided a rebellious Khan in the city, which allowed him to reflect the attacks of Crimean Emirov. But soon, the benefactor dies and Haji I Gary begins to seek protection from Lithuanian princes, and the cave city of Chufut-Kale finally passes under the power of Crimean Khanate.

It remains to live quite a few karaims and Crimeans. The residents impose a ban to leave the city and settle somewhere else, so the village gradually turns into a kind of prison. It contained very high-ranking prisoners of war, as well as the state coin yard - good fortifications of the city and small availability allowed not to be afraid of robbery and attacks.

After the territory of the Crimea joined Russia, all the restrictions from the inhabitants were removed, now Karais could move freely and gradually moved to other cities. Cave city Chufut-Kale gradually empty, the fortress walls began to wind, and after a while here it was possible to find only a seven of the caretaker. Store loyalty to the scorched plateau until the very end, the Karai was still unable to withstand all their lives and finally left this terrain.

That's how the powerful capital ended: she was not captured, did not destroy the hordes of the warriors - she worsted herself. I detected and gradually zaşarel. Today there is a lot of ruins, but still there are perfectly preserved buildings, for which you can judge the rotation of the fortress walls, the population and the formidable power of the caraims who inhabited Chufut-Kale during his heyday.

Fortress Chufut-Kale, what to watch?

Start an inspection stands with Kuchuk-Kapu, this is a small gate that is also called southern. Climbing them will have to be kept expensive, pretty destroyed, but it has not become less difficult. You will not see Kuchuk-Kapu from the road, this is a secret goal, practically not visible, while they will not hug on them.

Massive doors from oak were in their time the durable hardware and constituted part of the fortification structure - the defensive wall was adjacent to them, laid out of the lump of the untreated stone. It is bonded by a lime solution, which under the weight of time and gravity stones turned into a monolith. The thickness of the wall was up to 1 m, the height is up to 5 meters, and the upper part of the wall element is also equipped with braces for the best sight and shooting from guns.

These gates are a real trap for the enemy: the approach to them covers the defensive wall masonry, running under the wall itself, and it turns out that the army approached the gate by a sideways - an unprotected side, which gave the opportunity to defamibilities to water the enemy with boiling water, pour stones and arrows.

It is easy to break the gate because of the steep descent before the entrance and steep turning of the trail. And even if the enemy broke into the gate, he immediately fell into a narrow rock corridor, specially cut down to fall under the defenders.

Caves

Be sure to explore a dozen caves, located in front of the wall in three tiers, are the oldest facilities. And the travelers who entered the gate will meet more caves along the whole road, also forming several tiers. Interestingly, all 32 caves have obvious differences in architecture, finishing and quality. Passing them, you begin to understand that there was no special plan for the builders, the goals and owners of the caves are different, and if you look a little, then the remains of steps are noticeable in the rock, once this staircase, apparently combined all the caves.

This is what is not preserved at all, so this is a tomb and church with painting on the walls. About the fact that there was such a mention in the literature, but today at least some kind of paints are no longer possible. As historians say, probably the cave, where there was a church and a tomb, subsequently used as part of a defensive structure and therefore was rebuilt, looted. But if you go through the path through the mainland cliff, then you can find the western part of the city.

Karai-Kenassy

Karai Kenassa is a real miracle, accessible today to examine travelers. To see the Kenassa - Temples, you need to go through another street, and it is better to immediately go to the southern plateau. Here the ruins of buildings are located on the left, but the fence is going on the right, which just closes the larger Kenassu, built in the XIV century and the small, erected in the XIII century. Interestingly, the second temple was built by Karaimi, who came from Mugula and captured building stones with them. That the Kenassas are built by the Karaimami say the balls - this device, the same in both temples, was no longer used by the population, who lived in the territory of the Crimea in those times.

Both buildings are located behind the wall, where the wicket is cut with a threshold from the white marble slab, which is a much ancient cave city. Great Kenass is complemented by a stone tank located next to the fence. A small plums from the bowl gives reason to assume that this is Mikva for performing ritual ablutions, mandatory before entering the temple. And small niches with benches, apparently served as a believing place for the time of prayer.

The historians constructed by small Kenasso are referred to the time when the champion community has already left the Mugula and completely moved to the cave city of Chufut-Kale. Leaving the htized, the karais on their shoulders were taken out not only the building stone, but also all the equipment for the temple, which was supposed to build in a new place. Easy and modest dimensions of small Kenassy talk about her daily destination. There were daily prayers, community meetings. The most important fact: all the decisions were taken by Karaimi together, but the main word remained for spiritual mentors.

Big (national team) Kenass served exclusively for solemn events - festive services. Representing the Basilica, which is enjoyed by a column gallery, decorated with arches, Kenass has decorations from embossed sockets. The general device is similar to all the synagogues as they were and remained since the time of the Jerusalem Temple: entrance with Azar, where community leaders were going before starting service or to discuss some religious issues.

For some remnants you can recreate the decoration of the temple. It was necessary to enter here without shoes, inside the floors lay carpets, and the ceiling was decorated with elegant chandeliers from copper and crystal. Today, there are only rings for fastening. Famous gasels (jugs for acoustic effects) were mounted in the walls, and the shelves and cabinets stored utensils for the ceremonial.

The Kenassa Hall is divided:

* The first room is intended for old people, people in the traw - they were allowed to sit during prayer.

* A balcony with a separate entrance was a place for the female half of the community.

* The second hall was allotted for parishioners-men, here they twice a day committed on her knees or standing prayers.

* The third Hall for Altar-Gahala, where the main shrine of Kenassa - Torah, stealing boards with images of Jehovah, the semots and two ostrich eggs.

A little simpler, but absolutely similar was the decoration of a small Kenassa. But after examining them you can go to the courtyard of the street and see the preserved building of the printing house, the opening date of which is 1731. It is believed that this is one of the oldest printing houses and in the Bakhchisarai Museum there are books that came out from here.

Water collection

The catchment well is rather tribute to human patience than an architectural novelty. It is known that the Chufut-Kale has always had a water problem, so people had to think about how to store moisture, flowing down from the mountains and falling from the sky. The reservoir that gave up in Chufut-Kale is a well, which gathered absolutely any moisture stream, all the approaches are built in such a way that the rain jets that collected in the stream even at the average gate still turned out to be inside the bowl. Next to the well there is a pair of sumps, too carved in stone, where water defended and became suitable for the needs of the community.

The view that the only source of water supply the Chufut-Kale Well is not quite true, the water was delivered here from the surrounding sources, putting her on the donkeh.

Chufut Kale Mosque

If you walk a little in the direction of the North-West, you can see the ruins of the famous Chufut-Kale mosque. Ruins of the mosque today are of interest mostly for archaeologists, but only imagine how it was: an elegant building from marble, blinded by beauty.

The processed marble was always used for the most significant structures - the mosque just treated such. Made in the stylistic features of the early Byzantine architecture, the mosque was equipped with the capitals, but the most interesting thing is that the orientation of the structure has changed! The Eastern Wall has lost the arched semicircle, becoming deaf, but the South was supplemented with a niche. The year of the structure of the mosque is considered to be the beginning of the XIV century, during the reign of Janibek, and a little later, Hadji-Garya reconstructed the structure and made an inscription for descendants over the entrance.

But the tomb of Janica-Hagon has preserved pretty good. It is located a little closer to the rippled shore and the mausoleum very well endured the onslaught of time and natural elements. The monumental structure in the form of an oct is an excellent sample of the Seljuk architecture.

Decorated with filigree carving ribs, portal, arched entrance and, of course, tombstone with Arabic inscription - all this makes a stunning impression on the traveler. Janike Hagon is not only the daughter of the Great Tukhtamysh, but also the spouse of one-to-one - a very powerful Nogai Emir. Distinguishing prudence, kindness and inflexibility, this woman was the only chance that the descendants of the One would rule the steppe.

But, unfortunately, the unit was weak and ran to Timur - the ruler of Samarkand. Tukhtamysh kills the mother Janike Hanoch and thereby destroys relations with her daughter.

Very soon, the woman remains older in the genus Tukhtamysh and takes on the board by the Kyrcca Baylik. It remains only to be surprised by the mind and insight of this "weak" woman who made a bet on Genghisidov, supporting the idea of \u200b\u200bcreating an independent Crimean Khanate, which, in the end, and reigned in these lands for a long time. The name of Janake Hanoi covered the legends, songs were greeted about her and said that many famous her husbands sought beauty, but none of them shone the mind and could not stand next to the famous daughter of the famous Takhtamysh.

Gate Orta Coupu

When the mausoleum will stay behind, the view of the travelers appears the middle defensive wall with the gate of the orta-bubble. There is nothing particularly noteworthy in the structure: five meters of thickness - the impressive power of the wall, which was located on the plateau from one edge to another.

So the old and new city occurs, and the layout is considered very difficult for that time. The wall was not monolithic and consisted of two parts of 60 meters of the length, an average gate (orta-bubpa) is located at the dock. Interestingly, the construction initially was "puff pastry": an outer layer of limestone blocks up to 8 m high and a thickness of 5 m, and then 10 m.

Then there was a length of 65 meters long, completely worn in the rock base. The width of the RVA is 4 meters, the depth of more than 2 meters and when this niche was filled with rainwater, it was very complex for intersection. The ditch did not reach the northern cliff, climbing the vial gate, which was invisible for enemies.

Moreover, the gate also was pregnant with small formats, "total" by 12 meters. No matter how good the average wall is, after the construction of Eastern, it became unnecessary, but the space was served to expand the construction and it was here that the whole cave ensemble of Chaus-Kobasi appears.

Chaushes-Kobasi is not a prison at all, as some tourists think, this is just the same cave, according to which you can judge the wealth of wealth of wealthy caraims. A huge and pretty gloomy structure was the basement of a very rich family. I look a little more attentively, it becomes clear that the bottom is the bedrooms and household zones with a ceiling height of more than three meters, but the upper is the frontal halls with a good view from the window (on the Ashlama-Dere beam) and the ceiling height is 3.5 meters . Moreover, the upper room is "modest" by the lower area, only 48 squares compared with 75.5 m2. Not bad "Apartment" for one family!

But the prison is a little further, almost on the edge of the cliff. Presenting a huge room with a pair of small windows, this is a real stone bag. There were only two levels: upper and lower. At the top were kept, apparently, temporary prisoners, but more serious prisoners went down down. The small lower room has a small hole, which performs the role of the window, from where the influx of air and light occurs. The constipation was only at the top, the bottom overlapped with a table from the tree.

It is believed that the prison was intended for high-ranking prisoners, for which it was possible to get a good redemption. It is known that at different times there were Lithuanian ambassador, Hetman Pototsky, Vasily dirty, Prince Romodanovsky, even V.B. Sheremetev did not escape the fate. Stretched the Voyage just under a year and only then decided to start diplomatic discusses of ransom. During this time, the authorities changed 4 Khan, each of whom put forward her, each time more stringent requirements. Someone asked Kazan and Astrakhan, but still they agreed on the "Malaya Dani" out of 60 thousand rubles in gold (a reasonable amount even at that time) and released the prisoner. Vasily Borisovich returned in the most severe condition. Not only that there was no light in the chamber, and the place is equipped immediately, the shackles were not filmed, fed the injignment. Semi-axes, severely sick and the weak prisoner lived at the freedom of only six months, the body of the mighty once a person could not withstand imprisonment in a blind stone bag.

https://youtu.be/xa8o1k7dllq

A little further travelers opens the Manor Firkovich. This is one of famous people, Karaaymsky scientist, who lived here until the end of his life. Abraham Samuelovich Firkovich was considered a rather successful person, which serves as a confirmation of a renovated house. Wooden set of ceiling, two floors, one (lower) for household needs, and top for housing, wooden wall decoration - today you can see exactly what Karaizians lived. In the courtyard of the manor there is a housekeeping, a mandatory well for collecting water. Interestingly, in the estate of Firkovich, the fluid in the well came from cleft in the Karst Cave, and the well was equipped with a gate with a bucket. It turns out that even if the city was besieged, the inhabitants would not remain without water. But soon these sources dried out, and the lifeful moisture had to be delivered from other places.

Sitting closer to the zone facing the east, you can see the defensive wall and Bick-Kapu - a big gate. They are called large because it was through this entrance to the city delivered supplies, firewood. Behind the goal in Chufut-Kale began a large market. It turns out that the Eastern defensive wall as if closes the city. The length of the structure is 128 meters, there are angular tower buildings and a central screw tower. The wall was rebuilt, completed, equipped with cannon Ambrazubo, and northern part He was supplemented by brush with braces. The gate was a massive wooden shutter, all braided with iron strips.

Very interesting stove of marble, made on top of the gate - the image of Rogatina and the shield was considered the coat of arms of the city. Thus marked the herds of livestock, Skarb - Tamga had all the Turks submitted to the older or respected births of Tatar families. And, of course, there was a ditch. Single near the northern piece of wall structures and double in front of the rest of the rest. Single ditch reached a depth of 9 meters, and on the bottom it was possible to walk to the Ashlam-Deres Valley.

Canyon Chufut Cal

Canyon Chufut-Kale - unique place Also because there is a valley's Josfat. This is the territory where the final court should take place for legends. Named Valley with the name located in Jerusalem is not in vain, the similarities of both squares are amazing.

A little terrible to enter the arch, because the city of the Dead begins for her. The infinite number of tombstones, acknowledged Calligraphy of Hebrew Messages, the trail passes around the territory from the West and goes to the east, and it is impossible today to determine how many graves are buried in time and went to the ground, thickets. It is known that earlier there were several oaks who were considered sacred (some lived to us), hacking the trees could not be and could therefore the cemetery received the name "Balta-Tiimez" - "Ax can not touch."

https://youtu.be/v-bej6h5qls.

If you strengthen the spirit, you can consider the tombstones, they are very diverse and many of them are whims. One-, coughye, plates horizontally or vertically located, steles, obeliski, monuments, kerenotaphs ... The whole story of Chufut-Kale is really presented. It is worth noting that the burial here was considered honorable and later the deceased began to give a little more honors, decorated places of resting sockets, ornaments, expensive stones and wood.

But to see the most perfect structure of Chufut-Kale Siege Well, you need to go a little further. Interesting the history of the opening of this very well. At the end of the XIX century, inspecting the Chufut-Kale, Canyon and other structures, archaeologists have discovered an incredible system of underground structures, which could not be in the fortress of such a rank! The system's memorandums are in legends, but no one believed in the system itself, but the discovery confirmed that Karaizians could exist in a deposited city, for "near the small gate there was an underground stroke to the source at the foot of the cliff."

When and by whom the well was created unknown, information about him was military secret and undoubted that only a few Karais were devoted to this secret, therefore, the information that came to the present day were so valuable.

The monumentality of the structure is striking: vertically outgoing down the well of the section up to 2.2 meters stretches for 27 meters, and already at a depth of 25 meters to it suits the square shape gallery with dimensions of 2 * 2 meters, the hollow rising to the height of 30 meters! Moreover, throughout this gallery there are steps, but not yet cleared to the end a small move, leading a little away from the site of the gallery connections with a well. There is a perpendicular well, located below the gallery and is a spacious mine with a cross section of 5 meters, descending from the portal deep into the well.

Not only stalactites are indicated about the antiquity of the structure, but also rock inscriptions, applied by Karaites, Aramaian italic or in Latin. Very interesting and paintings on the rock walls, but it is better not to tell about them, but to see and breathe an aroma of ancient times. Moreover, it is not possible here - the whole room as if it came from the depths of centuries, legends, where heroes of the endangered troops, heroes falling under the ground and falling asleep for centuries, the heroes, then rise with non-merene and health.

How to get to Chufut-Kale

1. From Evpatoria by car on the route P25 to T0104, after the city of Saki, turn and go along the T0104 / T0106 highway, and after tobacco, turn toward Bakhchisaraya and go to the ring. Then on Zhdanov Street on ul. Rocky and pointers.

2. From Simferopol on the highway to Sevastopol and also to Bakhchisaraya through the street. Zhdanov and Lenin on the rocky and according to the signs.

3. From the Evpatoria bus station there is a bus and a minibus on Bakhchisaray without transplants. And from the railway station in Bakhchisaraye, you can leave by bus number 2 to Stop Starler and pass half an hour on foot signposts.

4. From the Simferopol, you first need to get to Bakhchisaraya by train, bus and then on the bus number 2 before the Stop Starler, then on foot.

How to get by car from Simferopol (map)

How to get by car from Sevastopol (map)

How to get by car from Evpatoria (map)

But to explore Bakhchisaray and Chufut-Kale, how to know a little, you also need a mode of operation.

The cave works every day from 9.00 to 19.00, but the box office closes at 17.30. True, on the southern gate you can buy tickets until 19.30, to the eastern until 19.00.

Remember that if the group has 15 and more people, then the excursion service is free!

The cave city of Chufut-Kale in the Crimea is one of the most interesting places on its territory, overshadowing all numerous, which is so famous for the peninsula. Due to its good conservation and broad fame, it for many decades is the subject of close attention not only to tourists, but also scientists opening new details of its existence.

Most of the preserved monuments of ancient architecture located here represent a huge value and marks themselves a whole era in the history of the Crimea, making it an indispensable link in the development of local cultures and peoples. Now it is one of the most visited tourist facilities of the Bakhchisarai district, except that, where, where it is never unworthy and all the more boring.

Where is the set of caves in the Crimea?

The historical object is in the southern part of the peninsula, on the southwestern tip of the Crimean Mountains. It is 2.5 km from Bakhchisaraya and 58 km from Strainel. At all nearby spread.

Chufut Calais on the map of Crimea

The emergence and meaning of the cave city

The story knows many transformations and unexpected turns. One of them is the recent discovery when scientists managed to establish that the current tourist object is the ancient fortress of Fulla, for a long time considered an invention of ancient authors. In the photo, the cave city of Chufut-Kale is now calm and serene, but hundreds of years ago he was the arena of the most severe battles and political events playing a crucial role in the history of the whole Crimea.

The exact time of the base of the fortress city is definitely not clarified, presumably this is the V century of our era, but in reality it can be ancient for several centuries. It is known only that in the V-VI centuries. The population inhabited predominantly by Alans, he became a stumbling block to promote the Byzantines to the north, without allowing them to conquer the entire territory of the peninsula. During this period, under the name of Fulla, he was widely known for written sources of Chersonese, but with a decline of the latter disappeared from the pages of history and the legendary outpost of the Scebs, ready to Alans living in it.

After more than half a thousandths of oblivion and stupidity, Chufut-Kale again surfaced in the XII century as Kyrk-EP - the capital of the Principality of Kypchakov, who fought for independence with the Khana Golden Horde. In 1299, he seized him and plundered Hordean Emir Nogai, he was not destroyed, but after conquest began to quickly decline, and his population began to decline rapidly. It is not entirely clear why Kypchaki began to leave Kyrk-EP, but after 50 years, most of its inhabitants have already been karais, settled here with the permission of Khan Janbek.

The greatest value and heyday of the cave city of Chufut-Kale in Crimea reached in the XV century when he became the capital of the Crimean Yurt in 1421, and in 1428 independent of Handy's Hand. But at the same time, throughout the century, he remained the islane of the bloody struggle for the power between different representatives of the Gireev dynasty, while in 1502 Mengylli Gury I did not suffer a residence in the founded. On this, the greatness of the settlement from the caves ended, but still for several centuries it was considered the most important of the Khan fortresses, although Karai remained the main population. how locality He stopped existence in the second half of the XIX century, when he finally left the last residents.

What is interesting Chufut-Kale to visit?

Now the cave fortress is a real treasury for archaeologists on one side and tourists - on the other. Numerous, perfectly preserved internal and ground facilities Chufut-Kale - this is like a stone book on history ancient City. By type of development and clear layout, you can easily determine all periods of its development, elevations, falls and the prevalence of ethnic groups living here.

In the southern part of the city complex are located ancient traces Human residence here belonging to the first centuries of our era. In most, these are cave structures, where it is not difficult to distinguish the features of temples, residential and economic premises. There are only more than 150 caves and grottoes of different sizes and shapes that also differ also at the thoroughness of the processing of walls and openings.

All these premises are similar to bee honeycombs, since they are cut down in a rock over another in several levels, something resembling apartment buildings. Archaeologists talk about the presence of in this place and ground structures, but they are all destroyed to the ground, the only whole building is a nonsense-khan mausoleum, built by a thousand years later the cave ridge.

In the eastern part there are later buildings related to the XIV-XVIII centuries, mostly terrestrial, mostly residential buildings and Karai-Kenasi. The new city is separated from the old powerful fortress wall,
Achieving 10 m in height - with four massive, dilapidated towers and arched orta kapu.

Among, relatively speaking, new meets and much more ancient facilities, such as mysterious burial consisting of multi-screen stone slabs. But the brightest landmark of the cave city of Chufut-Kale is helplessly considered by the Mausoleum of Janichana-Khan, where the dust of the daughter of Khan Tahtamysh is resting.

I told you about the Palace of the Crimean Khans in Bakhchisarae and about the history of love, which there occurred and which was so shocked by "our all" Pushkin, that he wrote his poem about her - "Bakhchisarai fountain".

But the glorious city of Bakhchisarai can surprise you another interesting place. This is the cave city of Chufut-Kale. It is possible to reach it from the Khan Palace (and you need). That's how we did it.

The cave city of Chufut-Kale.

Coming out of the Khan Palace, we go on foot to the next sights of Bakhchisaraya. Near the city are also located Svyato-Asspensky male monastery and medieval fortress Chufut-Kale .

On the way, I'm trying to have a good photo to do a little to penetrate the atmosphere of the place. In this minus organized excursions - you can't "hang up" in some kind of place you like, consider everything more closely.

So, I literally run to the souvenir shop for a couple of minutes, but I do not have time to consider even half of the goods. Only a couple of frames to do:

And still managed to lag behind the guide. The husband pulls me on the street from the souvenir shop, and we catch up with a group running. In general, it was not particularly hurry. If you already ended up in the Khansky Palace, then it is hardly getting lost. In the direction - to Chufut-Kale - there is a lot of people. The fact is that on the way to Chufut-Kale, there is another important place, this Holy Assumption Cave Monastery b

The monastery we leave on the way back. Because the clouds are condensed in the sky, and began to drip a small rain. Therefore, we strive to get into the Chufut-Kale as soon as possible, while the weather has not spoiled at all.

Moving monastic possessions, we continue to go under the rain on the mountain. The asphalt track ends, and then the road turns into a rocky path.

Therefore, my friendly advice, citizens and especially citizen - wear not just comfortable, and well-sitting shoes . No shale - pick up your fingers about the stones! No heels or platforms, otherwise the ankle dislocations are guaranteed. Only sneakers and others like them.

Overbesting tents with souvenirs are used on both sides of the trading. But it is better to look at your feet ... go along such a trail, according to my feelings no more than a kilometer.

After that, we get to the open plateau:

And there are already visible outlines of the cave city. Therefore, curiosity makes us walk in vigor. And rain meanwhile is increasing. And some ladies from our group, without bringing the stony trail, turn back - they obviously did not fit the shoes for such a walk ...

And we are approaching the southern goal, for which the whole world of underground and ground structures are tucked ... Once the enemy warriors, getting on a narrow patch before the gate, turned out to be like a palm for the defenders of the fortress and fell under their sighting fire ... But it was once , And now the goal is the box office and you can enter the Chufut-Kale completely calm, buying a ticket for 200 rubles.

History of the city.

I will not tire you with detailed retelling of a centuries-old history of Chufut-Kale, friends. But still a few words, how this city arose and what events took place in it, it is worth saying. Because without it, it will not be clear what kind of place and why many tourists seek to get into it.

Some believe that the city has arisen in the V-VI centuries as a fortified settlement on the border of the Byzantine possessions. According to others, the fortified settlement arose here in the X-XI centuries. In any case, despite its ancient age, this cave city is the most well-preserved from all such cities in the Crimea.

The earliest written sources that report it are dated only by the XIII-XVII centuries. At this time, the fortification wears the Turkic name and called Kyrk-Yer ("Earth of the Kyrkov", Turk.), Or Kyrk-OR ( "Forty fortifications", Türk.), Or, not excluded, Kyrk-EP ( "Forty Zesetin", Turk.). Karai, who consider Chufut-Kale with their generic nest, find the most right name Jail Calea ("Double Fortress", Turk.; Options: Chuf Calais, Chift Cale). However, on the maps and in the books, in most cases, a distorted writing and meaning was recorded, in fact, an erroneous version of toponym - Chufut-Kale ("Jewish Fortress", Turk.)

At an early stage of the city's existence, its main population was Alans - the most powerful of Iranian condominant tribes. They began to penetrate the Crimea with II century. n. e. Setting up in the mountainous Crimea, Alans accepted Christianity. In 1299, the Tatar Ord of Emir Noota made another raid on Crimean peninsula. Among other robbed cities were also Kyrk-OR. Capturing the city, Tatars posted their garrison in it. At the turn of the XIV-XV centuries. Ahead of the eastern fortifications of the fortifications of Tatars was settled by Karaim-craftsmen, which to protect their settlement built a second defensive wall. So originated new part cities.

The first Crimean Han Haji Gary , appreciating the fortress, in the XV century. I turned the old part of the city into my fortified residence. She and later shelted the Khans during the civil worker, was a reliable shelter during their fight against the Golden Horde for independence. After the defeat of the Golden Horde, the Crimean Khanate was noticeably intensified, and the value of Kyrk-ORA as a fortress fell, Crimean Khan Mengly-Giren moved to the new capital - Bakhchisarai. Old city I remained a kind of Citadel Bakhchisaraya and the place of imprisonment of noble prisoners.

After the departure of Tatars, Karaia lived here for more than 200 years. Having accepted the Jewish religion, the Karais were followers of the Hebrew Old Testament Bible. Over time, the word "Karaise" became an ethnonym - the name of the nation.

After the conquest of the Crimea and the inclusion of it in Russia, the Karais declared themselves by its adherents. The royal government allowed Karaimam to live throughout the Empire. From that time, Chufut-Kale began to be allowed. Residents left the plateau with its harsh living conditions and moved to Bakhchisarai, Evpatoria and other cities. So by the middle of the XIX century. The city was completely empty.

However, the Chufut Kale has still been preserved architectural monumentsreflecting the various stages of the history of this city.

And under the increasing rain, we went to inspect them. The first thing the caves underwent our inspection (all-things are the cave city!). Feel yourself cave people Wished everything. It looked like this:

One-room cave "Malossamed", apparently:

Fascinating to climb on the caves, I report to you. But it is worth getting out of the first caves and go on, up the street cobblestones - there too have something to see ...

In fact, there are also completely civilized buildings.

Some of these buildings are Kenassa. Kenassa is a Karai-Mella House, i.e. Church in our. That's how it looks like.

We go into the courtyard:

Next on our path we are found ruins of the mosques . Crimea for his history many times left under the influence of some nations and fell under the influence of others. Therefore, on the same block of land, traces of different civilizations and cultures can be seen. From the mosque remained pieces of walls and places where the columns were.

At this time, the rain watered both from the bucket, and the best thing that was able to come up with a note technician for our group, to hide under the arms of the mausoleum-tomb. To wait for the rain and find out The history of the Great Woman, who was buried in this tomb.

History Jana-Hanoi, Crimean Jeanne d'Ark

Mausoleum Janike-Hoic (And in the photo it is he) - this is a monumental eight-marched construction with a high portal. In the depths of the Mausoleum, on the step of the elevation - the tomb with the Arabic Vysusu: "This is the tomb of the famous state-owned nonsensejan-khan, the daughter of Tukhtamysha Khan, who died the month of Ramazan 841 Hizras" (1437-38). According to the adopted legend Janike-Hoic He was the head of the thousandth garrison of the cave city and died, defending the city during the siege. At the place of death, the daughter of Tukhtamysh-Khan erected by Mausoleum.

There is I. The real story of this woman. It has less pattical and lyrics, but it's more clear from it than this woman earned respect for himself. And this story is as follows.

The owner of Kyrk-Ora, Khan Kirkel Hadjibek, being a vassal of the Golden Horde, issued his daughter Tojibek for the Golden Tordyan Khan Takhtamysh. She became his third wife, and from this marriage was born Janica (Nanacedzhan). Around 1397, Tukhtamysh Khan issued a young daughter for Emir of the White Horde, the founder of the Nogai Horde, Eating . He was referred to him a big future. But EDGE, Nadezhda and Support Takhtamysh, betrayed a loving test, turning on the side of the former patron saint, Timur. In the seizure, Yaresti Tukhtysh killed no less beloved Togybeck, Mother Janica.

Having matured Janica in 1416 with a magnificent retinue pilgrimage to Mecca and became a famous person in the Muslim world (yes, nothing changes, friends, under the Luno: "Looking around" in time in a cult place - and you are a star, as they say). In 1420, the son of Tokhtamysh and his beloved Brother Janica, Kady Berdy Khan led the troops through ITIL (Volga) on the Eating. The battle took place on the r. Yik. Both commander did not return from the battlefield.

Janike Hagon remains eldest in the genus Tichtamysh, thereby having independence and political weight, as they would say. But she did not fight for power in the Horde, but, being the government of Kyrk-ora, applied his political influence on the fact that the Crimean ulus of the Golden Horde became an independent state. Without pretending to power, she favorably supported Hadzhi-Hagiria, who became the founder of the Crimean Khanate, the ancestor of the gyreyev dynasty, which was transferred to the residence from Salthat to Kyrk-OR. Here in the capital of the newly excited Crimean Khanate and died, Janok-Khanum, aged fifty years later, in 1437, she was buried with the honors of the Great Human Downturn.

Here we heard this story in the silence of the arches of her Mausoleum. But ours tourist group I did not disturb the peace of this lady: in 1940, clearing and opening the crypt was established that the tomb was repeatedly broken, so the burial was not detected in it.

Here's the role of personality in history. And the role of Muslim wife in the history of a whole city. So, there are women in any villages ...

And rain between the verse. And we went further to explore Chufut-Kale. Fortunately, the road that led further allowed to do it - over the roadway, according to which a muddy stream was treated, a normal sidewalk was erected! Take an example, mayors of modern cities!

Soon the arch was drawn in front of us. This arch is located in the middle defensive wall.

The wall divides the city to the old and new one. Well, okay. that all this is conditional.

On the right again, some kind of preserved structure is visible. This is the Manor Firkovich. Comrade Abraham Firkovich was a famous Karai-historic and archaeologist.

Firkovic lived here until the middle of the 19th century, well, after him, there was a caretaker Chufut-Kale.

You can look at the wall and there it opens such a wonderful look.

Well, a real surprise of this day has become a musical pause for us in one of the stone dungeons:

There we went down the whole group, with the sounds of tender music ... It seemed as if this cunning spirit of the dungeon lures us into their possessions. But everything turned out to be much more interesting: in the underground room we met a pretty guy with an unusual guitar, from which he removed such melodic sounds ...

Acoustics indoors are ideal, oddly enough. Because actually it is a basement of one of the prosperous houses, albeit with three windows. We are standing as awesome, listen to music, everyone thinks about her. Energy site penetrates thoughts. No fuss. Nothing superfluous in my head. Only the Duma of Eternity ...

Moreover, the view from the windows of this very basement is very impressive ... and the basement itself is rather big one, bunk.

Delivered to me, not vegetables from the beds kept here ... I see it clearly: standing along the walls of the vessels with Crimean wine, and closer to the evening, quietly by all households, sitting here the owner of the house with a couple of faithful friends and discusses the latest city news ...

Having arrived on the dungeons, we climbed upstairs.

In the direction of the Mausoleum, the next tourist group (apparently, they also have already lost rain somewhere ...) Well, and we drove hot tea with the Crimean herbs from thermos, put forward in the way back, to the southern goal.

And there we still came across such an unusual group of "tourists":

But this couple lagging behind everyone:

Apparently detained, making the "selfie" on the background of the caves)))

In general, Chufut-Kale impressed us. The place, of course, is very energetically charged. If you do not bind the departure time excursion bus, we would wander here longer.

Now our path was lying in the Holy Assumption cave monastery.

Holy Assumption cave monastery.

So, the monastery is Orthodox. Again, several versions for the time of its foundation exists. According to one version, it was based on the border of the 8th and 9th century and was practically the center of Christianity in the Crimea. At that time, the Crimea was under the Tatar influence, Christians had to be very difficult, they were oppressed in every way, they had tremendous unbearable taxes. And they were hiding from this oppression in the mountain clefts. Then for a while the monastery stopped his activities, but in the 14th century he was revived. Avoiding the defeat during the Turkish invasion, the Assumption Monastery became the residence of Metropolitan Gotfish. However, the financial situation of the monastery was disadvantaged, which forced to seek help from the Moscow Great Princes and Kings. And from the 15th century

Others believe, one hundred monastery appeared somewhere in the 15th century. But be that as it may, the Assumption Monastery was the main stronghold of the religious life of the Orthodox population of the Crimea, starting from 15 and up to the 18th century. He quite successfully survived Russian-Turkish wars. In the Crimean War in 1854-1855 in the cells, the house of pilgrims and other buildings of the monastery was located hospital. The dead from the Russian Academy of Sciences buried on the monastery cemetery.

But he did not save from Soviet power. As the first sources say, "in 1921 the monastery was closed, the property was plundered, the monks are shot." Whoever doubted ... During the Patriotic War, a military hospital was placed on the territory of the Assumption Monastery, and after the war they opened the most real psychuclearheread. And only in 1993 the monastery was reborn again.

In order to see the monastery itself, it will have to work a little - upstairs goes up steep stairs. But the appearance of from there opens very decent:

Photos inside we did not do, it is prohibited there. But I will describe. Inside the temple is very small. There are a lot of people. One thread goes upstairs inside the temple, others down - to the exit. The main placement of the temple is small. I was struck by the ceiling of this small room: it is a stone, and it can be seen that it was diligently died, since it is all dotted with some special bit. Directly in the center, of course, the iconostasis, and behind him the altar. And if you look right, there is a small room where the icon of Mother of God Bakhchisarai, called Panagia.

There, people came in turn, silently stood at the icon and silently went out. And right here, at the exit of the room, I was sitting the brushes of Granny and to everyone (!) It was a request for a donation. Honestly, it corded me. She would sat silently, or somewhere already on the descent, and you look - it would be wrong ... I can't find the right thing ... Purchase, something ... And so, a person leaves, immersed in his thoughts, and here he is traveled - Give-serve on the temple! I somehow finished such straightness ... or am I too sensitive?

In general, I was more impressed by the outdoor species of the monastery. Saving stone eaves, icons drawn straight on the rocks ... It was the last shot point. We make a couple of pictures (and more time we have no time). And go back to the parking place of our bus.

There is also a parking lot for numerous cars, there is a cafe and even a hotel.

And we are prudently ordered lunch in one of these cafes. Which is ready for our return. We wish you a pleasant appetite (and with this, after a 3-hour walk under the rain there are no problems!) And we take for food

We go on the return journey and satisfied. The bus smoothly rides, the guide tells ... I fall into sleep.

In general, we will summarize this excursion. Chufut-Kale unequivocally see. The rise in the mountain is not so terrible (after he, after he, it seemed to be a lot of walk), just with very young children, probably, it's not worth climbing there. Although children are also different ...

About the monastery impression was somehow on the residual principle. Well, if we consider that in the morning I also looked, then this is understandable - emotional overload takes place.

And in general, Crimea continued to surprise, conquer us with his beauty and ... Stop. This is in the following posts. On this note, I will finish your story.

Before meeting on a blog!

Steep slopes of the plateau where cave city Chufut-Kale Look impregnable. And only from the East here leads a thin path. Several houses that are survived here, from the bottom similar to the nests of the oscillations settled on the flat top.

The cave city is located on the plateau of the mountain range, which dominates three deep valleys. The medieval fortress city is located about 2.5 km from Bakhchisaraya.

Past the Holy Assumption Monastery (in the holy source of which we dial the water - after all, there is no one on the plateau) from the intersection of four valleys tourist trail leads us to K. ancient necropolonwhich completely overgrown with a crossyl and wildlife.

The total area of \u200b\u200bthe Chufut-Kale settlement is 46 hectares, of which 10 hectares accounted for urban development. Even today, when from building ancient city There is almost nothing left, street planning, urban quarters, fortress facilities are well traced on the territory of Chufut-Kale.

Stone city was left by the latest residents more than a century ago.

Chufut-Kale History

According to researchers, Chufut-Kale was built approximately in the V - VI centuries, as a fortified settlement on the border of the Byzantine possessions. Archaeological studies prove that already in the VI century. There were settlements of Alanov who were engaged in cattle breeding. A little later, a mining arose at the mountain plateau. Economic caves cut down in the body of the mountain well preserved to the present day, unlike wooden residential jumpers. Of the 16 cave cities of Crimea Chufut-Kale remained in the population longer than the rest.

The main events in the history of the cave settlement were unfolded during the fight for the power between the Crimean and Goldenopinian khans.

In 1299, he was taken by storming and looted by the army of Emir Noga.

Local rulers tried to conquer independence from the ruling top of the Golden Horde. In those days, a powerful fortified city, which became the Tatar fortress, was called Kyrk-EP.

In the XIII-XIV centuries, Chufut-Kale was the center of a small principality, and the Wassal of the Crimean Khanate Golden Horde.

The contender for the throne of the independent Crimean Khanate Hugi-Dellet-Gury, the investigator of the famous Gireev dynasty, has been placed here. This dynasty rules with Crimea for more than three centuries.

At this time, a female figure appears on the political arena. Janike Hagon was the daughter of Khan Tokhtamysh (which burned in Moscow in 1382).

History has kept the memory of it as a wise government, the heiress of the Genghisids, which made a hajj in Mecca. She granted rebellious Khan shelter in his childcare castle of Kyrk-OR. Support for Janik Hagon allowed Haji-Gire to resist Crimean Emirs.

Unfortunately, soon, Janik-Khan died and Khan had to look for protection at the Lithuanian princes (it is known that the young years of the future Khan spent at the courtyard of Prince Vitovt). In the end, with their help, Hadji Gary became the owner of the Crimean Khanate. And Kyrk-OR half a century remained the capital of this state.

The national composition of the population of the city was at this time quite diverse: Tatars - Warriors, Armenians - builders, Karai - artisans and merchants. Each ethnic group had its own districts and their temples.

The Muslim mosque was located on the main square, next to Mausoleum Janik-Khan. Orthodox Armenians prayed in their quarter, Karaimi - dissidents of the Jewish faith, who did not recognize the Talmud, read the Old Testament Bible in their prayer houses - Kenasi.

In the XIV century in the city began to shave the carims.

Tatars settled caraims behind the eastern wall of the fortress, where they built another fortification. Therefore, the settlement is sometimes called a double fortress (Chufut-Kale).

In some sources, Chufut-Kale also refers to the "Fortress of Jewels". Turkish traveler XVII century. Evia Chelebi wrote in the "travel book" that the walls and the gates of the city were decorated with precious stones.

After the Tatars left the fortress and settled in Bakhchisaraye, Karaima remained in the city. Kyrk-OR began to call Chufut-Kale (Jewish fortress).

On the territory of Chufut-Kale, the first typography in Crimea was organized in 1731. Books were printed in Hebrew and Karaization languages \u200b\u200band were mainly religious content.

After the entry of the Crimea, the restrictions on the accommodation of the Karaim and Crimekov were abolished, and they began to leave the fortress and move to other crimean cities Bakhchisarai, Simferopol, Evpatoria (the last inhabitants left Chufut-Kale in 1852). By the end of the XIX century, Chufut-Kale was completely abandoned by residents. The city is empty ...

What to see in Chufut-Kale

In the western part of the settlement, numerous economic premises are preserved, the ruins of the mosque and the Mausoleum of the daughter of the Goldenordinian Khan Tokhtamysh Janike-Hanya 1437 buildings. Two keenasi (Karaaym Temple) are also well preserved and one residential estate consisting of two houses. Kenassa are now restored by the Karai community, and in the residential estate there is an exposure that tells about the Karaim culture.

On the eastern side of the cave city there is a 128-meter defensive wall with towers and gates.

In addition to numerous caves that have a business appointment, a residential building has been preserved here. He belonged to Abraham Firkovichu - a Karaites scientist and a collector who collected materials on the history of caraims all his life.

It is better to start a familiarity with the city from the eastern gate. There is a large pool carved in the rock to the right of the gate in front of the serf wall. His people used to collect rainwater for drinking and domestic needs of animal husbandry.

On the southern wall there are high cliffs with combat caves chopped into four tiers and related. These caves in later times were used for domestic purposes.

When cleaning the territory adjacent from the east to the entrance to the gallery in Chufut-Kale, there was found in the kitchen ceramic pots at a depth of 40 cm from the surface. According to the preliminary examination, there were:

- Venetian gold coins - 29 pieces (1425-1430)

- Golden Dinar of Egyptian Sultanov - 1 pc (1425-1430)

- Silver coins - 4259 pieces (XIV-XV)

- Coins of the Genoese Crimean Engraving of the city of Kafa

- Engraving coin "Khan" (Khan Golden Horde is called Uzbek)

- Dirhemia

- Coins of Crimean Khanate with the engraving city of Kirk-Er.

This is the richest treasure of such coins found in the Crimean Peninsula, as well as in Eastern Europe and in the world. The treasure was transferred to the historic Museum of Simferopol.

1. Mausoleum Janger Hagon, daughter Khan Tokhtamysh.
2. Northern Slope Plateau.
3. Kenas Street.
4. Medium street.
5. Burunchak street.
6. Complex of economic caves. During the attack, they performed a defensive function.
7. Small Southern Gate. Kuchuk-kapu.
8. The remains of the Khan Palace, Mosque and Mint.
9. Small and big keenass - prayer houses of caraims.
10. South Slope Plateau.
11. The gate of the middle defensive wall is orta-kapu.
12. Manor Solomon Baima (Cha-Bore).
13. The rich manor with the Economic Caves of Chaus-Kobasi ("Chief Cave").
14. Bath residues.
15. Large (oriental) gates - Biyuk Capp.
16. Double ditch. According to an external rally, the road leads to the Ashlam tree valley.
17. The road to the cemetery in the Iosaphove Valley.
18. The remains of the foundations of the palace, built in 1897 for the reception of members of the imperial family name.
19. Residential manor of the XIX century, belonging to the Karaim historian A. Firkovich.
20. Entrance to the cave connected to a secret well.