Бахчисарай и окрестности

• BAKHCHISARAY AND THE SURROUNDING COUNTRYSIDE •

The old town of Bakhchisaray is cozily nested in one of the picturesque valleys in the southwestern Crimea at the foot of the quaint-looking rocks, which, like ancient sphinxes, safeguard the secrets of the centuries past. Its historical and cultural heritage attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year, the main tourist attraction being the Khan's Palace built by the bend of the Churuk-Su river in early 16th century at the dictation of the Khan Megly Geray. The palace complex was built during over two centuries and therefore its premises consist of the structures of different architectural styles and purposes. The earliest buildings are the luxuriant Aleviz portal, the Divan hall where all the crucial matters of the government of the Crimean Khanate were discussed, the Minor mosque, and the Khans' pray room. The atmosphere of the Summer pavilion, with its fine wall paintings, sun rays penetrating through the colored stained glass windows, and the gentle babble of the crystal streams of the marble fountain, is so relaxing. The palace's tiny gardens spotted with bright flower beds, surrounded by ivy-covered walls, and decorated with marble fountains, are truly charming. The Fountain yard captures one's attention with its Golden Fountain. But visitors are more interested to see another one, less decorated but much more famous the Tear Fountain built by the Iranian architect Omer at the dictation of Krym Geray Khan in memory of his lover, and later praised by the poets Mitskevitch and Pushkin. Next to the Fountain yard is the harem where wives and concubines awaited their master. The Khan's Palaces was originally surrounded by orchards and gardens which gave Bakhchisaray (as the Palace and the capital of the Crimean Khanate were later referred to) its name of the Palace in the middle of a garden'.

The remains of the cave towns and monasteries are still found on the flat hilltops in outside Bakhchisaray , such as Eski-Kermen, Tepe-Kermen, Kachi-Kalyon, Chelter, and Shooldan. The largest fortress of the Medieval Taurica was Mangoup, the capital of the Duchy of Feodoro. The best-preserved historical landmark is Chufut-Kale (the Jewish Stronghold) situated on the plateau to the east of Bakhchisaray. Walking along narrow and winding streets with surviving remnants of buildings here and there, seeing the ancient walls the Karaite kenassas (pray houses), and the mausoleum of the legendary governess Djanikeh-khanym leaves a lasting impression. The path to the 'city above' runs through the Uspensky Monastery (The Holy Assumption Monastery), one of the oldest in Crimea which was founded in the 14th century on the site of the epiphany of the icon of the Holy Virgin.

The unique heritage of Bakhchisaray will give you a chance to sense the atmosphere of the Crimea's rich historical past.