The Crimean city of Kerch (ancient name - Panticapaeum) has an interesting history, echoes of which can be observed today.
What to see in Kerch?
If you have a trip to Ukraine to the shores of the Azov and Black Sea in the wonderful city-resort of Kerch, then certainly visit its sights, which will tell many interesting facts from the life of one of the oldest cities in the world.
The Imperial Mound in Kerch
Tsar's mound is located near the village of Adzhimushkai, which is five kilometers from the center of Kerch. It consists of a mound, a funerary chamber measuring 4.35 by 4.39 meters and a dromosa - a vault that consists of a masonry of limestone blocks having a narrowing upward. The mound has a height of 18 meters, and its circumference along the sole is about 250 meters.
According to historians, the first mention of the mound can be attributed to the 4th century BC, when the Bosporus Kingdom dominated. It is believed that one of the members of the Spartoids dynasty, Levkon the First, was buried here, during whose reign the economic prosperity was celebrated.
The Tsar's mound was opened in 1837, when archaeological excavations began.
The mound was completely plundered in ancient times. Only fragments of the wooden sarcophagus remained preserved.
Mithradates in Kerch
The most notable place of the city is Mount Mithridates, where excavations have been carried out for several decades already. On this mountain for the first time found the remains of the buildings of the ancient city of Panticapaeum.
To get to the top of the mountain you need to overcome the Great Mithridates staircase, which has 423 steps. The staircase was built according to the plan of the architect of Italian origin Digby in the years 1833-1840. Annually on May 8 on the eve of the Victory Day the Kerchane and the guests of the city arrange a torchlight procession along the stairs, rising to Mithridates. It is a very beautiful sight, resembling a fiery river flowing down the mountain slopes.
Currently, on the mountain is located the Obelisk of Glory, which was established in 1944. Not far from the Obelisk, the Eternal Flame burns in honor of the defenders of the city of Kerch.
According to legend, the Pontic king loved to spend time on the mountain, who watched the sea for a long time. Hence the name "the first seat of Mithridates".
The fortress of Yeni-Kale in Kerch
On the shore of the Kerch Gulf the fortress of Yeni-Kale rises (in translation from Tatar - "New Fortress"), which was built in 1703. Its walls from the hill descend directly to the foot of the mountain. The main purpose of the fortress is to close the exit to the Black Sea for Russian ships and Zaporozhye vessels. The location of the fortress was not chosen by chance: it was possible to open the fire of coastal batteries along ships passing by, which were inconvenient to make maneuvers in such a narrow gulf.
City of Kerch: Church of John the Baptist
The Church of St. John the Forerunner is the only surviving monument of medieval architecture. Presumably the Temple was built in the 8th-9th century. Its walls consist of white limestone blocks that alternate with red brick. The church was named for the beheading of the head of John the Forerunner and the Baptist of Christ.
Kerch: Church of St. Luke
The temple of the name of Luke is the youngest in the territory of Kerch. It was erected in 2000 in one of the residential areas of the city to become a spiritual center that allowed to unite the believers. The temple was named after St. Luke, the archbishop of the Crimean Valentin Feliksovich Voino-Yasenesky.
At the Temple, the Orthodox Educational Center operates, in which a Sunday school for children is open.
Kerch: Melek-Chesma Mound
Kurgan was first discovered in 1858. Its height is eight meters, the circumference is 200 meters. During the excavations, stone slabs, sarcophagus boards, red-figured dishes, the remains of a child, a children's bracelet from bronze were found. Historians refer the found burials to the 4-3 century BC.
The crypt is the burial vault of the local nobility who lived in the vicinity of Kerch during the reign of the Bosporus kingdom. The mound is named in honor of the river flowing nearby - Merek-Chesma, which in translation from Turkic means "Tsar's river".
City of Kerch: Golden Mound
The first mention of the mound is associated with Academician Pallas, who surveyed the Crimea in the nineties of the 19th century. It is located on the western outskirts of Kerch, one hundred meters above sea level.
The mound is a structure that was erected over three tombs, where representatives of a noble family were buried.
The most interesting is the dome tomb, consisting of a droma of 18 meters in length. On each side, the dromosa has six ledges. Opposite the entrance of the crypt there is a niche, and on the ring wall there is a dome arch formed by 14 rows of masonry. The funerary chamber is 11 meters high.
In addition to the above-mentioned Kerch attractions you can visit mud volcanoes, Adzhimushkay quarries and the crypt of Demeter.