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THE HISTORY OF CRIMEA

 
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The main web location for articles on Crimea is crimea2. Please check there for full listing - the following are some of the principal sections.
Alma - location of battlefield in Crimean War
Balaklava - location of British supply port and nearby battle during Crimean War
Inkerman - location of battlefield during the Crimean war
Bakhchisarai - The palace of the Tatar Khans - The Girei family ruled as Khans of the Crimean Tatars from the 1430's until expelled by the Russian conquerors in the 1780's. Their palace has been restored and is now a fine tourist attraction.
Cave cities - an article describing the historical development of the many 'towns' and monasteries that were dug into the limestone hills.
Chembalo - Genoese fortress at Balaklava port. Not much remains of the fortification the Genoese built to defend their trading port at the best harbor on the Crimean southeast coast. But in conjunction with a visit to the interesting town and the famous battlefield of the Crimean War, it is worth a visit.
Chersonese - ancient Greek colony on a headland close to modern Sevastopol. The location is a major archeology site.
Chufut-Kale - The 'fortress of the Kariates - one of the 'cave cities' located in the mountainous region of southern Crimea. It was an early Byzantine fortress, then a Tatar town and finally a haven for the Jewish Kariate sect. The mention this location receives in standard guide books is insufficient. It should be one of the highest priority places to visit in Crimea.
Mangup-Kale - The most fascinating of the 'cave cities' of southern Crimea. This was the capital of the medieval Feodoro principality. The nearly inaccessible mountain top was fortified by the Byzantines as part of Justinian's effort to secure the coastal Crimean cities from attack by nomadic tribes. It was occupied by the Alans and Goths and during the middle ages ruled by a Greek dynasty. The fortress was captured after a long siege by the Ottoman Turks in 1475. Now extensive archeological exploration is revealing its secrets.
Sudak - Founded by the Sarmatians (Soldai, Sugdei, Sugdag, Surozh) and famous throughout the middle ages as the hub for international trade between Baltic and Black Seas and between Central Asia and Europe, it became a major Genoese trading post, along with Kaffa. The Ottoman Turks captured it in 1475. Now impressive fortifications remain to entice the tourist and archeologist alike. Meanwhile the adjacent modern town is a favorite resort for sun bathers who don't want the high prices at Yalta.
Efpatoria - Founded by ancient Greeks, A Turkish city until Russian conquest of Crimea.
Kalos Liman - the archeological site today of ancient Greek city.
Kutluk - archeological site on ruin of Bosporian fortress.
Donizlav - archeological site on ruin of anciet Greek colony
Kalimata - remains of the Feodorian fortress - later Turkish fort near Inkerman.
Kara Tebe - archeological site of Scythian town
Sevastopol - Russian seaport built at location of Turkish fishing village after Russian conqeust of Crimea - siege in Crimean War.

 
   

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