Kalos Limen: ancient city. Medieval period The city of Kalos Limen looked like

Representing the small village of Chernomorskoye, Kalos Limen is the oldest and most significant archaeological site on the territory of the North Western Crimea, being at a great distance from other ancient cities of the peninsula. It was located in a convenient harbor, which was the same in the location of all Greek settlements, which gave them a lot of advantages, and the specified settlement was also given the name - Beautiful Harbor, which is fully consistent with reality.

The policy owned quite extensive and fertile lands, and agricultural products, or rather its volumes, began to bring a good income, the welfare of citizens increased, but the envy of neighbors grew along with it. For this reason, the settlement quickly lost its independence and almost all the time of its existence was in the sphere of influence of the Bosporus, and the proximity of the steppe peoples determined its largely tragic fate.

Where is the ancient policy in the Crimea?

The ancient settlement is located in the northeastern, steppe part of the peninsula, on the territory of the modern. The ruins of Kalos Limen are located 1.5 km from resort village Black Sea, on the coast, near the Uzkaya Bay.

Kalos Limen on the map of Crimea

The history of the emergence and fall of the city

It was founded by the Ionian Greeks at the beginning of the 4th century BC, in a beautiful harbor, which is reflected in the name of the settlement. Much more important for the settlers were the extremely rich, fertile chernozems, which yielded impressive crops of grain and grapes. Advantageous position, fat fields, rapidly growing prosperity of the population could not but attract the envious glances of warlike neighbors oriented towards an aggressive policy.

The worst of all possible scenarios, the inhabitants of the settlement of Kalos Limen considered the devastating raids of the Scythians who lived to the north. Since its inception, it has been constantly strengthened, but what the fortifications were remained unknown. Understanding the seriousness of the situation, the settlers, faced with the Scythian barbarians, considered joining Chersonese as a lesser evil, which happened already in the second half of the 4th century BC. Until the middle of the III century BC. there was a large-scale construction of a fortress wall with impressive towers capable of withstanding an enemy assault. Remains of these impressive structures can still be seen today.

For a long time, nothing was known about him until ancient city Kalos Limen near the village of Chernomorskoye was not dug up by Soviet archaeologists, led by Moiseev in 1929, who established that the settlement had been abandoned long before the rise of other Greek city-states in the Crimea. It turned out that in the II century BC. Chersonese, being at that moment not in the best position, was forced to cede the described settlement to the Scythians.

But they did not last long either. Some time later, after the campaign of Diophantus in the northeastern part of the Crimea, the ancient city of Kalos Limen and its neighbor were annexed to. Over the next 200 years, he constantly passed from hand to hand, which is why he was in complete decline. Finally, at the beginning of the 1st century, it was completely destroyed during a large campaign of the Sarmatians from the Northern Black Sea region. There is evidence that people lived in the area of ​​the ancient settlement until the 16th century.

What is interesting about Kalos Limen near Chernomorskoye?

Its existence was known for a long time, mainly from the works of famous ancient authors such as Strabo, Flavius ​​Arrian, Claudius Ptolemy. However, where he was, for a long time remained unknown. The first to conduct excavations in the Chernomorskoye area was the archaeologist Shmakov. He found one of the city's towers in 1838,
but the mystery of the ancient settlement of Kalos Limen excited the minds for almost a century.

And although the excavations have not actually stopped since 1929, and the city has been completely excavated, it has been studied quite poorly. Archaeological research continues even now, which makes it somewhat difficult to visit it. But today, most of the settlement is open to tourists. Of course, only foundations remained from the ancient fortifications and residential quarters, but this place can reasonably be called a museum under open sky. As well as the photos of these romantic ruins, which have flown around all authoritative scientific publications, made them world famous.

The Kalos Limen area was small - only about 2.5 hectares, so visiting and exploring it will not take much time. According to the remains of ancient structures, a clear layout is clearly visible, slightly disturbed by the high density of buildings. Residential buildings here are literally sandwiched between powerful fortress walls. Their ruins are still impressive today, with traces of battering rams and other battering rams.

Kalos Limen: the history of the walled city

The fate of the Kalos Limen fortress can safely be called tragic. The hillfort arose around the 4th century. BC e. It was built by members of the Ionian Greek tribe, who arrived in the Crimea in order to seize land. The colonialists liked the place on the banks of the "beautiful harbor" in the northwest Crimean peninsula, which gave such a romantic name to the city they built.

At the end of the IV century. BC e. the fortress, unable to resist the attackers, falls under the sphere of influence of Tauric Chersonesos. In the III century. BC e. the settlement began to be stormed by the Scythians. The locals greatly reinforced Kalos Limen with additional fortifications, but they were never able to hold back the advance. Old enemies became the owners of the policy from the II century. BC e.

Corner tower and soldiers' barracks Kalos Limen on the reconstruction sketch

The further fate of the fortress is connected with the foreign policy activities of Tauric Chersonesos. After the Chersonesites asked military aid from the Pontic kings, Kalos Limen was conquered from the Scythians by the army of Diophantus. The victory did not bring anything good to the settlement. Being part of Tauric Chersonesus, it begins to gradually decline.

1st century BC e. - I century. n. e. - this is another period in the history of Kalos-Limen as part of the Scythian kingdom. It ends with the death of the settlement after the invasion of the Sarmatians.

About Kalo-Limen (distorted name) last time is recalled in Italian maps of the 13th-14th centuries. It is known that in the 18th century a Russian redoubt was located near the Uzkaya Bay, and later - the structure of a border cordon.

Architectural features of the settlement Kalos Limen

Kalos Limen stood on 4 hectares of territory on the shore of the bay. A fortress wall was erected around the city. This fortification was complemented by towers with right angles. Huge gates led inside the fortress.

Northern gate Kalos Limen, through them brought fallen warriors into the city	Ruins of the northern watchtower Kalos Limen

As the Scythian-Sarmatian threat grows, the fortification intensifies. Then a multi-towered citadel appears. Archaeologists have discovered a 16-meter lighthouse tower, from which the Kalos-Limenians controlled the entrance to the bay with the help of stone throwers. In the basement compartment of this structure, the locals stored food that could be used in the event of a siege of the fortress. A little later, the tower was reinforced with a stone wall.

The principle of development of the settlement practically did not differ from that which was taken during the construction of Tauric Chersonesos. Through the whole of Kalos Limen there was a central street, covered with strong rammed crumbs, carts drove along it. Their traces can be seen on a stone slab near the entrance to the fortress. There was a drain running through the city. The neat architectural style of the Greeks is very different from that later used by the Scythians. The barbarians never learned to build the way the natives of Hellas did.

Around the settlement there was an agricultural district. Scientists managed to determine its radius - 2 km. The land plots that were part of the choir were approximately the same. Each of them occupied 9 hectares of land. Houses or towers were erected on the plots. Those farmers who, apparently, were not afraid of the enemy, attached utility yards to their dwellings.

From the very beginning of the existence of the policy, its inhabitants were engaged in agriculture, and later trade and handicraft became the main activities of the Kalos-Limens.

Fortress Kalos Limen in our time

The location of the settlement of Kalos-Limen was unknown for a long time. Ancient travelers wrote a lot about it, but scientists still could not determine the territory on which the policy was located. The hint for the discovery of this historical monument was a clearly man-made hill, which later turned out to be a 16-meter tower covered with earth. The excavations of the settlement of Kalos Limen began in 1929. Since then, archaeologists have found the remains of fortress walls, towers, a citadel, the ruins of residential buildings and soldiers' barracks.

1987 was marked by the opening of the Kalos Limen Historical Museum of Local Lore, which was already in the center of the Chernomorskoye village at that time.

Since 1997, the historical and archaeological reserve "Kalos Limen" has been operating on the site of the fortress. Its activity today is difficult to imagine without the Black Sea Local History Museum, which houses an exposition of artifacts found during excavations.

Today the complex is called: Historical and Archaeological Museum-Reserve "Kalos Limen".

Where is Kalos Limen located and how to get there?

The ruins of Kalos Limen are located 140 kilometers from Simferopol. Between the fortress, the distance is half less. From both cities go Shuttle Buses and minibuses. You will have to spend 1.5 - 3 hours on the way.

Ruin ancient fortress located on a land plot near the Uzkaya (Tarkhankut) bay, which is adjacent to the village of Chernomorskoye. This is Embankment Street. You need to go along the paved road to the sea. To see what's left of Kalos Limen, entrance ticket not needed. You can touch its buildings absolutely free of charge.

The museum is located in the center of the village of Chernomorsky, at the address: Revolution Street, 8.

INLIGHT

Kalos Limen, or as it is called Magic or Beautiful Harbor, is one of the largest settlements ancient times on the coast in the western part of the Crimean peninsula. Kalos Limen is also known as Ak-Mechet and Black Sea settlement.

It can be called one of the most real archaeological finds and amazing attraction.

From the very first days of its inception, Kalos Limen became one of the centers from where the Hellenes, that is, the Greeks, began to conquer and develop new lands of the North-Western part of Tavria.

Very convenient strategic and geographical location ancient city It gave impetus to the fact that for different times of its existence it combined various functions: it was both the economic and military-political center of the western Crimea.

The uniqueness of this ancient town lies in the fact that not only unique architectural structures for various purposes have been amazingly preserved here, but also numerous archaeological materials that are of value to rich history structures throughout the Northern Black Sea region.

Not far from there are many ruins of ancient cities, but the most studied and explored is definitely the ancient Greek city of Kalos Limen near the urban-type settlement of Chernomorskoe.

Kalos Limen, which in translation means "the harbor of the Chersonites on the Scythian land" is often recalled in the works of many ancient authors, in addition, it is mentioned in the "Oath of the Citizens of Tauric Chersonesos".

For a long time, archaeologists and historians argued about its location, until all the questions were sorted out at the Ak-Mechet settlement during the excavations of 1929. The Hellenes first appeared on this territory at the very beginning of the 4th century BC, choosing a place for themselves near a comfortable bay, from which now only a shallow estuary remains. It must be said that the policy originally belonged to one of the most ancient settlements of the Western Crimea, most likely, and then gradually passed under power.

Most of the settlements burned down in fires, but Kalos Limen was able to survive, although the results of the excavations show that almost all of its inhabitants died. I must say that the town was empty and revived only after a few decades. It should be emphasized that, due to its important military-strategic significance and comfortable bay, it existed almost until the end of the Hellenistic period in the history of Crimea.

Little by little, a city was built on the site of a small settlement, which retained its former name. It should be noted that it flourished for almost half a century, until the 70s of the 3rd century BC, when wild Sarmatian tribes ran into the peninsula.

At the end of the II century BC. Kalos Limen was lured into the confrontation with the Scythians and the Pontic state and repeatedly passes from one hand to another. Few people know that near the policy there was the last decisive battle of the Pontic leader Diafant, who came to the rescue of Chersonese, besieged from all sides, and fifty thousand strong and united army of Alans and Scythians.

This battle was crowned with the victory of the Pontic commander, but it did not bring the former life of Kalos Limen, a settlement on west coast Crimea was gradually destroyed, and their ruins were covered with sand.

The famous bay, which gave shelter to merchant and warships, gradually separated from the sea by a sand spit and, in the end, turned into a shallow estuary. A little later, nothing reminded that there was a prosperous policy, which bore the proud name Beautiful Harbor.

On the site of the ancient town, a massive stone structure remained, which somehow resembled the ruins of a small pyramid. Everyone knows that in the 18th century, after the reunification of Crimea to Tsarist Russia, there was a small redoubt here, and then, right up to the start of World War II, there was a border zone with a checkpoint.

What was the purpose of the mysterious "pyramid" for a long time remained unknown, several different hypotheses were put forward. But everything fell into place after the excavations in 1929.

On the site of a kind of "pyramid" in Kalos Limen, there was a long sixteen-meter watchtower. It was the tallest building in the fortress, and therefore served as a lighthouse - at night, a fire was lit in it for ships floating on the waves. It should be emphasized that edible supplies were kept in the cellars of the tower in case of a siege of the fortress.

On the upper floors there was a command post, in addition, stone-throwing tools were installed that protected and controlled the entrance to the bay.

In the area of ​​​​the huge Scythian ash pan, scientists unearthed another undestroyed tower with a semi-submerged chamber and a staircase, in addition, part of the protective fortress wall and the main entrance to the Kalos Limena area, from which a huge stone survived (tracks were visible on it, knocked out by antique cart wheels).

During the excavations of this part of the territory, archaeologists found many different items that were stored both in the tower and in adjacent structures. Judging by the excavations, this area of ​​the town suffered more than the others during the attack of the Sarmatians - during excavations, arrowheads are often found, stuck into thick walls made of unbaked bricks.

When the fortresses began to be attacked by the Scythians, the tower was reinforced with another belt of stone, which gave it the shape of a pyramid, which has survived to this day. It goes without saying that the fortification served as a defense against ramming, traces of which until that time were visible on the walls. Soon after the raids, the Scythians converted the tower into a bastion that protected the settlement from the land.

Scientists have found the remains of fortress moors, several towers that protected the gates, the corner fortification of the fortress and several dozen residential buildings.

One of the buildings is very well preserved, and it is shown to tourists for inspection in order to imagine the everyday life of ancient ancient times.

From the remains of the lighthouse to the mounds overgrown with thorns, you can walk along a small path. Imagine one fact that in ancient times the main city ​​street, which was more than 6 meters wide. It must be said that it connected the main gate with the bay, was lined with compacted rocky crumb, which was not inferior in its fortress even to asphalt. A ditch ran down the center of the paved road, and along one side, as is customary in many large cities, there was a sidewalk.

A patch of road, the ruins of Scythian and Greek settlements can be observed in the center of the settlement. And it is not even necessary to say that the Scythian buildings, which were distinguished by a slightly sloppy masonry, were the most ideally preserved. It can be seen that the Scythians never reached the skill of the Hellenes in construction, they remained a steppe nomadic people until the very end of their existence.

Not far from the settlement rise small hills. Everyone has long known that under the embankments there are crypts made of skillfully hewn stone and mud bricks, and even ordinary graves, simply covered with slabs. Few people know that archaeologists were lucky enough to find many clay vessels, tools, toilet items and simple jewelry.

A good reference for everyone in Kalos Limen is a small lighthouse. For those who want to see the ruins of ancient cities, and to see the unique finds, it is best to contact the historical and archaeological reserve "Kalos-Limen", which is located in the building of the music school of the Chernomorskoye village.

The name of this ancient Greek city, which was located on the coast of Crimea, is translated as "Beautiful Harbor". Archaeologists are still working on the remains of the ancient settlement, the main find of which was the ruins of a stone structure, a bit reminiscent of pyramids. Later, the origin of the mysterious ruins, which turned out to be a high defensive tower, was clarified.

historical landmark

Kalos Limen (Crimea) is the main attraction of the Chernomorskoye village on the coast. The city mentioned by ancient authors on this moment consists of an area where scientists are excavating, and the Museum of History and Local Lore.

History of the settlement

Interestingly, no one knew the exact location of the city, about which ancient travelers so often wrote. For a long time, researchers could not decide where the settlement was located. And only the man-made hill, which kept the ruins of the tower, became a clue for archaeologists.

The first expeditions began their work in 1929 and continue to this day. Researchers of the ancient city found that the settlement with beautiful name It was founded in the 4th century BC by the Greeks who arrived to seize the land. They fell in love with the vast territory of about four hectares so much that they gave it such a poetic name.

The erected small settlement, which turned into a large policy, was surrounded by fortress walls, and all the land was distributed among the inhabitants as allotments, on which estates or towers were erected.

The ancient city of Kalos Limen, which eventually came under the rule of Chersonesos, had a very good location. A convenient harbor, which foreign ships entered, and fertile soils famous far beyond the borders of the policy, became the reason for constant raids by stronger neighbors. It is believed that the period of independence of the settlement was very short.

Invader raids

With the emergence of the Late Scythian state, raids on Kalos Limen became more frequent, whose quiet life turned into an eternal defense of their positions. The inhabitants fortified the lines of defense and erected forts and fortresses to prevent the Greek city from being sacked. However, this did little to help, and in the 2nd century BC it was conquered by the Scythians, and the sea harbor turned into a sought-after port for invaders.

Destruction of the ancient city

It was at this time, according to historians, that the most large-scale hostilities began. The Pontic commander Diophantus, who arrived at the request of the besieged Chersonese, seizes the Crimea and takes away the ancient Kalos Limen from the Scythian rulers. The once flourishing city is gradually falling into decay. The locals leave it, and all the buildings are covered with sand and slowly destroyed. The famous harbor, which became a large port and hosted military and merchant ships, turns only into a shallow estuary.

But the policy suffered the most terrible losses in the 1st century BC after the invasion of nomadic Sarmatians, who destroyed it almost to the ground, leaving only the ruins of defensive fortresses and residential buildings.

Kalos Limen: description

The city, which stood on the shore of the bay, was surrounded on all sides by a fortress wall, supplemented by rectangular towers. As soon as the Scythians began to threaten the policy, the local population strengthened the fortification. A 16-meter tower is being erected, from the height of which, with the help of stone throwers, the invaders blocked the way.

In addition, in the dark, it served as a beacon for merchant ships calling at the local port. And the organized cellar inside the building, where food supplies were stored, allowed the city to be under a long siege. After the attacks of the Scythians, the tower was surrounded by a stone belt, which gave it the shape of mysterious pyramids, and the structure itself turned into a real bastion, protecting all approaches to the city from land.

Distinctive features

The remains of the fortress walls, on which blows from rams are visible, are still being studied by scientists. Through Kalos Limen there was a wide street along which wagons drove. She was the connecting link between the main gate and the harbour. Along one side of it there was a sidewalk, and on the other side there was a gutter.

Archaeologists note the neat style in the architecture of the natives of Hellas, which looked advantageous against the backdrop of new Scythian buildings.

Around the city stretched agricultural land on which they worked. locals who received nine hectares each. But gradually handicraft and trade become the main activity of the population.

Organized Museum

Now the historical and archaeological museum-reserve "Kalos Limen", opened in 1987, attracts the attention of curious tourists who want to get to know the amazing ancient city with a tragic fate. Employees often conduct educational excursions that tell about the ancient rites of the settlement and its valiant struggle against the invaders.

What to watch?

Not only part of the fortress wall has been perfectly preserved. You can see several towers that served as protection for the gates, residential buildings that give a complete picture of the life of the population. Of great interest are the remains of brick walls with tightly embedded Sarmatian tips.

Scythian buildings are the best preserved in the settlement, and their careless masonry testifies to the lack of building skills inherent in the Greeks.

Barrows were found far from the settlement, under the mounds of which there were cemetery crypts and ordinary graves. Scientists have found jewelry and weapons in them.

Kalos Limen (Chernomorskoye) is a unique monument that stores artifacts that are of interest not only to scientists, but also to ordinary tourists. Rare finds helped restore the historical picture that tells about the life of the ancient city.