Excursion
"CAPITALS OF CRIMEAN KHANATE"

Khan palace in Bakhchisarai, Fountain of Tears, cave town Chufut-Kale, rock-hewn Uspensky monastery.

Bakhisarai and its suburbs with gorgeous Khan palace and famous Fountain of tears, ancient cave town Chufut-Kale and unique rock-hewn Uspensky monastery are the real treasure-house of the Middle Ages.

You will learn who and why founded Bakhchisarai, and history of Khan Palace. You will see the interior, harem, fountains and famous Fountain of tears glorified by the great Russian poet Alexander Pushkin.

You will learn the history of caraims, their relations with Russians and Tatars, the story of building and existence of cave town Chufut-Kale (fortress Kirk-Or previously), which existed up to the XIX century.

You will learn about formation of Byzantine, orthodox religion, iconoclasm movement and creation of cave monasteries in Crimea.

You will visit Chufut-Kale and museum of caraims, on your way back you will visit the rock-hewn church of Yspencky monastery and will get curative holy water from monastery spring.

Clothes and footwear should be comfortable for a comparatively long stroll (5-7 km with ascents and descents).