The Genoese fortress is the main attraction of Sudak, located on the Crimean peninsula on the Fortress Hill. It is a fortification built in the 7th century. In ancient times, it was a defensive line for a number of tribes and states, and in the 19th century it became a museum. Thanks to the unique preserved architecture, a large number of films were filmed here, for example, Othello (1955), Pirates of the XX century (1979), The Master and Margarita (2005). Today, hundreds of guests come to Sudak to enjoy the beauty of this structure.
Genoese fortress: history and interesting facts
According to some sources, it appeared in the year 212, built by the warlike tribes of the Alans. However, most scholars nevertheless date the construction of the structure to the 7th century and assume that the Byzantines or Khazars did it. In different centuries, it was owned by various peoples: Polovtsy, Turks and, of course, the inhabitants of the city of Genoa - the fortress is called in their honor.
Outside, the structure has two lines of defense - internal and external. The outer one has 14 towers and a main gate. The towers are about 15 meters high, each of which bears the name of a consul from Genoa. The key building of this line is the castle of St. Cross.
The height of the walls of the first line is 6-8 meters, the thickness is 2 meters. The structure was considered one of the most protected in Eastern Europe. The inner line has four towers and two castles - the Consular and St. Ilya. Behind the line was the town of Soldaya, built in the best traditions of medieval towns.
The Genoese did not stay here for long. In 1475, five years later, the Turks took the Genoese fortress, the population left the city, and life here actually stopped. With the annexation of Crimea to the Russian Empire, the authorities decided not to restore the building. Only under Alexander II, the fortress was transferred to the Odessa Society of History and Antiquities, after which the building was turned into a museum.
Inside the Genoese Fortress
In addition to its massive appearance, the Genoese fortress is also of great interest for its internal structures. The entrance to the museum is through the main gate. An interesting attraction here is the barbicana, a horseshoe-shaped platform in front of the gate. Also of interest is the pivot bridge leading to the entrance.
On an area of more than 30 hectares, there are preserved: outbuildings, warehouses, cisterns, a mosque, temples. However, the main attraction of the fortress is its towers. Inside, guests will be shown various structures, the oldest of which is the Maiden Tower, located at the highest point of the Genoese fortress (160 meters).
Its second name is Sentinel (reveals its purpose). In addition, the eastern and western towers, named after the consuls from Genoa, are interesting to visit. It is also worth looking at the arched portal with an arrow-shaped opening, which is named after the consul.
It is impossible not to mention the castles that are in the Genoese fortress. The largest is the Consular Castle - the head of the city was in this building in case of danger. It is the tallest tower in the city, otherwise called the donjon and surrounded on all sides by small towers.
You can view the structure both independently and as part of an excursion. For those who want not only to walk through the impressive territory, the guides provide an entertaining story about the history of the building. The price of a ticket for a tour is small - 50 rubles, a group is formed every half hour, the average duration is 40 minutes. It includes not only a visit to the ruins, but also a small museum inside the well-preserved structures. In the "Temple with an arcade" there is an exposition telling about the history of the Genoese fortress, as well as an exposition about the history of the war with the Nazis.
During an excursion or during a free inspection, be sure to visit the observation deck located next to the mosque. From here a panoramic view of the picturesque surroundings of the tower, of Sudak opens. Here is the opportunity to take amazing photos.
Festival "Knight's Helmet"
Since 2001, knightly tournaments have been reconstructed in the heart of the Genoese fortress. Most of them are few in number and are made for the fun of museum guests. However, the international festival "Knight's Helmet" is held annually here, which is a costume performance, during which historical reconstructions of medieval tournaments take place. Every year tourists come to Sudak to get to this festival.
It should be noted separately that during the "Knight's Helmet" prices for excursions, tickets to museums, souvenir products increase several times. In 2017, the festival was held at the end of July every weekend until the end of August. In addition to the tournament itself, these days there is an exhibition-fair "City of Craftsmen", where you can buy homemade products of modern artisans - products from various materials, from wood to cast iron.
In addition to the Knight's Helmet, a large number of tournaments, historical reenactments and other events are held. The schedule of festivals can be viewed on the official website of the museum.
General information
In the final part of the article, it is worth saying a few general words, answering the key questions regarding the visit to the Genoese fortress.
We advise you to look at the Prague Castle.
Where is? The main Sudak attraction is located at st. Genoa fortress, 1 on the western outskirts of the city. Coordinates: 44 ° 50′30 ″ N (44.84176), 34 ° 57′30 ″ E (34.95835).
How to get there? You can come by public transport from the center of Sudak - for this you need to take route number 1 or number 5, get off at the Uyutnoye stop, and then walk for a few minutes. The road will run along narrow streets, allowing you to feel the atmosphere of a medieval city. By private car, you must go along the Tourist Highway, which runs into the Genoese Fortress. There is a convenient parking near the museum.
Opening hours and cost of attendance. The museum has different opening times and admission prices depending on the season. During the high season (May-September), the building welcomes guests from 8:00 to 20:00, from October to April, the museum is open from 9:00 to 17:00. Entrance ticket - 150 rubles for adults, 75 rubles for beneficiaries, children under 16 enter free. The price includes only a tour of the Genoese fortress. Tours, museum exhibitions and other entertainment are paid separately, but additional services are inexpensive.
Where to stay? For those who are attracted by the fortress so much that there will be a desire to consider it for several days, the question of choosing a hotel will surely become. In the immediate vicinity there are various hotels, guest houses, hotels and mini-hotels for every taste and budget. Finding a room will not be difficult, however during high season, especially during the festival period, you need to take care of the room in advance.
