Cave city Mangup-Kale ~ Russia from the Crimea to Kamchatka

The walls of the fortress on Mangup

The first fortress on Mangup-Kale was built by the Byzantines in the 6th century AD. The new settlement was called Doros, and became the capital of the country of Dori.

In the 11-14 centuries, after the weakening of the Byzantine Empire, the city of Doros changes its name to Theodoro.

Cave city Mangup-Kale

The Mangup Dukes led active construction, expanded foreign trade, established important political and dynastic ties. In 1472 The Mangup Duke was married to Stephen III, ruler of medieval Moldavia (Wallachia). In 1474 the Grand Duke of Moscow Ivan III also planned to become related to the Mangup princes - to marry his son to the daughter of another Mangup Duke. But the marriage was prevented by the invasion of the Crimea by the Turks in 1475.

Ruins of the citadel in Mangup

The gate in the citadel is a stone clypeus ornament

Turks, armed with the latest technology at that time, 6 months besieged the impregnable fortress - the cave city of Mangup-Kale, eventually captured it. The Principality of Theodoro ceased to exist. Until the 18th century there was a Turkish garrison here. The Turks added to the name Mangup the word "Cale" - a fortress. And after the annexation of the Crimea to Russia in 1783, the cave city of Mangup-Kale left the last inhabitants, it was no longer necessary to defend themselves, and they moved closer to the fertile valleys and new roads.

The walls of the fortress on Mangup

Now Mangup-Kale is conducting research, archaeological excavations. The well-known scientist Alexander Germanovich Herzen has been archaeological research with his students for 36 consecutive years in the cave city of Mangup-Kale. In her interviews Herzen is very enthusiastic about Mangup. He, and not only he, notes that the cave city of Mangup-Kale has some mysterious power. Herzen says that if he cannot work on Mangupe, he does not feel well. In addition, there are rumors that the cave city of Mangup-Kale unites hearts. Herzen also found a wife in Mangupe, and happily lives with her for many years.

Mangup-Calais. Panorama of the Citadel

And the lake, which is located at the foot of Mangup, is also very special. At the bottom of it are the ruins of a medieval Christian temple. In the water, research is very difficult, but, nevertheless, scientists found there the 6th-century pithos. Now, when the water level drops, you can see the altar, and when the drought, you see the whole Christian temple. In addition, on the shores of Lake Mangup, lovers of horse riding can ride horses.