Ancient landmark of the Crimea - Fortress Funa

Crimea can be attributed to the most sated places in the world. This applies to both the natural and cultural features of the peninsula, located at the junction of the eastern and western worlds, the disappeared civilizations and succeeding one another. Some of them managed to be present here in the same time interval. An example of a witness of such events is the fortress of Fun in Alushta.

Than remarkable?

The name "Funa" is translated from Greek as "smoky". Its name was given in honor of Mount Demerdzhi. Fortress Funa is just built at the foot of this beautiful peak of the southern coast of the Crimea. In these places, by the way, the shooting of the legendary "Caucasian captive" and other Soviet films was conducted.

In ancient times, the Small Silk Road passed through this place ", going from Gorsuvit (Gurzuf now) and Aluston (Alushta in modern times) to Kafu (now to Feodosia) .It is no accident that on such a popular trade route a fortress appeared to guard trade caravans, and at the same time To collect money from them for the possibility of passage.

Fortress Funa was a member of the Orthodox principality of Theodoro, who was in constant confrontation with the Genoese and Muslims. The area of the fortification was small - 56 meters wide and 106 meters long. On the western side, it entered the rock, and from the rest it was covered by defensive walls of 15-meter height. The first mention of fortress Fun was mentioned in 1384. But in most of the sources the end of the construction of the complex is dated 1422 year.

Long story

A powerful earthquake that occurred immediately after this date led to the fact that the fortress was rebuilt again in 1425. But the tests did not end. And to replace the impacts of the elements came repeated fires, each time literally sizzling fortress Funa. In 1459, a significant reconstruction was carried out in the structure, which transformed this structure into a castle. After that, at the entrance gate was built a dungeon in three tiers 15 meters high and a wall thickness of 2.3 meters. In it there were apartments of the heir to the Feodorian throne.

In 1475 the fortress was again damaged, this time by the Ottoman Turks. The most preserved was the temple, dedicated to Theodore Stratelates - the holy and great warrior of the Byzantine emperor Constantine I, nicknamed the Great. Then, in 1475, the Crimea was captured by the Turks, finally destroying the fortress of Fun. And all the locals left this place after the huge collapse that happened in 1894, which buried and the former glory of this complex.

Now an important role in the historical heritage of the architectural ensemble of the fortress of Funna is played by the ruins of the church of St. Theodore Stratilat, which was most preserved during the time of the Ottoman Turks attack. The church was repeatedly rebuilt and renovated, so it existed until the beginning of the XX century.

Not far from the ruins is the so-called blocky chaos in the form of a heap of pieces of rock, stones of very different sizes. This is material evidence of both the powerful collapse of 1894 and the subsequent smaller scale cataclysms. So, very noticeable damage to the remains of the structure was caused by the Yalta earthquake of 1927.

Archaeological finds

During the excavations of the complex in the masonry of the walls archaeologists discovered amulets. Builders of the fortress in the masonry, most likely to protect themselves from the dark forces, were crossed with crosses of the relics of saints. Was discovered and a marble stone with the date of construction of the structure and the princely symbolism of Theodoro. A copy of this find is installed in front of the entrance.

After the seizure of the Crimea by Nazi invaders, large excavations were organized in the footsteps of local legends about the queen and the treasures of the Gothic crown hidden in the local places. They did not lead to any meaningful results, but the legends of the buried crown are still alive.

Current state

Nowadays, the fortress of Fun is ruins, which are a pile of stones in the place of a two-story church, the front yard and all of Funa with benches of merchants, taverns and apartment buildings. Only a single fragment of the church apse, hanging over a large garden near the road, recalls the former greatness of the fortification. Examining the ruins, you can easily imagine the scope of construction and the strength of the fortification, the width of the walls of which in some places reached two meters.

Above the ruins one can see a semicircular ledge - the apse, once serving as the altar of the serf church. The altar was practically intact until the thirties of the last century. Nearby there were residential buildings, in the place of which now only a heap of stones. About three hundred meters to the north of the ruins there are burials of the villagers and the fortress of Fun.

Work of the museum

Today, on the site of the former fortress is an open-air museum. On its territory the tourists are greeted by a mock-up showing the type of the active fortress. Practically from all cities of Crimea tours are organized here. The cost of an excursion around the territory of the museum in the open air is the lowest. Walking along neighboring rocks is free of charge. The museum is open from 8:00 to 17:00.

Fortress Funa: how to get there?

An important advantage of Funa is its accessibility for tourists. Past her tourists pass, traveling from Simferopol to Alushta. Stopping along the road, in just an hour and a half you can see the ruins left by the real medieval fortress of Fun. A photo for memory on the background of the famous Crimean landmark must necessarily remain in your album.

This interesting monument of archeology and medieval architecture is located to the north of the village of Radiant, about two kilometers from it. You can get there from Alushta by regular bus from the city bus station. From the side of Radiant, a little lower Kutuzovsky fountain, is an asphalt road. You can drive by car. By the way, in the Radiant it is possible to ride horses. A number of companies organize these excursions.