Archaeological Museum "Gorgippia" is the only ancient city studied in Russia

Anapa is a resort town on the Black Sea coast of the Krasnodar Territory. Most tourists come here on summer holidays, dreaming of swimming in the sea, sunbathing and visiting the water park. But if the described option of rest seems to you too boring, you can always go on excursions. One of the most unusual and interesting places to visit in Anapa is the Archaeological Museum "Gorgippia".

The resort town with a rich history

Uneducated tourists disdainfully refer to Krasnodar Krai when it comes to historical sights. In Greece and Spain, literally at every step you can see the ancient ruins, and what can boast the Russian south? In fact, Krasnodar Region has no less interesting history, the full version of which, perhaps, we just have to find out.

At the site of modern Anapa was once the ancient Greek city of Sindh Harbor. Thanks to archaeological finds it was possible to establish that it was founded no later than the 6th century BC. E. In the 4th century BC. E. The settlement passes in submission of the Bosporus kingdom and receives a new name - Gorgippia in honor of the ancient ruler Gorgippa. The city is developing rapidly and is famous as a handicraft and shopping center. On the territory of Gorgippia was a large quarter of pottery masters. In the second century BC. E. The city received the right to issue its own coins.

In the 2nd century AD E. Gorgippia thrives - the streets are adorned with skilful statues and obelisks, pompous temples are being built, rich citizens do not spare money to create elaborate tombs and necropolises.

What happened to the rich ancient city? Why today only the archaeological museum "Gorgippia" remained from it? In the 3rd century AD E. The city began to be constantly raided by barbarians. Its history once flourishing settlement ends in the 4th century AD. After the next invasion of the Huns, Gorgippia disappeared from the world maps forever.

Expositions of the museum

Archaeological excavations were started in the XIX century. In their course, it was possible to establish that the ancient city occupied more than 40 hectares and is located under modern Anapa, at a level of only about 1 meter.

Today, the archaeological museum-preserve "Gorgippia" is located in the center of the resort city and covers an area of 1.6 hectares. There are still excavations and research activities. For tourists opened a plot of 0.7 hectares, fully explored and representing an open-air museum.

The Archaeological Museum "Gorgippia" invites everyone to take a walk through this ancient city. During the tour you will see with your own eyes: the foundations and cellars of residential buildings, streets, defensive buildings, wineries, gutters, wells and necropolis. Today it is the only archaeological museum in Russia, inviting everyone to the site of excavations. On the territory of the reserve there is also a pavilion in which the most valuable and interesting exhibits are exhibited.

Pearls of the collection

The exposition of the museum presents an interesting collection of ceramics. During the tour, tourists will find out what the pathos differed from amphorae, and what other forms of blood vessels were most often used by our distant ancestors. In addition to household utensils, the Archaeological Museum "Gorgippia" pleases guests with a collection of women's jewelry and costume jewelery. A real gem of the exposition is an ancient loom. Equally interesting are statues and fragments of marble slabs with inscriptions in ancient Greek. Also in the collection of the museum there are samples of weapons, tools and details of complex mechanisms.

Many unique and valuable exhibits are constantly exhibited in the largest museums in Russia - in Moscow and St. Petersburg. But, despite this fact, the permanent exhibition in the "Gorgippia" itself is very interesting and informative.

Working hours and prices

Anapa Archaeological Museum-Reserve "Gorgippia" is open from Tuesday to Sunday inclusive. You can visit the exposition from 09:00 to 18:00. The cost of an adult ticket is 120 rubles, for children and exempts entry costs 80 rubles. The following categories of citizens have the right to inspect the collection of the museum at a reduced price: students, pensioners, invalids, war veterans, military contract servicemen, orphans. In order to receive a discount when purchasing a ticket, it is necessary to present the corresponding document confirming the preferential category.

How to get there? Address and description of travel

The exact address, which is the archaeological museum "Gorgippia": Anapa, Naberezhnaya street, house 4. This is the very center of the resort town. The nearest public transport stop is called "Astrakhanskaya". Travel by buses and route taxis Nos. 1, 2, 6, 16 and 18. The exact coordinates of the museum-reserve for motorists: 44.896262; 37.310507.

Reviews of tourists

The archaeological museum will most impress the unsophisticated tourists who are not expecting to see such a landmark in the Russian resort town. Advantages of "Gorgippia" - ridiculous ticket prices, convenient location and quite interesting expositions. What is remarkable, in this museum there are truly unique exhibits. For a small surcharge, you can book excursions, the duration of which is 1.5 hours.

The Anapa Archaeological Museum "Gorgippia" is also interesting because it is the only one in Russia. Do not compare it with the ancient museums of European resorts. "Gorgippia" is a relatively young museum and has not been fully studied. It is possible that very soon we will see new interesting discoveries and archaeological finds.