Kafa - a city with a rich history

Kafa is a city that has survived the flowering and falling, sheltered on its land of representatives of different peoples, having a rich history and very beautiful nature. Originally he was called Theodosius, a reference to which can be found even in Homer's poem "Odyssey." Kafa in different historical periods was a center of trade and repeatedly buried in blood ... The city, like a phoenix, rose from the ashes, rebuilt all enemies for spite. Today Feodosia is a wonderful resort, hosting a huge number of tourists.

Ancient history of the city

About the first settlers of Kafa, there was practically no reliable information, only myths and legends. It is known that at the end of the 6th century BC. E. From Miletus to the bay came the Greek ships. The colonists liked the terrain, the gentle beach, so they stopped here and founded a commercial port. Thanks to trade, Kafa grew and became rich in a short time. The city already in the IV century BC. E. Competed with the influential Panticapaeum. Of course, it was not without trouble. For several decades the Bosporus kingdom attacked Feodosia, trying to subordinate it. The city experienced ups and downs, it was badly damaged in the middle of IV century AD. E. After the invasion of the Huns. Until the XII century. The future Kafa lay in ruins.

Settlement of the Genoese

In the thirteenth century Kafa passed into the possession of merchants from Genoa. Theodosius at that time belonged to the Tatars. The merchants bought out a piece of land from them and called it Kafa. They quickly rebuilt the city, protected it with a powerful fortification with high walls and towers, and a huge moat full of water. Favorable geographical position allowed the Cafe to become a major port, it was here that the trade routes leading to the West and the East crossed. Merchants transported furs, wheat, jewelry, salt, wax, oriental spices and, of course, slaves. Here was the biggest in the Crimea slave market.

Life in the Cafe could not be called calm: the Genoese constantly waged wars with the Tatars and their competitors - Venetian merchants. Despite the well-planned attacks of enemies, the city stood, rebuilt and continued to trade. Here lived people of different nationalities: Greeks, Armenians, Russians, Tatars, Jews and others.

War with the Turks

In 1475, she completely transferred to the Turks of Kafa. The city was at first devastated, but as soon as the conquerors realized what kind of profit it was, they immediately rebuilt it. Kafa continued to be a major trading port, at the same time up to four hundred ships could stop here. The main goods were slaves. In 1616 an army of Zaporozhians came here, who liberated their compatriots from the captivity and completely defeated the Turkish fleet. Also, raids were carried out in 1628 and 1675.

Accession to Russia

In 1783, she transferred to the Russians of Kafa. The city, considered three centuries Turkish, now belonged to the Taurian province. Empress Catherine II again renamed it Feodosia. From this time began a period of devastation. The former great and rich port could no longer recover, the buildings were destroyed, trade with other countries was discontinued. The Russians freed the city from duties, but this saved him a little. Only at the end of the XIX century Feodosia began to revive, to develop the resort zone.

At first the city suffered from the consequences of the First World War, and then, at the time of the establishment of Soviet power, it was not easier. But gradually the former Kafa began to turn into an industrial center. Here appeared brick and hydro-lime plants, a meat-packing plant, a tobacco and knitting factory. The city of Feodosia was badly damaged during the Second World War, only in 1944 people began to build it up a little.

Contemporary Theodosius

Today the city is a large cultural and industrial center of the Crimea. Feodosia is visited annually by tourists from Asia and Europe, who are attracted by local health resorts, good beaches, and very tasty wines.