The ancient city of Kalos Limen and his tragic fate

The name of this ancient Greek city, which was on the coast of the Crimea, is translated as "The Beautiful Harbor". Archaeologists are still working on the remains of the ancient settlement, the main discovery of which is the ruins of a stone structure, a bit reminiscent of the pyramids. Later, the origin of the mysterious ruins, which turned out to be a high defensive tower, was clarified.

Historic Landmark

Kalos Lyman (Crimea) - this is the main attraction of the village of Chernomorskoye on the coast of the Karkinitsky Gulf. The city, mentioned by ancient authors, at the moment consists of the territory where scientists are engaged in excavations, and the Museum of History and Local History.

History of settlement

It is interesting that no one knew the exact location of the city, about which the ancient travelers so often wrote. For a long time, researchers could not decide where the settlement was. And only the man-made hill that kept the ruins of the tower became a hint for archaeologists.

The first expeditions began their work in 1929 and continue to this day. Researchers of the ancient city established that the settlement with a beautiful name was founded in the IV century BC by the Greeks, who came to seize the land. They fell so in love with a huge territory of about four hectares that gave it such a poetic name.

The erected small settlement, which turned into a major policy, was surrounded by fortress walls, and all the land was distributed among the inhabitants as plots on which were built manors or towers.

The ancient city of Kalos Limen, which in time passed under the rule of Chersonesus, had a very good location. The convenient harbor, which was visited by foreign ships, and fertile soils famous far beyond the limits of the policy, became the reason for the constant raids of stronger neighbors. It is believed that the period of independence of the site was very short.

Invaders raids

With the advent of the Late Scythian state, raids on Kalos Lyman, whose calm life turned into an eternal defense of their positions, became frequent. Residents strengthened the line of defense and erected forts and fortresses to prevent the Greek city from being sacked. However, this helped a little, and in the II century BC it was conquered by the Scythians, and the sea harbor turned into a popular port of invaders.

Destruction of ancient fortifications

It was at this time, according to historians, the most massive military operations begin. Pontian commander Diophantus, who arrived at the request of besieged Chersonesos, seizes the Crimea and takes away from the Scythian rulers the ancient Kalos Lyman. The once blooming city is gradually declining. Local residents leave it, and all buildings are filled with sand and slowly destroyed. The famous harbor, which became a large port and hosted military and merchant ships, turns into a shallow estuary.

But the most terrible losses the policy suffered in the I century BC after the invasion of nomadic Sarmatians, who destroyed it almost to the ground, leaving only the ruins of defensive fortresses and residential buildings.

Kalos Lyman: description

Standing on the shore of the bay, the city was surrounded on all sides by a fortified wall, supplemented by rectangular towers. As soon as the Scythians threatened the policy, the local population strengthened the fortification. A 16-meter tower is built, from the height of which, with the help of stone-stones, the path to the invaders blocked.

In addition, in the darkness, it served as a beacon for merchant ships calling at the local port. And the organized cellar inside the building, where food was stored, allowed the city to be in a long siege. After the attacks of the Scythians, the tower was surrounded by a stone belt, which gave it the forms of mysterious pyramids, and the structure itself turned into a real bastion, protecting all approaches to the city from the land.

Distinctive features

Remains of fortress walls, on which shots from rams are visible, are still being researched by scientists. Through Kalos Lyman there was a wide street, along which wagons rode. It was the connecting link between the main gate and the harbor. Along one side of it lay the sidewalk, and on the other hand ran a gutter gutter.

Archaeologists note a neat style in the architecture of the people of Hellas, who looked favorably against the background of new Scythian buildings.

Around the city stretched agricultural land, which worked the local residents, who received nine hectares for each. But gradually handicraft and trade become the main activity of the population.

Organized museum

Now the historical and archeological museum-reserve "Kalos Limen", opened in 1987, attracts the attention of curious tourists who want to get to know a wonderful ancient city with a tragic fate. Employees often conduct cognitive excursions, narrating about the ancient rites of the ancient settlement and its valorous struggle against the invaders.

What to see?

Not only a part of the fortress wall was beautifully preserved. You can see several towers that served as gate protection, residential buildings, giving a complete picture of the everyday life of the population. Of great interest are the remains of brick walls with tightly stuck Sarmatian tips.

Scythian buildings are best preserved in the site of ancient settlement, and their negligent masonry testifies to the lack of building skills inherent in the Greeks.

Far from the settlement, burial mounds were found, under the embankments of which were graveyard crypts and ordinary graves. Scientists have found in them clay vessels, ornaments, weapons.

Kalos Lyman (Black Sea) is a unique monument, storing artifacts that cause interest not only to scientists, but also to ordinary tourists. Rare finds helped restore the historical picture, telling about the life of the ancient city.