Description and history of the Kalamita fortress in Crimea

The Autonomous Republic of Crimea abounds in various historical sites. Some are protected and constantly restored, while others have been destroyed, which is why they left behind only the memory of a long gone past. This number can be safely attributed to the Kalamita fortress, which is located on the peninsula near the village of Inkerman. Even today, this historic site attracts many tourists because of its past. Let's briefly consider the history of the fortress, learn about its features, and also tell you how to get there.

According to historical data, the considered fortress began its existence in the 6th century, playing the role of a defensive structure from enemies. Initially, it had only 6 towers, they, in turn, were united by means of some structures, which were called curtains, which ultimately made it possible to combine two bastions into one whole.

The main materials for construction work were rubble stone and lime mortar. The thickness of the walls varied in different places, the difference could be from 1 meter up to 4. And the height was the same everywhere, 12 meters. Initially, as soon as it was erected, the fortress was quite impressive in size, for example, its area as a whole reached as much as 1500 m2, and its length was 234 meters.

The location of the building of the historical building was chosen for a reason. One of the sides was defended by a cliff, it is in this place that the bay enters the land, whereby its width can reach about 1000 meters. The other side was protected by the erected fortress.This location allowed us to take a strategically important position and see any movement, which, in turn, did not allow the enemies to attack unexpectedly.

Unfortunately, today the history of the underground cities of Crimea, in particular the Kalamita fortress, is almost unknown. Despite the fact that it was erected in the VI century, which was found out after some research, it began to be marked on nautical maps only in the XIV-XV centuries.

Scientists believe that this fortress, most likely, was erected by the Byzantines, but what it really was, we will never know. Basically, all information about her was collected from the 15th century, it was from this period that the history ceased to be so vague. In this period of time, the principality of Theodoro existed.

It was constantly in conflict with the Genoese colonies. The principality needed access to the sea, as a result of which they built a port, and to protect it, it was decided to rebuild the fortress in question on the monastery rock.

But already in 1475 the Turks ruled in Crimea, who captured Kalamita and began to call it Inkerman. Due to the fact that the invaders already had a firearm at their disposal, the fortress had to be altered for it. They erected another tower and redesigned the earlier one, in addition to this, they made the walls somewhat thicker. After the lapse of time, the fortress ceased to be so necessary in terms of defense, therefore, gradual destruction began to occur, but most of all it suffered during the battle for Sevastopol.

Today, tourists can see the destroyed towers, small remains from the protective walls, a cross, which is located in the place where the church and the cave monastery, erected right under the fortress, were previously located.

As soon as a tourist approaches the fortress, the first thing that will open to his eyes is gate tower, The second one is located about 12 meters from it, it is there that the moat begins, which turns into a cave complex.

It was the fourth tower that was destroyed least of all due to the fact that it was taken out behind the moat and, in fact, was a separate fortress, in other words, it played the role of an additional defensive structure.

In addition to the destroyed towers, tourists will be able to see the remains of a Christian monastery, which, according to the latest data, was erected by the Theodorites, when they, in turn, owned the area. A little later, the temple was destroyed, but by whom and for what reasons, it has not been possible to find out until today.

Near the moat, a tourist will be able to see the remains of a small cemetery of the 19th-20th centuries, where two monuments have survived:

• an obelisk with a propeller image belonging to a buried flight mechanic in 1938;
• a concrete tombstone in honor of the machine gunner who died in the Great Patriotic War in 1942

The monastery rock abounds in a large number of caves. In one of them, approximately in the 7th-9th centuries, the currently known Inkerman St. Clement cave monastery was built, which was dedicated to the saint who died in Chersonesos. The temple was often taken away from the clergy, and after a short period of time it was returned again. So, the last time the church was destroyed in 1907, during the war. It passed back to Christians only after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

As you can see from the diagram in the picture, the underground city and not only has many places where a tourist can see architectural structures, feel the spirit of the past, long gone times.

Today, the Kalamita fortress is part of the Chersonesos reserve, which is due to the discovery of drawings on the walls of ships with detailed drawings. This discovery was made in 1968, when one of the destroyed towers was being restored. According to scientists, the drawings belong to the XIV-XV centuries.

Today no one can say the exact time when the fortress was erected, but historians still believe that the construction began no later than the 6th century.

The village of Inkerman can be reached in all convenient ways. If you have your own car, a navigator will help you. Or you can go there by train, bus, or even a boat. It is worth noting that a tourist will get more pleasure from a boat trip, as it will take place near the Sevastopol Bay.

If you go by bus, then You should start your trip from Sevastopol, get to Vtormet, and then orient yourself at a gas station and start going up to the temple complex.

When you are driving your own vehicle, you should go on the highway E 105 or M 18. At the Black River you will see a turn to the right, where you will see a fortress.

Many tourists who have visited the Kalamita fortress, not without reason, believe that this is an extremely interesting place with a rich history. Although little is left of it, it should still be visited. It is at this place that you can touch the remains of a bygone era and admire the mesmerizing views that open from the cliff.

And also tourists can visit the monastery complex. You can visit such a place, visit the ruins of a medieval fortress on your own, or with the help of a guide.

If you find yourself in Crimea, then you simply have to go on an excursion to the fortress, as well as the monastery itself. The cost of the excursion in the latter is no more than 100 rubles.

You can look at the Kalamita fortress (Inkerman) in the video below.