Ancient landmark of Crimea - Funa fortress

2024 Author: Harold Hamphrey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:06

Crimea can be attributed to the most sightseeing areas in the world. This applies to both natural and cultural features of the peninsula, located at the junction of the eastern and western worlds, vanished civilizations and successive states. Some of them managed to be present here in one time period. An example of a witness to such events is the Funa fortress in Alushta.

What is remarkable?

The name "Funa" is translated from Greek as "smoky". It received its name in honor of Mount Demerdzhi. Funa Fortress is built at the foot of this most beautiful peak of the southern coast of Crimea. In these places, by the way, the legendary "Prisoner of the Caucasus" and other Soviet films were filmed.

In ancient times, the Small Silk Road passed through this place, going from Gorzuvit (Gurzuf now) and Aluston (Alushta in modern times) to Kafu (now Feodosia). It is no coincidence that on such a populara fortress appeared along the trade route to protect trade caravans, and at the same time to collect money from them for the opportunity to pass.

Funa Fortress was listed as part of the Orthodox Principality of Theodoro, which was in constant confrontation with the Genoese and Muslims. The area of the fortification was small - 56 meters wide and 106 meters long. From the western side, it entered the rock, and from the rest it was covered by defensive walls 15 meters high. Funa Fortress was first mentioned in 1384. But in most sources, the end of the construction of the complex is dated 1422.

Long story

A powerful earthquake that occurred immediately after this date led to the fact that the fortress began to be rebuilt again already in 1425. But the tests are not over. And the blows of the elements were replaced by repeated fires, each time literally incinerating the Funa fortress. In 1459, a significant reconstruction was carried out in the building, which transformed this structure into a castle. After that, a donjon was built at the entrance gate in three tiers with a height of 15 meters and a wall thickness of 2.3 meters. It contained the apartments of the heir to the throne of Theodoria.

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

Now an important role in the historical heritage of the architectural ensemble of the Funsk fortress is played by the ruins of the church of St. Theodore Stratilat, the best preserved during the attack of the Ottoman Turks. The church was repeatedly rebuilt and renovated, so it existed until the beginning of the 20th century.

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

Archaeological finds

During the excavations of the complex, archaeologists discovered amulets in the masonry walls. The builders of the fortress in masonry, most likely to protect against dark forces, had walled up crosses with the relics of saints. A marble stone was also found with the date of construction of the structure and the princely symbols of Theodoro. A copy of this find is installed in front of the entrance.

After the capture of the Crimea by the Nazi invaders, large-scale excavations were organized in the wake of local legends about the queen of the Goths and the treasures of the Gothic crown hidden in these places. They did not lead to any significant results, but the legends of the buried crown are still alive.

Current State

Today, the Funa fortress is a ruin, which is a pile of stones on the site of a two-storychurch, front yard and all Funa with shops of merchants, taverns and residential buildings. Only a single fragment of the church apse, hanging over a large garden by the road, recalls the former grandeur of the fortification. Looking around the ruins, one can easily imagine the scope of construction and the power of the fortification, the width of the walls of which in some places reached two meters.

A semicircular ledge is visible above the ruins - the apse, which once served as the altar of the fortress church. The altar was practically intact until the thirties of the last century. Nearby were residential buildings, in place of which now there is only a pile of stones. About three hundred meters north of the ruins are the burials of the inhabitants of the village and the Funa fortress.

Museum work

Today, on the site of the former fortress, there is an open-air museum. On its territory, tourists are greeted by a model showing a view of the current fortress. Tours are organized here from almost all cities of Crimea. The cost of an excursion around the territory of the open-air museum is the lowest. Walking on the neighboring rocks is free. The museum is open from 8:00 to 17:00.

Funa Fortress: how to get there?

An important advantage of Funa is its accessibility for tourists. Tourists pass by it, traveling from Simferopol to Alushta. Stopping along the way, in just an hour and a half you can see the ruins that the real medieval fortress of Funa left behind. Photo for memory on the background of the famous Crimean sightsshould definitely stay in your album.

This interesting monument of archeology and medieval architecture is located north of the village of Radiant, about two kilometers away. You can get there from the side of Alushta by regular bus from the city bus station. From the Radiant side, a little lower than the Kutuzovsky fountain, there is an asph alt road. You can also travel by car. By the way, in Radiant itself there is an opportunity to ride horses. A number of companies organize these tours.