Reserve "Tauric Chersonesos": photos and reviews of tourists

Chersonese Tavrichesky - this is the name that was born in the city, which was founded by the ancient Greek colonists more than two and a half thousand years ago. The settlement was arranged in the south-western part of the Crimean peninsula. Today the ruins of this settlement are a landmark of Sevastopol. But those people who first come to the Crimean capital, first of all visit the dolphinarium, Panorama, the museum of the Black Sea Fleet and the Aquarium and only after that go to the ancient Chersonese. But arriving in Sevastopol for the second time, tourists immediately go to Chersonese, where there is an opportunity to enjoy the whole day historical monuments, forgetting about the existence of civilization.

The origins of the city

The future Tauric Chersonesos at the very beginning was a small village, glued to one of the banks of the bay, which today is called Quarantine. Arriving on the peninsula, the colonists brought with them weapons, food supplies, household utensils. They also took clothes, a work tool, and, possibly, cattle. Landed on the coast of the quarantine, the colonists settled close to the bay, placing their tents near their ships. They also built temporary housing for themselves. These were dugouts and huts. After that, the newly arrived people started building permanent shelters.

Chersonese (photos presented in our article) later spread to a fairly large territory. But the site on this shore of the bay was and is the most comfortable for habitation. After all, nature itself prepared the quarantine role of the place used for parking of ships. Therefore, at the beginning of the life of the settlers, the bay here was of immense importance. This was the only road that connected them with the motherland and the source of provisions (fishing). Another fact, thanks to which this area is considered the best, is that it is protected from the influence of cold winds from the northeast and from the north by a hill. Ancient Chersonesus at an early stage occupied no more than four acres of the area. Its population numbered about a thousand and a half people.

From Chersonese to Kherson

The name "Chersonese" from the Greek language is translated as "peninsula". "Tavrichesky" means the one that is in Taurica, in the Taurus lands. And the Tauris themselves were members of a militant tribe, which had a bad reputation. This people constantly fought and was extremely ferocious. Their homeland was the modern Crimea. The Chersonesos of the Taurus were surrounded almost from all sides.

The city-state of Chersonese existed almost two thousand years. And the history of his life is relevant not only to Ukraine, but also to countries such as Byzantium, Ancient Rome and Ancient Greece. Chersonese Taurian was founded as a colony of the rich and famous Greek city of Herakleia Pontus. Therefore, in his culture, Hellenic customs and traditions took place for a long time. He also possessed the title of a commercial settlement, and also conducted military operations with the Bosporus kingdom and with the Scythians.

In the Middle Ages, Chersonesus was renamed Kherson, although in the manuscripts of Ancient Rus there is the name Korsun. For thousands of years Chersonesus (photo above) was part of the all-powerful Byzantine Empire. Therefore, the city became a Christian capital on the entire Crimean peninsula. And in 1399 Kherson was looted and burned by the army of Khan Yedigei.

Foundation of the reserve

In 1892, where the Chersonese was located (map is located further), an archaeological museum was established. And in 1994, by decree of the President of Ukraine acting at the time, he was given the status of the national reserve "Chersonese Tavrichesky". The reserve is located on an area of 500 hectares. And every year it is visited by three hundred thousand people. Among the main tasks of the museum are:

• Research of a scientific nature.
• Security.
• Restoration of cultural and architectural monuments.
• Popularization.
• Creating conditions for recreation and tourism.
• Effective and rational use of the existing heritage.

The reserve "Chersonese Tavrichesky" has at its disposal a hillfort, which belongs to the V century. BC. E. - XV century. N. E., A medieval fortress, the fortress of Cembalo, which is located in Balaklava and belongs to the XIII-XVIII centuries. In addition, there are still unique in their kind of antique farmsteads and allotments, which demonstrate the first Archaeological Park on the territory of Ukraine.

Reserve for high minds

Each of the departments of the institution can boast of highly qualified specialists who are the real enthusiasts of what they are doing. Among the staff of the reserve there are six candidates of historical sciences, and ten people are just preparing for the process of protecting their scientific works. The national reserve "Chersonese Tavrichesky" is under the direction of the General Director Leonid Vasilievich Marchenko. He holds the title of Honored Worker of Culture of the Ukrainian state and a candidate of historical sciences.

Thanks to the presence of unique monuments and trained employees, Chersonese became a base for the practice of students and students. So, in due time here practical courses of training pupils from institutes and universities of St.-Petersburg, Moscow, Kharkov and Kiev passed.

Chersonese Tavrichesky attracts considerable interest from specialists from foreign countries. Thus, in the publications of these countries, articles and notes on the ancient city often appear, and at international conferences it is often possible to hear reports on research conducted in this city.

Interesting Chersonese

It was in this village that those who were against the policy of the rulers of Constantinople were once in exile. Among such people were the self-styled scion of Roman IV, Justinian's rival Philippe Vardan and, in fact, Justinian II himself, as well as Pope Martin. In Chersonese there is an ancient theater, which is the only one of its kind in the entire territory of the SNM. The city of Kherson was so named by the Empress Catherine II in honor of the ancient Chersonesos.

Theater of Chersonesos

Crimea Chersonesus, as already mentioned, became the owner of the ancient theater, which was erected at the turn of the III-IV centuries. The theater could accommodate more than one thousand spectators at a time. When Chersonesus was under the rule of ancient rulers, the theater was used as an arena for gladiatorial fights. When, in the Roman Empire, Christianity became the main confession, all kinds of performances were banned. And on the ruins of the theater built a couple of luxurious churches.

Sights of Chersonesos

Among the monuments of the ancient city, worthy of everyone's attention, one can call a fog bell. It was cast in 1778. For its manufacture used Turkish captured guns. The task of the bell was to warn of ships that were passing by the shore in bad weather. When the Crimean War passed the landmark was taken to the French capital. Only in 1913 the misty bell was returned to its rightful place.

The symbol of Chersonesos is considered to be the "big basilica". It was the first local temple that was built in the sixth century. Then the city was ruled by the Emperor of Byzantium Justinian I. The floor of the church was lined with mosaic. Already in the X century on the ruins of the previous basilica was built a new temple. For the construction of this church architects used the wreckage of the old temple. Marble was used to make the columns of the building, and they weighed about 350 kilograms.

Reviews and opinions of tourists

Those who were fortunate enough to visit the unique and unsurpassed Chersonesos say that the only historical finds of their kind make it possible to touch ancient civilizations and soak up their spirit. After all, the history of more than one state here can be read on every stone. Tourists claim that Chersonese is like a time machine that carries people in times of conquest, gladiatorial battles and the first theatrical performances.