Crimea choban kale. Choban-Kule - a medieval tower in the Crimea. History of life on the cape

Location:

5 km east of the village. Marine, at Cape "Tower".

Morskoye has become one of the popular Crimean resorts due to its good location and the presence of several attractions. The list of advantages of the location of this settlement begins with the nearby Sudak - only 17 km, and the close sea - Black, warm, suitable for thalassotherapy from May to October inclusive. The parade of local attractions is opened by the Morskoye state enterprise, which belongs to the Massandra agricultural association and specializes in the production of fortified and dessert wines. The slopes of the Sea, free from sanatoriums, private hotels and vineyards, are occupied by tobacco plantations. On Cape Tower rises the second famous attraction of the resort - Chaban-Kale castle.

This fortification enriched the "tourist set" of the Marine in the 15th century. It was built by Genoese merchants from the diGuasco family. All three Guasco brothers - Teodoro, Demetrio and Andreolo were distinguished by an independent character and an extremely grumpy disposition. Having quarreled to the nines with the consul of the nearby Soldaya, who was sitting in the Genoese fortress on the territory of present-day Sudak, the brothers started building their own castle. Naturally, they did not have the base left to the Genoese by the Alans, Khazars and Byzantines, as well as the amount of funds that the Republic of Genoa had allocated for the creation of the Sudak fortress. Therefore, the castle in Morskoy came out much more modest. By the way, under the brothers he was called Tasili. And the Tatars who appeared later crossed the fort into "Cheban-Kale", that is, into the "shepherd's tower".

For their castle, the de Guasco brothers chose a rock hanging over the sea. Today it is known as Cape Tower. From under it oozes a small stream - Chaban-Kale-Chokrak, which provided the garrison of the fortress with fresh water. Due to the fact that the Chaban-Kale castle is located on a hill, all of its towers offer an excellent view. In clear weather, the sentinels could see not only what was happening on Cape Meganom or near Ayudag, but also the ships that had set sail from the pier of the Soldaiskaya Genoese fortress.

Unfortunately, today only fragments of the fortified wall and two-thirds of the Donjon remain from the oppositional fortification composition of the de Guasco brothers. This is the dominant tower in the castle of the Italian feudal lords. Traditionally, it was built in the most inaccessible place of the fortress. In the event of a siege, she played the role of headquarters, warehouse and first-aid post. The Donjon à la Chaban-Kale variant is a picturesquely trimmed "cylinder" built with bricks from the Crimean shell rock. The inlet and small loophole windows have been preserved.

A settlement adjoined the Chaban-Kale castle. The skeletons of houses and pottery kilns have been preserved. They were dug right into the body of the rock, and then lined with mud bricks. The products of local potters were also found here - amphoras, flasks and pithos. Firstly, pottery from under Chaban-Kale was traded throughout the South Coast. Secondly, two-meter amphorae and pithoi were the containers in which most goods were transported in those days. Such finds allow us to say that the de Guasco brothers managed to take control of a part of the flow of wine, grain and tail fat, directed from the steppe and mountainous Crimea to the Black Sea ports.

The current state of the tower and fortifications does not allow to place a museum here, as is done in the Sudak fortress, but these sights of the Sea look extremely picturesque. Because of this, the Chaban-Kale castle is an ideal place for a historical reenactment of knightly battles or a romantic wedding photo shoot. Increasingly, history buffs, semi-professional photographers and newly-formed families choose holidays in the Crimea on the territory of Morskoye.

How to get there:

from Morskoye, on your own or hired transport, you need to drive 5.5 km east along the R-29 Sudak-Alushta highway to the Chaban-Kale campsite, then on foot, which will not only strengthen your health, but also give you an unforgettable experience from the surrounding landscapes.

Crimea is one of the most popular places for summer holidays. There are especially many car tourists on the peninsula. Since only in the Crimea you can enjoy the purest sea air and all the delights of a "wild" holiday. The most important question that worries the bulk of such vacationers is the place to stop.

Fortunately, in the Crimea there are a huge number of campsites and car campsites with different levels of comfort and pricing. Wherever you go, you can find a campsite. For example, in one of the most picturesque areas, near the Choban-Kule tower, there is a comfortable, inexpensive car camping of the same name.

Location, description of the campsite near Choban-Kul, Crimea

The campsite is located near Cape Choban-Kule, located in the Sudak region, near the village of Morskoye. There are beautiful places that are considered historical monuments. The air and sea in this area are very clean, and the beaches to choose from: pebble or sand.

The campsite itself near Choban-Kul is also clean, the garbage is taken out regularly. There are designated areas for waste collection. In addition, here you can stay both in your tent or motorhome, and in specially designated living quarters.

Camping offers good living conditions:

- there is a toilet;

- drinking water;

- electricity;

- dressing rooms.

Fresh food and soft drinks can be bought in a small shop, on the campsite, or you can go to the nearest village to get them. But the prices for food are almost the same.

If you don’t want to cook on your own, you can have a tasty meal in a cozy cafe available at the campsite. Pleasant staff and lovingly prepared food will not leave you indifferent. Well, for lovers of a real “wild” holiday, there is an opportunity to cook your favorite dishes on your own. Almost next to their tents.

Beautiful landscapes, clear warm sea and a good range of services make camping near Choban-Kule more and more popular every year.

If desired, each guest of the camping has the opportunity to visit the main attractions of this side of the Crimea. And not only that, because traveling in your own car means complete freedom of movement.

Prices 2017, reviews

Prices for 2017 for accommodation in a campsite near Choban-Kul can be checked on the website of the campsite. The reviews of the guests are mostly positive, you can see for yourself.

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Choban-Kule is one of the famous sights of the Sudak region.

Several centuries ago, on a small humpbacked cape not far from Soldaya (Sudak), the construction of a fortress began. The instigator of this construction was the di Guasco family. The head of the family - Antonio, a native of the city of Genoa, and his three adult sons went down in history as tyrants and bandits. The oppression of the local population and open confrontation with the Consul of Soldaya are confirmed by several documents from that era.

It seems that the fortress was never built to the end. Only a part of the main fortress tower - the donjon - has survived to this day. And what the fortress was called then, in the 15th century, we do not know. The name "Choban-Kule" - the Shepherd's Tower - was assigned to it after the invasion of the Crimea by the Ottoman Empire (in 1475).

Although Choban-Kule is close to Sudak, I climbed up to it for the first time quite recently.

The easiest way to see Choban-Kule is for residents and guests of the Morskoye village. The coast near this village stretches in a smooth line from Cape Ai-Fok to Cape Agira. In my notes there is already one that closes the bay from the east. And I haven’t gone to Cape Agira, a little protruding into the sea from the opposite side, in the west.
In December, my friends and I were going to go towards the southern coast of Crimea, and I, taking the opportunity, suggested that Choban-Kule be the first point of the program.

The path from the seashore to Choban-kul leads along a rather steep slope. But this ascent does not take long. There is also a more gentle path - from the pine forest, a little north of the hill with the tower.
Rising above the sea, I was surprised - how silky it is today! So tender and cold... And the small swirls of water near the shore are like thin white lace. Ai-Foka, Karaul-Oba and Meganom float into the silky sea...

I was the first to climb the dilapidated wall of the tower. Interestingly, the thickness of the wall varies: on the northeast side, it is twice as large as in the rest of the tower.

From the monumental donjon, the basement, first and partially second ground floors have been preserved. Now the height of the tower reaches nine meters, presumably, it was at least three or four meters higher ( quote from here).

Over the past decades, the coast and long wild beaches under Choban-Kul have become a popular destination for car camping.
Popularity and accessibility usually have a downside. Unfortunately, Choban-Kule is heavily covered with inscriptions both inside and outside...
View from the tower to the east:

West view:

View from the south side:

View from the north:

In the 15th century, the castle di Guasco should have become the extreme western stronghold of the Sudak consulate. But the unprincipled behavior of the di Guasco brothers and the powerful offensive of the Ottoman Turks prevented this plan. The unfinished fortress fell into disrepair. And a small settlement, located under the walls of the fortress, disappeared from the face of the earth ...

It is difficult for us, not archaeologists or historians, to imagine how the di Guasco castle looked like - with turrets, defensive walls and an adjoining household courtyard - more than five hundred years ago. Now we see here only hills washed out by rains and a dilapidated donjon ... But, anyway, this landscape is a valuable addition to the treasury of impressions!

Fortress ruins:

We go back to the beach. Cape Meganom is no longer visible, it was overwhelmed by a cloudy wave.

A grove of maklure grows on the shore! How many fruits they dropped!

Maclura apple-bearing(Adam's apple), family Mulberry is a deciduous, usually tall tree, on which interesting fruits ripen in autumn. They are inedible, used only in traditional medicine (for the treatment of joints, varicose veins, sciatica, rheumatism, etc.). A heavy fruit, inside of which small nut seeds are hidden, releases a white sticky liquid when injured. In my opinion, maclura looks great in nature and in parks. Tree branches densely strewn with round "apples" look very elegant! And the close "edible" relatives of maclura are figs and mulberries.

It's empty inside, just stupid writing on the walls right there.

We lingered in a pine forest near Choban-Kul. December was mushroom month! Someone has already walked here, leaving the "conditionally edible" russula intact. Masha and Lenya decided to collect and cook them all the same (after cooking, the russula lost its pungent taste). In addition to russula, in the pine forest we came across butterflies and gray ones, if I'm not mistaken.

We return to the cars.
The usual silhouette of Choban-Kule, which is visible from the highway: a round tower with a "stool" at the top...

Opposite is a hillock with a tower, on the road there is a fork. You can turn north and go to Zelenogorye,. The beauty is there! But, this time we drive further along the south coast highway, to Generalskoye, and from there - on foot to the Dzhur-Dzhur waterfall! I hope to find him very full-flowing.

The road winds, climbing one of the coastal hills. We stopped: we wanted to see how low clouds were moving in from the east. Choban-Kule is no longer over the Black, but over the White Sea ... In the distance, the Sandyk and Perch mountains are visible.

What was the name of the castle and the surrounding area is unknown. Only the name in Tatar is known. Chaban-Kale is translated from the Tatar language as "shepherd's fortress" or as Chaban-Kule "shepherd's tower".

Geography

Chaban-Kale is located near the village of Morskoye, near Sudak. In the same area there was a source of Chaban-Kale-Chokrak, from which the Chaban-Kale-Yozen stream went further.

Archeology

In the area of ​​​​the village of Morskoye (where Chaban-Kale is also located), pottery of the 8th-9th centuries was discovered. The ovens were cut into the rising slope and made of mud bricks. They mainly produced round-bottom egg-shaped amphoras, flat-bottomed vessels, round flat flasks and pithoi for sale along the entire Crimean coast, where pottery was required.

From a 15th century castle brothers Guasco remained only a round sentinel (donjon) and at its foot the remains of the walls. In addition, parts of residential buildings that used to form the settlement at the castle were discovered.

Notes

Literature

• Andreev A. R. History of Crimea: Brief description of the past of the Crimean peninsula. - M.: Interregional Center for Industry Informatics of Gosatomnadzor of Russia, 1997. - 97 p.
• Keppen P. On the antiquities of the southern coast of the Crimea and the Tauride Mountains. - St. Petersburg: Imperial Academy of Sciences, 1837. - 409 p.
• Myts V. L., Kirilko V. P., Lysenko A. V., Tatarintsev S. V., Teslenko I. B. Studies of the medieval fortification of Chaban-Kule // Archaeological research in the Crimea. 1994. - 1997. - No. 1. - S. 200-208.
• Shilik K.K. On the magnetic prospecting of pottery kilns near Chaban-Kule // Brief reports of the Institute of Archeology. - 1974. - Issue. 140. - S. 115-120.
• Yakobson A. L. Medieval Crimea: Essays on the history and history of material culture. - M.-L.: Nauka, 1964. - 232 p.

Four kilometers to the south-west of the village of Morskoy there is a steep, steep Cape Agir. Several campsites and tent camps are located at the foot. The top of the cape is crowned with the ruins of the medieval Shepherd's Tower of Choban-Kule. Some sources claim that the first fortifications were built on the cape by the Byzantines two thousand years ago. However, first things first.

Photos from users:

Helpful information:

• The tower is clearly visible from Cape Ai-Fok, the village of Morskoye and coastal campsites near Privetnoye. The height of the remains is 9-10 meters.
• Researchers believe that the construction of the castle took place in the middle of the 15th century.

Medieval manners and customs

The tower became famous during the time of the Genoese owners, dad and three brothers di Guasco (their names were Andreollo, Dimitri, Teodoro). In the middle of the 15th century, they captured the surrounding villages of Tassili and Gromovka and established extremely cruel orders. To intimidate the inhabitants, a gallows was placed in the center of Privetnoye, and a pillory was placed on the border of the property. Even the Consul of Sudak could not calm the brothers down. The confrontation was resolved in the hot July 1475: the Turks captured the coast and the cruelty of the former owners was quickly forgotten.

The appearance of the building in the Middle Ages

The castle had a square shape and was small in area. In the center stood the donjon, the tower in which the di Guasco brothers lived. It is built from massive boulders brought from the seashore and pieces of rock. Fortress walls with loopholes at the corners stretched along the outer perimeter. The thickness of the walls was from 2 to 4 meters, outbuildings made of clay were molded to them from the inside. In the western part stood a small temple. From the castle, an underground chord led to the foot of Cape Aghir.

Video review Choban kule

Choban-Kule tower today

Now you can get inside the tower from the southwest side. The basement, first and partially second floor are well preserved. Inside, you can see a niche in the wall (archaeologists speculate about its purpose). In the basement there is a pool for collecting fresh water and utility rooms. The blank walls of the first floor suggest that there were storage rooms here. Living rooms were higher, on the level of the second floor a fireplace and an embrasure were well preserved.

What to visit in the area

In the village of Morskoe there is a branch of the museum. Here are kept original documents that shed light on the history of the fortress. The correspondence of the Sudak consul Soldaya, the venerable Christoforo di Negro, with the metropolis is interesting. It contains complaints about the scandalous temper and tyranny of the di Guasco brothers, their unwillingness to obey the Sudak community. According to this meager information, one can imagine part of the events of that harsh era.

You can stop overnight in neighboring villages, put up a tent at the Privetnoe campsite or the Livecamp tent camp.

How to get to Choban-Kule and Cape Agir

On the regular bus Alushta-Sudak, you need to get to the stop. It is located between the villages of Privetnoe and Morskoe. Then you will have to walk a couple of kilometers along a dirt road to Cape Agir. The tower will be visible from afar.

With your own car, the route is similar, only you can drive almost to the tower itself.

Choban-Kule on the map of Crimea

GPS Coordinates: 44°48’40″N 34°44’45″E Latitude/Longitude