Syuyrenska fortetsya
FAQFrequently asked questions
What is the Suyren fortress and how old is it?
This is a medieval fortification in the Crimea, which was built at the end of the 6th century with the participation of Byzantine craftsmen. Later, it became part of the principality of Feodoro and covered the approaches to his capital - Mangup.
Where is it and how to get there?
The fortress stands in the Bakhchysaray district, above the valley of the Belbek River. Landmarks are the village of Kuibysheve (about 2 km) and the villages of Velike and Male Sadove, from which the fortification is about a kilometer uphill on foot.
What has been preserved there and what to see?
The main decoration is a round defense tower about 8 meters in diameter with a vaulted ceiling. Two sections of the walls with a total length of about 110 meters remained, and inside the tower - the remains of frescoes of the XIII-XIV centuries.
What else is interesting nearby?
Chelter Koba cave monastery is hidden nearby, so it is convenient to combine the fortress with it in one route. The Turks destroyed the fortifications as early as 1475, but the ruins still stand guard over the valley.
Where did the name Suyren come from?
The name is usually derived from the Gothic word scivaro - that is, a fragment of rock or stone. As for a structure guarding a rocky valley, quite apt.
