Eski-Kermen

The site of ancient town of Eski-Kermen (which means "The Old Fortress" in tatar language) is located Bakhchisaraysky district in the Crimea, 6 km to the south of the village of Krasnyi Mak (the Red Poppy).

The settlement, covering area of 8,5 hectares is situated on the plateu of the precipitous mesa. According to archeological sources the fortress was built at the close of the 6th century, on the initiative of Byzantine autohorities. Its garrison consisted of the goths and alans - the federates of the empire.

Eski was not only a fortress, but also a major center of trade, religion and commerce. Agriculture, however, was the basis of its economy. Fertile valleys were used to cultivate vines, vegetables and fruit.

Its powerful defense system with walls made from lime-stone blocks of 2m wide and 3,5m height, relatively well-developed economy and advantageous position made Eski-Kermen an important political and administrative center in South-Western Crimea, until the close of the VIIIth century, when an insurrection of the local populations in the mountains of the Crimea against the domination of the Khazars drastically changed the fate of the town. The Khazars suppressed the uprising and having no need for fortresses, they ruined the defense structures of Eski.

In the late 10th century the Byzantine dominion was restored. Since that time the medieval town had been gradually forming at Eski-Kermen. The town continued to exist until it was completely destroyed in 1299 by the hordes of Emir Nogai.

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