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| Chufut-Kaleh cave city |
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The limestone escarpments around Bakhchisarai are riddled with caves, which served as home to neolithic inhabitants long before the first recorded settlements.
The remains of Chufut-Kaleh (`Jewish fortress') lie at the head of a steep-sided valley on the outskirts of Bakhchisarai, about a mile's walk from the Khan's Palace.
It's a combination of caves and the ruins of buildings which were built around and above them. The views from the top are stunning and well worth the climb!
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| Weathered natural sculptures |
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The mouths of caves gape everywhere in cliffs sculpted by centuries of wind and rain. The earliest references to the town are as a Byzantine outpost. In 1299 it was besieged and captured by the Tatars, who lived there until the 16th century, when they moved down the valley to Bakhchisarai. Over the centuries of Tatar rule Karaim artisans and merchants moved into the town, and remained there after the Tatars left - hence the town's name. |
| The Crimean Karaim homepage defines Karaism as "Mosaism, an independent, non sectarian, monotheistic religion of Abraham. Anan Ben David, the founder of the actual Karaite religion, preached about a return to the written word of the Old Testament. He refused to recognize Talmudic thought. This religion is distinct from Rabbinical Judaism". There is an active Karaim community in Crimea today. |
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| The Knessa |
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When you're nearly at the plateau at the head of the valley, you'll pass two Knessa buildings (Karaim temples), partially restored, dating from the 14th and 18th centuries respectively
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| Just one of the views from the top! |
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You can tell why successive groups of inhabitants recognised the advantages of living here. The caves could be used for storage in peacetime and defense when under attack. But the strategic advantage of being able to see for miles in all directions from the top can't be overestimated. |
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