Tepe-Kermen
Tepe-Kermen is a medieval cave town on the top of Ostanets Mountain in the Bakhchisaray district of Crimea. Life here flourished from the 6th to the 14th century, until the city fell into decline, most likely after the raid of the Nogai gold prospector around 1299. It flourished in the 12th and 13th centuries, so today you are looking at an epilogue rather than a golden age.
The last mountain rises 535 meters above sea level, and rises as much as 225 meters above the surrounding valleys, so the ascent will be felt. The prize will be about 250 caves - an almost complete set of all types of cave chambers that can only be found in Crimean cave cities.
Among the caves, it is worth looking at the cave temples - the Church with a baptistery and the Church with a sacristy, where carved crosses and Greek inscriptions have been preserved. The place is wild and sparsely populated, so it is suitable for those who appreciate ruins without crowds.
FAQFrequently asked questions
What is Tepe Kermen anyway?
This is a medieval cave town on the top of Ostanets Mountain in the Bakhchysaray district of Crimea. It lived from the 6th to the 14th century until it fell into disrepair - most likely after the raid of the Nogai gold rush around 1299.
Will you have to climb high?
Ostanets Mountain rises 535 meters above sea level, and rises as much as 225 meters above the surrounding valleys. So prepare your legs - the ascent will be noticeable.
What can be done here?
Count the caves: there are about 250 of them, and this is almost a complete set of all types of cave chambers that only occur in Crimean cave cities. At the same time, take a look at the cave temples - the Church with the baptistery and the Church with the sacristy, where carved crosses and Greek inscriptions have been preserved.
When was the city at its peak?
It flourished in the XII-XIII centuries. Then it went downhill, so now you're looking at the epilogue rather than the golden age - but the ruins didn't become any less interesting.
Tours visiting this place
Reports from these routes
Featured in articles
How I became a real tourist. Chronology of one transformation
Trip ReportsКак голодные кобры, которые уже проглотили крысу, но теперь заметили кое-что помельче, но тоже живое, товарищи по походу уставились на меня, оцепив полукругом бревно, на которое я присела.
Tourist route (Crimea) etc. b. "Halt" - trans. Tepe-Kerman - Art. Scientific
Tips & GuidesTourist sites in the mountains of Crimea
Tips & GuidesWith a kindergarten in Crimea
Trip Reports2 травня Вранці встаємо, снідаємо і рухаємося до наступного печерного міста Тепе-Кермен.
It was raining over the sea
Trip ReportsТепер, якщо десь я почую репліку: «Я шок упіймав!», то ми з цією людиною були в поході!
Show 2 →
Trekking in Crimea at the beginning of September 2011
Blog17 сентября состоится поход по маршруту "Пещерные города Крыма", Бахчисарай - пещерный город Чуфут-Кале - пещерные города Тепе-Кермен - пещерный город Мангуп.
Fire on Babugan
BlogСьогодні з вершини Тепе Кермена я помітив величезну білу хмару, що піднімається над плато Бабуган.