Chembalo

Historic site 📍 Crimea

FAQFrequently asked questions

What is harpsichord and where to find it?

These are the ruins of a medieval fortress above Balaklava Bay within the boundaries of Sevastopol. It stands on Fortress Hill, so don't miss it.

Who built it and when?

The Genoese took up the cause in 1343, and the stone fortress was built between 1357 and 1433. In 1475, it was captured by the Turks and renamed to Balik-yuve, i.e. Fish's Nest.

What has survived to this day?

Defensive and retaining walls, four towers and ruins of the temple remain. The main donjon tower, about 20 meters high, partially collapsed back in 2008, so tread carefully.

What makes this place interesting for history?

It was near Cembalo in 1434 that the Genoese used artillery for the first time in the Crimea - a siege with guns was quite a novelty at that time.

Where did this name come from?

The root comes from the Greek Symbolon, meaning harbor. Genoese merchants reworked it in their own way - that's how Cembalo came out.

Source: Wikipedia ↗

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