Crimean Legend - Queen Feodora

Long long ago it was, much water has flowed under the bridge since then, but the legend of the splendid and steadfast beauty Feodora - the queen of the Sugdeya was handed on by folk-memory from generation to generation. Feodora took a celibate vow in order to focus her energies at blessing of her kingdom.

Since her childhood Feodora grew up together with two twins - Irakley and Konstantin, the sons of one of the local princes. With age their childish attachment to Feodora turned into a deep feeling of love. Competition in love caused to quarrel the brothers.

Irakley nursed a thought: either in any price to obtain Feodora and power over the kingdom or to be the undoing of her. The second brother Konstantin was kind and honest. He didn't look for power, his only wish was to be alongside his beloved and support her.

Thus Irakley ventured into the betrayal. Forcing his way to Kafa he persuaded a Genoa Consul to attack Sugdeya promissing his support in seizuring the town. On account for his perfidy the traitor demanded to give Feodora in marriage.

...A bloody battle lasted for 2 months. Feodora and Konstantin were at the head of defenders of the town. But the forces were not equal. The enemy conquered. Feodora, Konstantin and a few of warriors and inhabitants escaped to the north and had found a refuge in Alustone fortress.

Soon the people of Kafa began a siege of Alustone. Seeing that there was no hope to hold the positions of the town Feodora withdrew the warriors and inhabitans from Alustone and they hid in the Castel-mountain.

But the genouense overtook the fugitives even there. With the help of Irakley-betrayer they managed to penetrate into the fortress. Finally the traitor was unmasked and killed by intrepid Feodora. Her sword gave no quarter to enemies. But the forces were still unequal... The Castle was seizured.

On the south-west slope of the mountain the dark stripes are still seen. They are as folk-rumour tells the streams of coagulated blood of the fortress' defenders, fell in action headed by their glorious queen, the queen-warrior Feodora.

Sugdeya - a present-day Sudak;

Kafa - a present-day Feodosiya;

Alustone - a present-day Alushta;

Castle mountain - is situated to the west from Alushta.