RUSS 50-01: Bakhchisarai
The Tatar Khan chose Bakhchisarai as the site for his grandest palace, which also became the administrative center of his Khanate, the last Tatar khanate to be conquered by Russia. It is located in the Crimea next to the river Chufuk-Su and the mountain Chufut-Kale, not too far from present-day Simferopol, in a scenic valley. The medieval architectural emsemble contains numerous fountains and beautiful landscaping. The old Moslem cemetary is preserved next to the palace. The entire palace complex is now a museum. Photo: Gitta Hammarberg 1997.
The Palace. Photo: V. Krymchak et al. card set, ed. by A. Red'ko
Two of many elaborate entrances in the palace. Photos: Gitta Hammarberg 1997.
This is a typical old Moslem cemetery, specifically that of the Khans. The tombstones for men are crowned by headdresses (turbans) according to the rank of the person buried. Photo from: Ves' gorod, kak volshebnyi krai, ed. G. N. Grzhibovskaia, Tavriia, 1993, p. 32
Photo: Gitta Hammarberg, 1997.
The tomb of Khan Girei (18th century). Photo: Gitta Hammarberg, 1997
The next pictures show you the harem, the women's quarters, an 18th-century reconstruction. Photo from: Ves' gorod, kak volshebnyi krai, ed. G. N. Grzhibovskaia, Tavriia, 1993, p. 39.
Harem interiors. Photos: Gitta Hammarberg, 1997
This is THE famous fountain that Pushkin sang of. Next to it today stands a bust of Pushkin and usually on the fountain itself devotees place fresh flowers.
Photo: V. Krymchak et al. card set, ed. by A. Red'ko
