Kerch is a unique city. It stands in the very place where the waters of two seas meet - not without reason, even before our era, these lands were literally occupied by settlers from Hellas, having built several colonies here. It is a pity that only ruins remain from the ancient Panticapaeum, Myrmekia and Nympheus, but these ancient stones remember dozens of past centuries.
In Kerch, there is simply an incredible number of attractions from different periods: the tombs of the Bosporan kings, an exceptional and somehow miraculously preserved temple of the VIII century, a Turkic fortress and architectural monuments from the period of the Russian Empire. Local sandy beaches are an excellent alternative to the rocky bays of the southern coast of Crimea. Some of the bathing areas even seem to be more landscaped and adapted for relaxation and comfort.
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What to see and where to go in Kerch?
The most interesting and beautiful places for walking. Photos and a short description.
Kerch ferry crossing
Since 2014, the ferry crossing is perhaps the only way to get from mainland Russia to Crimea. The transport hub functions well and smoothly, although in high season you can wait in line for several hours. On a short 20-minute journey from one shore to the other, you can admire the waves, flocks of seagulls hovering around the boat waiting for food, and even, if you're lucky, see a flock of bottlenose dolphins.
Mount Mithridates
A low 90-meter hill within the city limits, the geographical center of Kerch, where in ancient times the city of Panticapaeum was located. The place is named after the Pontic king. Within the territory of the mountain there are several architectural monuments of different times. At the top there is a memorial of Glory to the Immortal Heroes, erected in honor of the soldiers who died during the liberation of Crimea in 1943-44.
Great Mithridates Staircase
The staircase was originally built in the 19th century by the Italian architect A. Digby. It existed until the Crimean War, but as a result of the fighting it was damaged and destroyed. The restoration was started only after 130 years. The Kerch sculptor R.V. Serdyuk copied the ancient statues of griffins found during excavations and decorated the stairwells with them. After the collapse of a part of the structure, the next restoration work started in 2015.
Yenikale fortress
An 18th century Ottoman stronghold built by an Italian architect who was in the service of the Turks. This bastion was of strategic importance, as it prevented the passage of enemy ships through the narrow strait between the Black and Azov Seas. In 1771 Russian troops entered the fortress. By the end of the 19th century, it lost its military significance and was abandoned. At the moment, the attraction continues to deteriorate.
Kerch fortress
The fortification is located in the narrowest part of the Kerch Strait at Cape Ak-Burun. The complex was built in the middle of the 19th century to defend the borders of the Russian Empire. In Soviet times, the weapons depots of the Black Sea Fleet were located here. In 2003, after the disbandment of military units, the fortress was transferred to the disposal of the local museum-reserve. Today it functions as a tourist attraction.
Church of St. John the Baptist
An early medieval Orthodox church of the 8th century (the oldest part of it was built in the 6th century), a unique monument of Byzantine architecture and the oldest religious building in Crimea. The building acquired its final appearance in the 10th century during the existence of the Tmutarakan principality. The church is active, there is a modern iconostasis and utensils inside.
Panticapaeum
An ancient Greek colony that existed on the site of Kerch from the 7th century BC. In those distant times, magnificent temples stood here, and the streets and wide squares were full of people. Later Panticapaeum was part of the Bosporus kingdom, was under the Scythian and Roman protectorate. The rich city was destroyed by the Goths in the IV century, time completed the work - today only ruins have survived from its former splendor.
Demeter's crypt
An antique tomb with the remains of the original frescoes. Currently, it is located in the middle of urban development, in ancient times it was located on the territory of Panticapaeum. The crypt is a rectangular structure with walls made of boulders. A small corridor leads to the burial chamber. Considering the age of the wall painting, it is quite well preserved.
Adzhimushkay quarries
A complex of artificial caves, which were formed as a result of centuries of mining of shell rock. The place is famous for the fact that in 1942 the troops of the Crimean Front held the defense here. In 1966, the Defense Museum of the Adzhimushkay quarries was organized on the territory of underground mines, in 1982 a memorial was erected here in honor of the fallen soldiers. The entrance to the territory is located among stone slabs with figures of defenders carved into them.
Tsar's mound
Monument of the IV century BC, which is the tomb of one of the rulers of the Bosporus kingdom. The burial mound rises 17 meters above the surface, beneath it there is a 36-meter corridor and a burial chamber, lined with smooth blocks. The hill itself consists of three layers: stone, clay, a mixture of pebbles and earth. When the archaeologists got to the mound, it had already been plundered.
Melek-Chesmensky mound
Another tomb from the 4th century BC, excavated in the middle of the 19th century. During the work, archaeologists hoped that the mound remained inviolable and preserved all its treasures, but they were mistaken - it turned out to be as empty as Tsarsky. Local residents got used to taking out clay from here for household needs, but thanks to the money allocated from the state treasury, the attraction was preserved. The first museum was opened here in 1871.
Historical and Archaeological Museum
The museum was founded in 1926, which makes it one of the oldest in Crimea. During the Crimean War, the building was destroyed, and the exposition was plundered, some especially valuable items were taken to England, so now the exhibits of that time can be seen in the British Museum. Later, the collection began to be reassembled, and a new building was allocated to the museum. To date, more than 240 thousand copies are stored in its funds.
Lapidarium
The Lapidarium is a collection of art objects from the ancient era, found on excavations of settlements from the era of the Bosporus kingdom. Here sculptures, tombstones, elements of facade structures containing inscriptions and bas-reliefs, religious objects and much more are exhibited. The exposition is so diverse that it is appreciated all over the world. In total, there are about 6 thousand items in the lapidarium.
Kerch Picture Gallery
The building of the art gallery is located near the Great Mithridatskaya Staircase and is part of its architectural ensemble. The building was built in a classical style. The basis of the collection is made up of canvases by the founder of the museum, artist N. Ya. But, and specifically, the cycle “Adzhimushkai. 1942 ". In addition to paintings, the gallery also exhibits other exhibits: sculpture, ceramics, glassware and other art objects.
Museum of the history of the Eltigen landing
In 1943, near the village of Eltigen, Soviet paratroopers fought for 40 days with the German army, showing remarkable courage. From these events, the liberation of the Crimea from the invaders began. A museum was built at the landing site, which displays the belongings of soldiers, weapons and awards, as well as a memorial complex, which includes a mass grave, a monument, the remains of trenches and a boat on a pedestal.
The ancient city of Mirmeki
Mirmekiy is a colony of the Ionian Greeks, founded on the shores of the Kerch Strait in the 6th century BC. It existed until the X century, in the Middle Ages new settlements began to appear in its place, due to which the ancient cultural layer sank underground. The first finds on the territory of Mirmekia were made in the 1830s, but regular excavations began in the 20th century. Today it houses an archaeological complex.
Ancient settlement of Tiritaka
Another settlement of the ancient era, which has survived to this day in ruins. It is located on a high plateau within the city limits. The settlement existed until the 8th century, after which it was destroyed during the Turkic raids. Continuous excavations have been carried out at the site since the 1920s. As a result, the foundations of houses, the remains of stone-paved squares and streets were raised to the surface.
Ancient settlement of Nympheus
The ruins of an ancient Greek city, located about 17 km from Kerch. Considering the number of ancient colonies in the city itself and its surroundings, one might think that settling on Taurica was even more prestigious than in Greece itself. It is a pity that none of the cities of that era located in the Crimea have survived to this day. Nymphaeus are the same ruins as Mirmekij, Tyritaka and Panticapaeum.
Bulganak mud volcanoes
About 8 km from Kerch, on the territory of a shallow basin, there is a unique natural attraction - mud volcanoes. These are small lakes of a mixture of brown-gray earth and water, with a thick consistency. Each puddle has craters from which gas bubbles burst from time to time. Sometimes the volcano throws out a rather powerful mud fountain with a jet height of up to 20 meters.
Ostrich farm "Exotic"
Almost every seaside resort considers it necessary to have your own ostrich farm. Kerch did not lag behind - a couple of kilometers from the ferry in the village of Podmayachny, since 2004, these exotic birds have also been bred. The birds quickly acclimatized and almost immediately began to give birth to numerous offspring. Later they were joined by peacocks, pheasants, llamas, donkeys, ponies and other animals.
Chokrak lake
Salt lake, located near the village of Kurortnoye, 16 km from Kerch. Until 1917, there was a mud baths near it, until the 1940s salt was mined here. The reservoir is separated from the sea by a small strip of land, along which a strip of sandy beaches runs. Under certain lighting conditions, the surface of the lake acquires a pinkish tint, which looks very picturesque against the background of the surrounding steppe.
Cape Zyuk
The cape is the northern tip of the Kerch Peninsula. Even before our era, these lands were inhabited - a Greek settlement was located here (in Kerch and the environs, apparently, it is easier to find a place where there were no antique colonies). The cape juts out into the Sea of Azov and is the natural border of two bays: the Reefs and the Marine Corps. The place is quite picturesque and deserted, perfect for contemplating the sea.
Cape Lantern
The cape is located on the eastern outskirts of Kerch at the entrance to the strait. A very convenient position for the lighthouse, which was installed here for the first time in 1820. The Lantern District is home to gulls, cormorants and water snakes. The Yenikalsky lighthouse, rebuilt after the Second World War in the 1950s, is still active today. Although the tower looks a little dated, it is equipped with modern equipment.
General's beaches
Picturesque bays surrounded by rocks, stretching along the coast of the Azov Sea. They have still preserved their pristine beauty, so tourists come here looking for solitude and tired of the promoted resorts. Behind a wide sandy strip, endless landscapes of the "Pontic" steppe stretch, the coastline is cut by dozens of small bays, there is not even a hint of civilization around - what else is needed for happiness?
Kerch city beach
The main beach of Kerch is the most comfortable swimming place in the city. It is located on Kamysh-Burunskaya spit and has access to the embankment. The main advantages: a shallow bottom, a covering of sand and small shell rock, the presence of changing rooms, gazebos, cafes, sun loungers for rent and a car parking. Vacationers are offered many water attractions and other entertainment.
