Khan's palace in Bakhchisarai (Crimea): description, history and location

The Khan's Palace in Bakhchisarai is rightfully considered one of the most significant historical and cultural sites of Crimea. The complex of magnificent buildings allows guests of the republic to lift the veil of secrecy over the history and traditions of the Crimean Tatar Khanate.

In fact, the palace itself is the first building with which Bakhchisaray began. And in the future, when the rulers changed, the beauty of its territory only increased, more and more objects appeared that made up the glory of the Herai dynasty. The architectural traditions of the Arab East here are closely intertwined with the Constantinople motifs that appeared in the palace in later years. Of course, not all magnificent buildings located outside its walls have survived to our days.

Consider what the description of the attraction is silent about, and what objects on its territory deserve special attention.

The history of the Bakhchisaray Palace in Crimea is interesting. For many years, the dynasty of Crimean Tatar khans was content with a residence in the small valley of Ashlam-Dere, but over time this place ceased to correspond to the ambitions of the rulers. For the construction of a new capital, free territories were selected located on the Churuk-Su river, on its left bank. By order of Khan Sahib I Gerai, the construction of a palace was begun here, embodying the idea of ​​a garden in paradise, created on the land of Crimea.

The residence began its existence in the XIV century.Moreover, its oldest building, the portal Demir-Kapa, ​​was not erected on the spot - it was brought here and installed. The Bakhchisarai residence received its own architectural objects only in 1532. It was at this time that the baths of Sary-Guzel and the sacred relic, the Great Mosque, were attributed.

Subsequently, Bakhchisaray was built around the palace territory - a picturesque city famous for its green streets and picturesque landscapes. And on the square outside the walls of the palace, new architectural masterpieces were erected. So, here aroseYurbe - Khan's tombsin which the rulers of the Herai dynasty found repose. There were meeting rooms and rooms reserved for hosting important guests. The adjacent territory was built up and ennobled.

Deserve special attention fountains for the construction of which the Crimean khans did not spare money. The first of them - Golden - appeared thanks to Kaplan I Gerai. The second - at sunset, the dynasty reigned Fountain of tears, according to legend, it was erected by Kyrym Geray in memory of the death of his beloved concubine in the harem. The mourning spouse built a mournful composition, and today "crying" about his loss.

The Russian-Turkish war, in which representatives of the Crimean Tatars fought on the side of the Ottoman Empire against the Russian Empire, led to the fact that in 1736 Bakhchisaray passed to the new owners. By order of the commander of the troops of Minich, the palace and the city itself were burned. The description of that time, compiled by the military, according to which restoration work was subsequently carried out, has been preserved.

Blazing fire failed to harm capital stone buildings — among the surviving objects of the XIV century was the Portal of Aleviz, the Hall of the Council and the Court, both palace mosques. Subsequently, Bakhchisaray again passed into the possession of the ruling Crimean Tatar dynasty. Several generations of khans have been restoring their former splendor.

However, the new palace interiors were even more impressive in their design and execution. In many respects the reason was the materials and workers sent from Constantinople to help the Crimean Tatar dynasty. They tried to repeat the architecture and interiors of the main residence of the Ottoman Khanate, reducing its size.

Since April 19, 1783, during the reign of Catherine II and by her highest decree, Crimea became part of the Russian Empire. The Bakhchisaray Palace was included in the list of objects of cultural heritage and came under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of the Interior.

In the future, the decoration of its interiors kept changing. So, to the visit of the empress in 1787, a large-scale reconstruction was carried out, during which some of the authentic interiors were replaced by more familiar to Europeans.

It is worth noting that It is to the period of this “repair” that the most serious work carried out in the adjacent territory can be attributed. Originally located near the tomb of Dilara Bikeci, the Fountain of Tears was moved to an educated fountain courtyard, where it can be seen today. In addition, a memorial sign called the Catherine Mile was installed at the bridge over the local river.

Entering the Russian Empire did not bring special preferences to the Bakhchisarai Palace. Already by 1820 there were serious signs of decline and desolation.Alexander Sergeyevich Pushkin was also dissatisfied with his visit here, in letters to friends he mentioned the inconsistency of his expectations and the real state of the khan's residence. Shortly before this, in order to hide the real state of affairs, before the visit of Emperor Alexander I, the buildings of the harem, already dilapidated and dilapidated, were wiped off the face of the earth.

Subsequent repairs only worsened the situation. The non-commissioned officer in charge of the artistic part of the work simply painted over the magnificent painting of Omer, made in the original version of the wall decoration. And also the buildings of the Winter Palace, baths and many other buildings were destroyed.

The Bakhchisaray Palace was in rather poor condition until 1908, when a museum was established here. Further, the building has repeatedly changed its status. Until 1955, there was a museum of Crimean Tatar history and culture. In 1930, another restoration attempt was made, finally modifying the historical appearance of the object of architectural heritage.

But after the formation of the Bakhchisaray Historical and Archaeological Museum in 1955, everything changed. The three-year restoration from 1961 to 1964, taking place with the participation of true professionals - representatives of the Gosstroy, made it possible to almost completely reveal to the world the pristine splendor of the Khan's palace. Removing numerous layers of paint made it possible to open the original design of the Demir-Kapa portal. Murals were recreated in the Grand Mosque, the Summer Arbor, and ceiling frescoes in the Sofa Hall.

Since 1979, the museum has a historical and architectural status. Today it is part of a historical and cultural reserve. On the territory of the palace there is a functioning mosque, permanent exhibitions are open.

The museum, into which the premises of the Bakhchisaray Palace have been converted today, is a complex of buildings with the surrounding territory. According to current information, the area occupied by the palace is 4.3 hectares, while at its heyday it was located on 17 hectares. The complex of preserved objects includes:

• gates on the south and north side;
• Sweet Corps;
• Catherine’s mile - a milestone on the bridge over Churuk-Su;
• burials of khans from the family of Geraev and their wives;
• the square in front of the palace;
• bath complex;
• embankment and three bridges on it;
• park and garden;
• the main building of the palace;
• large and small khan's mosques and many other buildings.

The ongoing restoration allows us to hope that the splendor of the Bakhchisarai Palace can be preserved for posterity. This masterpiece of architecture demonstrates the best traditions of the Ottoman Empire of the XV-XVII centuries. Muslim traditions are closely intertwined with the national Crimean Tatar flavor, but typical Arabic motifs are also visible. So, openwork lattices on windows, tower spiers directed upwards, a small number of storeys of buildings make it possible to talk about the object's belonging to this architectural current.

Outwardly, the Bakhchisaray Palace really looks like a part of an exquisite oriental tale. Delicate white and pink pastel shades in the wall decoration give it a special splendor. In the rays of the setting sun, he is transformed, like the legendary Taj Mahal. The main square, once having a sand cover, and today paved with cobblestone, deserves no less attention. The bath complex is built of stone with a yellowish tint, the interior decoration is also created from natural minerals, but more noble breeds.

There is a legend that in the vicinity of the Bakhchisarai Palace treasures were hidden that belonged to the last of the Herai dynasty - Shagin Khan. The treasure that has not been found still attracts the attention of archaeologists and adventurers. But so far, all efforts have not been successful. Perhaps the reason is that the Khan's treasury could well have been transported to Kafu, where the former ruler of Bakhchisarai fled.

The Khan’s palace in Crimea today amazes tourists with its splendor. Inside the building there are exhibits dedicated to the daily life of the rulers of the Herai dynasty. There is also a rich collection of small arms and cold steel, carefully preserved by the museum complex. But the greatest value, of course, is the objects themselves, located on the territory of the Bakhchisarai Palace.

From the North Gate - the main preserved entrance - visitors find themselves in the expanses of the Palace Square, which is surrounded by the Svitsky buildings. They were intended for the residence of the retinue and the protection of the Khan's palace. A watchtower decorated with stained glass is also made in the same style. There are no guided tours inside, but you can also admire this building from the outside.

To get an audience with the khan, visitors had to pass the gates of Palace Square and stop to wait in the Embassy courtyard. Here is a magnificent garden where you can see thickets of boxwood and poplar, keeping the memory of the past residence. There are also two fountains, a true decoration of the palace grounds. The south side of the palace from the side of the Ambassadorial courtyard was the front door, and from the north there were private chambers.

Considered the most ancient object of the palace, the "iron door" (this is how the name of the portal Demir-Kapa is translated) is a portal entrance to the palace. The portal, installed between the Embassy courtyard and the fountain courtyard, looks very impressive. A massive door with iron upholstery is surrounded by original Italian-style trim.

The magnificent small mosque in the Bakhchisarai Palace was erected directly for the personal needs of the family of the Crimean Tatar rulers. It is housed in inner chambers and dates from the 16th century. But the magnificent murals on the surface of the walls appeared here one and a half to two centuries later. Animalistic and floral motifs carefully restored after restoration were used in the painting.

The southern wall of the mosque is decorated with a mihrab, complemented by an original decoration that recreates the symbolic appearance of the seven heavens. The surviving stained glass window bears the imprint of the seal of Suleiman. And the surface of other walls contains traces of drawings scratched by its visitors. The dome of the mosque has a sailing structure, covered with original paintings.

Fountain courtyard - a place where visitors were allowed admitted beyond the threshold of the main entrance to the Khan's residence. Passing the portal of Demir-Kapa, ​​it is worth exploring the inside of the courtyard. Here is a fountain called the Mag-Tooth (Golden). It got its name thanks to the gilding covering its ornaments. The marble bowl is located at the entrance to the mosque and is intended for the washing rites traditionally performed by Muslims at the entrance to the shrine.

It’s worth saying right away that it is not worth waiting from the palace fountains for the usual riot of a flowing stream of water. In Arab countries, they are especially sensitive to water consumption and are ready to admire it even in the form of thin streams running down the surface of natural stone. It is these fountain options that are located on the territory of the Bakhchisarai Palace.

Not without beautiful legends. So, the Fountain of Tears arose in memory of the wife of Khan Kyrym Geray, named Dilyara, who did not reconcile with her status as a captive in the khan’s camp. Her sudden death plunged her husband, who owned a vast harem, into gloom and depression. To perpetuate his grief, near her tomb, he ordered the creation of a unique fountain.

The prototype of the Fountain of Tears is the village of Sebil - a paradise source mentioned in the Surah of the Koran, carved on the lower part of the fountain 76. The upper portal is crowned with a poem dedicated to Khan Geray himself. According to legend, it is from such a spring that the souls of righteous people who defended their faith will drink. The village fountain type was quite popular in the Arab countries.

The buildings of the Khan's harem during the reign of the Herai dynasty occupied 4 buildings and consisted of chambers of 73 luxuriously decorated rooms. Unfortunately, most of the objects were demolished in the XIX century due to disrepair. Today, only the outbuilding of three rooms and a gazebo are available for inspection. Here the interiors of the living, pantry, living room are preserved and restored.

A high 8-meter-high fence was erected around the building, but the khan’s wives could still glance beyond their chambers from the Falcon Tower, a special observation room installed in the Persian Garden.

Today, the observation deck of Togan Kulesi is also open to the public. Once this object was erected for the maintenance of hunting birds. Today its inner space is empty, but you can climb up a steep spiral staircase and immerse yourself in the peaceful contemplation of the surrounding beauties. From the observation deck, the city is clearly visible, as well as the palace square and the walking courtyard, called Persian (a special gate was made here from the harem).

The magnificent courtyard of the Khan's palace is crowned with a magnificent Summer arbor. Initially, it was completely open and had a one-story structure. The object acquired its modern appearance in the first half of the 19th century. Boardwalks and multi-colored stained-glass windows appeared here. On the ground floor there is a marble pool with a carved fountain. The superstructure of the second floor was turned into a Golden office.

The design of the new premises was carried out by the architect Omer. His hands created a panoramic stained-glass window glazing, alabaster stucco molding, a fireplace portal. Today, the decoration of the Golden Cabinet is carefully preserved and available for inspection.

The room where the khan council met - the Hall of the Sofa - refers to the front part of the palace. When recovering from a fire, only part of its former splendor was preserved. Here is the Khan's throne, fragments of stained glass windows, but the paintings on the walls date back to the XIX century.

The Khan's palace located in Bakhchisarai is located just 30 km from the capital of Crimea and occupies about 4 hectares of land in the valley of the Churuk-Su river. Geographically, this area belongs to the Old Town, and to get here, you must first get to the bus station or railway station. From here, shuttle bus No. 2 is quite easy to get to the Palace-Museum stop.

By car or on foot you will have to go to the address st. River, 133 - it is he who corresponds to the data of the museum complex. You can focus on the nearby highway - Lenin Street. Moving along it, you can easily find the main city attraction.

All about the Khan Palace in Bakhchisarai see in the next video.