Bakhchisaray - one of the most beautiful places in Crimea, translated from the Crimean Tatar sounds like a "garden-palace". The place is quite popular among tourists, but most often they come here for a short time to visit local attractions, missing the unique flavor and original atmosphere of the city. In the article, we will consider where Bakhchisaray is located and how to get to this place.
Location
The city is located in the southwestern part of Crimea, 32 kilometers from the city of Sevastopol. GPS coordinates of Bakhchisarai - 44.752902, 33.860658. The atmosphere here is slightly different from other places on the Black Sea coast, literally from the first minutes of your stay you can feel the eastern culture and hospitality of the inhabitants of the town. If relatives live here, then you can contact them by mail using the Bakhchisaray index - 298400.
Despite the fact that the city is not by the sea, but in the mountains, it still attracts tourists from different parts of the world with its architectural and historical monuments and beautiful landscapes.
How to get by car and taxi?
Tourists coming to the Crimea most often prefer traveling by rented car or their own. It is not very comfortable to use public transport, especially since during the holidays you do not want to spend time waiting for the bus and transfer. On the Simferopol - Bakhchisaray highway, the distance to the city in question is 33 km. You can get there by car in 25-30 minutes.
If you still choose the urban mode of transportation, a regular taxi runs in Bakhchisarai. In addition, you can always use the services of local taxi drivers. The average price for 1 km is 25 rubles, subject to prior reservation by an official carrier. At the airport of Simferopol there is a taxi reservation desk with established fares to all nearby cities.
How to get from Simferopol, Yalta, Sevastopol, Evpatoria?
From Simferopol to Bakhchisarai, drive about half an hour by car. From the central station of the city of Simferopol on Kievskaya street, 4 a bus runs to Bakhchisarai. Also, all scheduled transport to Sevastopol makes a stop in Bakhchisarai. On any intercity bus in Crimea you can go from the bus station "Western".
Every 2-3 hours an electric train leaves from Simferopol to Sevastopol, it makes a stop in Bakhchisarai. Travel time is approximately 40 minutes.
On the route the bus Yalta - Bakhchisaray. Depending on the chosen route, he makes a stop in Alushta or Foros. Travel time is about three hours.
From Sevastopol it is best to get by train, next to Simferopol. You can also take the intercity bus Bakhchisaray - Sevastopol, or by passing by regular transport that makes a stop in Bakhchisarai.
A bus runs from Evpatoria twice a day. Travel time is 3-3.5 hours. Departure at 9.35 in the morning and 15.40 in the afternoon.
Description of the city and infrastructure
Locals divide the city into two parts. One of them is called the new, and the other the old city.
In the Old Town is the vast majority of architectural monuments, palaces, caves, dolmens, interesting finds of archaeologists. This is where tourists who visit Bakhchisarai seek.
In the New City, more modern buildings, hotels, entertainment centers, public organizations were built. Here are multi-storey buildings and the private sector. The population of the city is just over 27 thousand inhabitants.
The city of Bakhchisaray is part of the Bakhchisarai district. Besides him, 70 villages and 3 urban-type villages are included here . Despite the developed infrastructure, the city has little work, many residents prefer to work in Simferopol and Sevastopol. In Bakhchisarai excellent transport links, trains and buses go to any city in Crimea.
Among the large enterprises there is a cement plant, which provides jobs for thousands of people, a wine and brandy factory, an enterprise for the production of bakery products.
History
Many hundreds of years ago, Neanderthals lived here. On the territory of the old city to this day you can see ancient ceramics and the tomb of the Tauris. In the 1st century, the Romans settled here. The evidence is the fortresses discovered during excavations, military fortifications and jewelry.
A small area on the outskirts, called by the locals the “Cave City”, has preserved large structures that served as ancient houses and castles. You can get to Crimea from Bakhchisaray to Chufut-Kale on the road in the direction of. Staroselye past the Assumption Cave Monastery.
Bakhchisaray received its current name in the XVI century by Khan Mengli Giray. At the same time, the Khan Saray Palace was built - one of the most visited places in the city. In the XVII century, the place became one of the largest shopping centers, merchants from all over the world come here. This time is considered golden for Bakhchisarai. At the beginning of the XVIII century, the Russian army plundered the city, seeking to weaken the influence of the Tatar people.
During the Crimean War, the wounded were brought here, weapons were stored here. In the 30s of the last century, the city again began to actively develop. Enterprises are opening, great attention is paid to gardening.
Khan's Palace
This is the only object of the Crimean Tatar historical architecture that has survived to this day in the Bakhchisarai region. It is located at a distance of half (30 km) from Simferopol to Inkerman.
On the territory of the palace there is a historical museum, which presents the most valuable exhibits, reflecting the life and culture of that time. The palace was built for representatives of the Geraev clan. From the beginning of the 16th to the end of the 18th century, this clan stood at the head of the Crimean state. For more than two and a half centuries, state issues of different directions have been resolved here.
When the city was captured by the troops of Minich, the palace was badly damaged by fire and was restored during the reign of Selamet Gere. In 1741, the Biyuk Khan Jami Mosque was built on the territory.
During the reign of the Russian Empire with the advent of the new ruler, the decoration of the palace changed. And today you can see some of the things of Catherine II, exhibited in the museum.
The entire palace composition is made in the traditional architectural style of the 16th-17th centuries by the Ottomans. The palace complex consists of two mosques, a mufti house, farm buildings, fountains, towers, a cemetery with a tomb. Previously, the Khan's Palace with all the adjoining territories occupied 18 hectares, nowadays - a little more than 4 hectares.
Fountain of tears
From Simferopol to Bakhchisarai can be reached by bus, train or taxi. To see the fountain, you need to transfer to public transport or get to the navigator by setting the address of ul. River, d.133.
The architect who worked on the fountain was the famous architect of his time, Iranian Omer. The fountain was conceived as a reminder of the sorrow of the Khan of Crimea-Girey about his beloved concubine. She was a girl from Poland, a person of noble descent, Maria Pototskaya, named in the harem Dilyar Bikech. She was killed by an envious person.
The marble slab reflects the emotional pain of loss, the water slowly flowing down the stone - mean men's tears. The snail carved on the construction is Khan’s doubts about whether to live without a beloved among friends, enemies and ill-wishers.
Assumption Monastery
The Assumption Monastery is another attraction of Bakhchisarai that must be visited. How to get to Bakhchisarai, we examined earlier. To visit the monastery, you need to take bus number 2 from Bakhchisaray to Staroselye, then walk about 500 meters. By car, it is allowed to stop on.
The legend of its creation is very interesting. Once a shepherd grazing sheep saw an icon of the Mother of God on a rock, and a burning candle nearby. He took it and brought it to his master, but the next day she disappeared and was in the same place. The story was repeated many times until the inhabitants realized that it wants to be at the place where it appeared, and built a temple there.
Over time, its territory expanded, in the war years the hospital was located in the church building, since 1993 it was again open to parishioners from all over the world. Near the temple there is a cemetery where church servants and soldiers have been buried since the war.
Vacation with children
Tourists with children are strongly advised to explore in advance where Bakhchisaray is located. Since moving the "savage" with the child is difficult. There are a lot of interesting things for children in the city.
It is worth visiting the miniature park. It was opened in 2013, in a short time thousands of local residents and visitors of the city became its visitors. Here are reduced copies of the Crimean airport, Vorontsov Palace, Villa "Ksenia" and other exhibits.
Another part of the park is reserved for cartoon themes. Here you can see many favorite characters of domestic and foreign cartoons, jump on a trampoline and eat cotton candy.
Children will also be interested in visiting a puppet or musical theater. Take a stroll through the historical and cultural reserve of Bakhchisarai and learn a lot of cognitive information. For a family picnic or spending the night in tents, it is recommended to go to the lake Shirokiy Yar, 4 km from the city. Here you can take a swim, go fishing, grill kebabs and have fun.
Leisure
Thrill-seekers will also not be bored in Bakhchisarai. Where are the places for such a rest, consider below.
Some types of outdoor activities:
- ATV riding. ATV rental is organized in the village of Kuibyshevo, Bakhchisarai district. You can ride on the mountain trails and admire the local beauties.
- Flying on a paralet. This type of outdoor activity is presented in the village of Verkhorechye. The flight can be arranged for 10, 30 minutes or an hour, accompanied by a professional instructor.
- Horse ride. For people who feel confident in the saddle, a horse ride to Syuryen fortress can be arranged.
- Rock climbing. The mountainous region of Bakhchisaray and its environs suggests the presence of mountain trails for climbers and climbers. Here a group of people from amateurs to professionals is gathered and sent to certain mountainous areas to conquer the high peaks.
Hotels
Upon arrival at the bus station, especially during the holiday season, you can see many ads or people with signs offering to rent a house, room or apartment for rent or for a month or more. This option is considered the most budgetary for students and large companies. The cost of a room from individuals is about 500 rubles per day.
You can also stay in one of the many mini-hotels. Here the price is higher - from 1,000 to 2,000 rubles. Popular tourists consider: “On Oktyabrskaya”, “Mariampol”, “Coral”, “Paradise Park”.
In order to feel the special atmosphere of these places, it is better to stay in a guest house decorated in the typical Tatar style of “Bakhitgul”. The guests are noted by the friendly staff, clean area, beautiful view from the window. Room rates start at 1,600 rubles per day.
Tourists who value outdoor recreation are recommended to settle in one of the camp sites. Each of them is in a quiet, beautiful place away from the hustle and bustle. In addition, here you can retire or, on the contrary, meet like-minded people and have fun on vacation. Popular holiday destinations:
- "At the mountain river" - from 2,000 rubles per day.
- "Kermenchik" - from 2,500 rubles per day.
- Belbek - from 3 000 rubles per day.
- "Alimova beam" - from 1 800 rubles per day.
- "Eco Camp" - from 3 000 rubles per day.
We examined where Bakhchisaray is located and how to get to this wonderful city. Rest here will be interesting and memorable not only for adults, but also for the younger generation.