A city of many mysteries, which is only a year younger than ancient Rome, as if saturated with the atmosphere of antiquity. In the 7th century BC, the settlement of Panticapaeum was founded on the Tauride Peninsula, which eventually turned into the main cultural and economic center of Eastern Crimea. The ancient settlement, which became the capital of the Bosporus Kingdom, was famous for its magnificent palaces and wonderful temples.
Panticapaeum, which survived the fall of the state that existed for nine centuries, is the main attraction of modern Crimea. A restored historical site located in Kerch attracts great attention of tourists not only in our country.
The significance of the finds
During excavations of the settlement of the Bosporus kingdom, curious examples of ancient art were discovered. Experts praised the scientific significance of the findings, and the collection takes second place in the world after the rarities stored in Athens by the number of exhibits.
More recently, antique treasures were available only to a small circle of people, and now anyone who goes on an excursion to Lapidarii (Kerch), a museum of stone sculptures, with more than 2,200 exhibits, can admire genuine masterpieces. Here are collected unique monuments, including tombstones, as well as the ruins of buildings that were once a single whole.
The repository, which is part of the historical and cultural reserve of Kerch, is widely known in scientific circles, and many scientists dream of working with the antique collection. Now anyone can touch the found archaeological artifacts, among which there are many artifacts of Islamic, Jewish and Christian origin.
The collection collected through the efforts of archaeologists is of great importance in the study of life, culture, customs, traditions of ancient peoples.
A unique collection of stone masterpieces
Monuments dating back to the 5th century BC are revealed to the visitors of the vault. The constantly replenishing collection, which is famous for Lapidarius (Kerch), causes keen interest of all history connoisseurs.
Here you can admire the monuments made of local limestone and marble imported from distant shores. The unique sculptures of deities and heroes that once stood on the squares of the Bosporus reflect the culture of a non-existent state. The main, most interesting part of the exhibition is represented by tombstones with various images and inscriptions.
Lapidarium (Kerch) is incredibly popular, because it contains all the historical monuments ever found in the city. The richest collection of stone, the best exhibits of which were sent to the bins of the Imperial Hermitage since the 18th century, needs good care and restoration.
Silent guardians of history
A unique museum provides a great opportunity for all tourists to get acquainted with the culture of the Bosporus. Kerch Lapidarium keeps ancient Greek monuments immortalized in stone, giving an idea of the beliefs of the Hellenes.
The unique place is of particular interest to tourists with unique inscriptions on tombstones and epitaphs, among which there are even poems. Museum visitors will fall into the ancient Bosporus, and an interactive assistant will help them with this - a girl in a white tunic. Together with the virtual resident of Panticapaeum, tourists will make an exciting time travel.
The young creature moves from one stone masterpiece to another, simultaneously reviving them with a touch of a rose and starting an informative story about each object from a large collection. About 120 ancient artifacts telling about the culture of the ancient Greeks are available to viewers who got to Lapidarium (Kerch).
Unusual excursion into the world of the dead
Perhaps many visitors to the museum will be surprised by information about an exclusive excursion to the catacombs of Panticapaeum. The city of the dead, where there are 170 crypts, will surprise even the most experienced tourists, because the family tombs of the Bosporians surpass ordinary dwellings in their beauty. The transition of the living to the kingdom of Hades worried every inhabitant of Ancient Greece, and therefore people thoroughly prepared for the afterlife, decorating the afterlife cloisters.
To get into the underworld, tourists need to make a preliminary application for the most unusual excursion, during which the reserve staff will reveal the riddles of the tombs and show family crypts decorated with ornaments.
Lapidarium (Kerch): how to get there?
For those who are going to visit a unique place that once hosted only specialists, you need to know that you can get to the reserve from the bus station by bus number 19. Upon leaving at the final stop, you will see the reserve building, where there is a huge collection of antique masterpieces.
Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Lapidarii (Kerch), whose address is 24/14 R. Luxemburg Street, is waiting for its guests to introduce them to silent witnesses of our history, who keep many secrets.