Tauric Chersonesos was founded on the western coast of Crimea by the ancient Greeks in 424 BC. The ruins of this ancient city have been preserved to this day in good condition, although during the foundation of Sevastopol they were used as construction materials. Chersonesos has a huge historical, cultural and religious significance for Russia, since Prince Vladimir was baptized here in 987.
History of Chersonesos
Greek colonists actively colonized not only the Mediterranean coast, but also reached the coast of the Crimean Peninsula. The first Greek polis Panticapaeum, on the site of modern Kerch, appeared in the 7th century BC. Chersonesos was founded 200 years later.
Chersonesos is located on the shore of the Quarantine Bay, not far from the center of Sevastopol. The main occupation of the colonists was winemaking and fishing. Among the ruins of Chersonesos, visitors can see many cisterns where fish were salted. The city flourished until the 3rd century BC, until the Scythian raids began. The first damage from these raids had the Kerkenitida polis, which was located 120 kilometers north of Chersonesos, on the site of modern Yevpatoria. At first, the inhabitants defended the cities on their own, but soon they had to turn to the king of Panticapaeus, Eupator IV Mithridates. He sent an army under the command of Diophantus, who defeated the Scythians. However, after that, Chersonesos lost its independence and became part of the Bosporan Kingdom (Panticapaeus).
In the 60s AD, the protectorate of the Bosporan Kingdom was replaced by the protectorate of the Roman Empire, but Chersonesos continued to flourish. It was the largest city in Crimea. The first Christian preachers appeared here in the 1st century. In the 5th century, after the fall of the Roman Empire, Chersonesos became part of the Byzantine Empire. In those years, Christianity had already become the state religion of Byzantium, so from the 6th to the 14th century, more than 60 temples were erected in the city.
The Byzantines called the city Kherson, and the Slavs - Korsun. In 988, relations between Byzantium and Kievan Rus escalated, and Prince Vladimir captured the city. After the conclusion of the peace treaty, he married the daughter of the Byzantine Emperor Basil II, and in the same year he was baptized according to the Orthodox rite. After the fall of Byzantium in 1453, Russia became the center of Orthodoxy, carefully observing all Byzantine church traditions.
In the Middle Ages, Chersonesos was repeatedly subjected to invasions by Tatar and Nogai troops. In the 13th century, it became part of the Genoese colonies on the Black Sea, however, they moved all trade operations to their capital Kafa (modern Feodosia), and the main military base was the Genoese fortress in Sudak. Chersonesos quickly lost its influence, and in 1399, after another raid by Tatar troops, the city was abandoned by the inhabitants.
Excursion of Chersonesos
After entering the territory of the Historical and Archaeological Museum of the Tauride Chersonesos, you can go straight to the St.Vladimir Cathedral and the main buildings of the ancient city, but it is better to turn right towards the Quarantine Bay. Here you will see the oldest ruins on the site of the foundation of the city in the 5th century A.D. There was an ancient port on this site and the outer fortress wall of Chersonesos has been preserved.
On the outskirts of the ancient city, you can see the ruins of the Zeno Tower. It is named after the Byzantine emperor Zeno, who ruled in the 5th century AD. During his reign, the tower was reconstructed. After that, you can return to the Vladimir Cathedral, which is of great importance for the Russian Orthodox Church.
It was founded in 1825 on the site of the ancient basilica, which was located on the Agora, the main trade area of the ancient city. Some historians believe that in this basilica in 988, the Kiev Prince Vladimir was baptized by a Byzantine bishop and then baptized Russia according to the Orthodox rite.
Near the Vladimir Cathedral, the main street begins, which leads to the northern shore of the peninsula. Here you can see the houses of the Chersonese and the layout of the streets during the heyday of the city. Near one of the houses, you can see a small cave cut into the rock. Historians believe that this is one of the very first secret Christian churches of the Roman era, when Christians were still persecuted.
The Uvarov’s Basilica is located near the seashore. This name of the temple was named after Count Uvarov, who conducted here excavations in 1853. The basilica has a very large size for a temple of the early Middle Ages: 50x22 meters. In the center of this basilica there is a Baptistery, where a stone font for ablutions has been preserved. According to one version, the Kiev Prince Vladimir could have been baptized not in the agora, but in this font. An openwork rotunda has been erected above the font.
On the seashore you can see the Chersonese Bell. During the Crimean War of 1853-56, the French took it to France and for several decades it hung on the Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral. In 1913, before the WWI, France and Russia became allies and the French decided to return the bell back to Sevastopol.
To the south of the bell are the ruins of two more Christian basilicas. One of them has preserved marble columns. Another interesting temple is called the Basilica in the Basilica. The large basilica dates back to the 6th century. When it collapsed, it was not restored, and in the center of it in the 10th century another smaller basilica was built.
Near the entrance to the museum are the ancient theater and the city reservoir. The theater was built in the 3rd century BC. In the Roman era, it was rebuilt so that gladiatorial fights could be held here. The theater could accommodate up to 2000 spectators.
