Mount Mithridates
Mount Mithridates rises in the center of Kerch and is one of the most recognizable Crimean peaks. The amazing mountain, whose “height” is 91.4 meters, belongs to the Crimean or Tauride Mountains, occupying the southern and southeastern part of the peninsula. Mithridat, if you compare it with other mountains of the Crimea, is not the highest. Roman-Kosh, Uchurum-Kaya, Boinus-Tepe, Zeitin-Kosh and many others are much higher, reaching one and a half kilometers above sea level. However, our beauty, long noticed by tourists, takes a special place among them. Many specially come to Kerch just to admire this peak and climb it.
Video: Mount Mithridates
ContentsHighlights
Climbing Mount Mithridates has become a good tradition over time, not only for travelers, but also for locals. The observation deck of Mount Mithridates is something special and unique. It opens a magnificent panorama of the city, and it is from it that the whole Kerch Bay is covered with a glance. Such a magnificent picture can not be seen from any other point, so every year more and more tourists rush here.
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And also, and this can not fail to mention, with Mount Mithridates is associated with a rich history of these lands. The summit keeps a lot of unsolved mysteries, and if its slopes could talk, historians, archaeologists and representatives of other professions studying the heritage of the past, would learn a lot of interesting things. However, the veil over some of the mysteries has already been lifted. Today, every tourist, stepping foot on these places, can be sure that he is walking in the footsteps of the ancient Greeks and their gods, and there is no exaggeration in this statement.
.History of Mount Mithridates
You have probably heard of such an ancient Greek city as Panticapaeum. It was this settlement that was founded in the seventh century BC on Mount Mithridates. The modern Kerch Strait also had a Greek name in those distant times: it was called Bosporus Cimmerianus.
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At the highest point of the mountain, the Hellenes built the Acropolis, enclosing it with powerful crenellated walls with observation towers. Here, in the so-called Upper City, were also erected picturesque temples dedicated to the ancient gods. The antique architectural ensemble was complemented by majestic palaces where the local nobility settled.
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According to ancient legend, in the dungeons of the mountain castle hidden numerous jewels of Mithridates VI Eupator. He, also known by his nickname Dionysus, ruled in 120-63 BC in the Kingdom of Pontus. As you have already guessed, the highest point of Kerch – Mount Mithridates – was named in honor of this ruler. From Greek, his name is translated as “gift of Mithras”, which corresponds to the status of the Persian god of the Sun. By the way, near its foot was discovered mineral, which was named mithridatite.
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Historians to this day puzzle over the exact place where the king of Pontus hid his riches, without giving up hope of finding them someday. The treasure, which may not actually exist, has not yet been found. However, at the foot of Mount Mithridates, researchers have discovered many real historical artifacts, most of which are now stored in the State Hermitage Museum.
.The great Russian poet Alexander Sergeyevich Pushkin, who was a guest in Kerch in 1820, climbed the mountain with the dream of discovering on its summit at least something that would remind of the times of ancient Panticapaeum. But since Pushkin was not an archaeologist, he could only search on the surface, so he had no luck. Traces of an ancient settlement were discovered in these places a little later.
.In the spring of 1944, when the Red Army step by step continued to liberate the native land from the Nazi invaders, our soldiers stepped on Crimean soil and spread the red flag on Mount Mithridates. A few days later, namely on April 11, Kerch was liberated from the occupiers.
.Sights
The pioneer among all the sights of this place can be called the Grand Mithridates Staircase. It was built by the Italian-born architect Alexander Digbiona in 1833-1840. Despite the rather solid age, this lifting device today has not lost its tourist appeal. And all thanks to the fact that the architect was able to harmoniously fit his brainchild into the existing natural and urban landscape.
.The staircase on Mount Mithridates counts either 423 or 436 steps – the data vary. There will be a desire – count them yourself. Although the number of steps has no meaning, especially symbolic. Earlier they were even less, about 300. The rest were completed in the course of restoration.
The staircase decorated with balustrades and vases is equipped with several terraces that act as observation platforms. Their presence makes it easier for travelers to ascend, and at the same time they get the opportunity to enjoy the opening views of the city gradually.
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An unpleasant historical fact: during the Crimean War of 1853-1856, the Grand Staircase of Mithridates was seriously damaged, including the sculptures decorating it. In the second half of the XX century, sculptor Roman Serdyuk was able to create copies that are virtually indistinguishable from the originals. The fact that the duplicates are of high quality and very close to the original sculptures is confirmed by historians. On the first terrace sit two griffins – symbols of Kerch, something intently looking out to sea. These winged lions with eagle heads are called “residents” of the stairs, guarding the peace of the entire city.
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As we have already said, on April 11, 1944, a heroic battle took place on Mount Mithridates, as a result of which the German occupiers were expelled from Kerch. This date and today is celebrated as the Day of Liberation of the city. In memory of this significant event and in honor of the soldiers who died in battle, the Obelisk of Glory was erected. It is installed on top of Mount Mithridates and became the first monument on the territory of the former USSR, dedicated to the events of the bloodiest war of the last century.
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The monument was designed by the famous architect Alexei Dmitrievich Kiselev, who used stone from the Trinity Cathedral, the city’s main temple at the time, as a building material. The obelisk itself is a stele with a large memorial book, made of marble, and three cannons on a pedestal. This whole ensemble is located on the top of Mithridates, in the center of a pentagonal square laid out with tiles. A marble balustrade is set along the perimeter of the square. On it in gold letters carved the names of all the cities of the former Soviet Union, which received the title “Hero-City.”
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Now let’s return to the ancient city of Panticapaeum, the ruins of which are preserved on the eastern and northeastern slopes of Mount Mithridates. Perhaps you did not know, but this settlement was once the capital of the Bosporan Kingdom. From the ancient Iranian language Panticapaeum is translated as “fish way”. The ancient Greek version of the translation is also preserved: “the gate of the sea”. Be that as it may, these names eloquently testify that the life of both ancient Panticapaeum and modern Kerch is closely connected with the sea.
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This Greek polis was founded at the end of the seventh century BC, it developed rapidly and eventually became one of the most prosperous settlements in the Black Sea region. The acropolis was located in the same place where the Obelisk of Glory is located. The urban development of Panticapaeum was located at the foot, its ruins have survived to this day.
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Despite the fact that the architectural material is not so much – the city was preserved mostly at the level of the foundation – to imagine the splendor of ancient buildings is quite possible. The capital of the Bosporus was a walled settlement with narrow streets, on both sides of which were built small stone dwellings. In some of them there were stone-carved arched openings and steps.
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Outside ancient Panticapaeum leads a small path, walking on which you can descend from Mount Mithridates. Just be careful, as the paths in some places run through private homes, so do not be surprised if you suddenly find yourself in someone’s backyard or you will be barked at by dogs, which, God forbid, will be at that moment on a chain.
.How to get there
You can get to Mount Mithridates by public transportation. To do this, just get on any shuttle bus going through the center of Kerch and get off at the stop “Lenin Square.”
Right behind the stop you will see the Church of St. John the Baptist, which belongs to the oldest Orthodox buildings in Russia (it dates back to the 6th-10th centuries AD).
.From the temple go to Dmitrova Lane and walk along it in the direction of Lenin Square. On the left side before you will open a marvelous view of Mount Mithridates.
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To get to the sightseeing can also be on foot, moving from the bus station. Time it will take no more than half an hour. First you will walk along a small rivulet Melek Cesme, and then along Kirov Street, moving along the sea.
