Crimea is an astounding place, as it has as many attractions as no other place in the world. In the amazing Valley of Ghosts, which itself attracts quite a few tourists, there is another interesting place. On the southern slope of Mount Demerdzhi, which is not far from Alushta and the highway leading to it from Simferopol, there are the remains of a real medieval fortress.
The fortress Funa was erected in 1423 on the western slope of the mountain South Demerdzhi, which at that time was called «Funa», translated as «smoky» — then so called and the nearby village, so was named and built outpost.
Funa, located near the trade route leading from the coast to steppe Crimea, grew and prospered. Theodoro princes attached great importance to it as the main fortification preventing Genoese raids. Then the Theodorites and Genoese waged constant wars for the right to possess the coast. One of the pearls of the fortress ensemble was the Orthodox Church of Theodore Stratilat — the Great Martyr Warrior. The church was two-storied, cylindrical arches and vaults had a keel-shaped and lancet shape, and the window platbands outside were decorated with carved ornaments. Services were held only on the second floor, it is known that the church was erected here in the late XII — early XIII century, and in the XV century, when the current fortress was built on the site of the primary outpost of the late XIV century, it was significantly rebuilt.
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In 1475 the Fun Fortress was destroyed by Turkish conquerors, and after the collapse of stone blocks from Demerdzhi Mountain in 1894 the last locals left this place. But the legend about the buried treasures under the walls of the fortress still lives here. According to this legend, on the territory of the fortress there is a burial place of the Queen of the Goths, where her famous treasure — a magnificent crown — is hidden. So far no one has managed to find this treasure, not even the German troops.
Of the whole fortress ensemble, which in its heyday occupied an area of 0.52 hectares, the church is the best preserved. The apse of the church, where the altar was located, as it was 500 years ago, rises today above the remains of the defensive walls,
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and nearby you can see the collapsed walls that once made up the living quarters. Not far away — 300 meters from the remains of the fortification is the burial place of the inhabitants of the village and the fortress. Looking at the partially preserved fortress walls, you can imagine how people lived here more than five centuries ago: the outlines of the main street and the narrow streets and crooked alleys branching from it are clearly visible. The magnificent model of the fortress, which can be seen at the end of the fortress walls, will also help you get this idea.
An amazing discovery for the whole world was the discovery of a stone slab with the image of five coats of arms at the entrance to the fortress. This slab can still be seen here today: four of the coats of arms belong to the princes of Theodoro, and the fifth — the double-headed eagle — is of unknown origin, it was it that later became the coat of arms of the Russian Empire.
A surviving ancient torture instrument is also of great interest, which is horrifying to all who see it, as it is frightening to imagine how live people were once killed on it.
Walk on the remains of the medieval fortress, which belonged to one of the strongest states of the Crimea XV century — the principality of Theodoro, a unique opportunity for any tourist coming on vacation in the Crimea. Romance and mystery, the prevailing atmosphere and the location of this attraction of Alushta, which has reached us from the depths of centuries, create a unique mood and leave vivid impressions and pleasant memories for everyone who visits here.