The mysterious Tepe-Kermen Cave City is one of the main mysteries of Crimea. The flow of those who want to see with their own eyes the remains of the ancient city on top of the high mountain does not dry up for many years. Many tourists are sure to go on a fascinating journey to the fortress on the mountain. And it is not surprising — the mysterious settlement, which was about seven hundred years ago one of the most populated cave cities in Tavria, has been keeping silence for seven centuries about how its life was abruptly and unexpectedly interrupted.
Tepe-Kermen is one of the most famous cave towns in Crimea. It is located on the mountain of the same name, rising almost 300 meters above the valley of the Kachi River, 7 km southeast of Bakhchisarai. Standing only at the foot of the peak, you can appreciate the unusualness of the archaeological monument located on it. The rock massif in its shape resembles a pyramid, similar to the Mayan pyramids. And, as we know, the symbolism of this figure has a deep spiritual meaning, such as «establishing contact with other worlds». There is a feeling as if a massive structure of the right shape was erected on the mountain by people, but it is a fruit of creation of Mother Nature herself, and people gave them nature only finalized, adjusting for their needs.
The history of Tepe-Kermen, the name of which is translated from Turkic languages as «fortress on the hill», begins in V-VI centuries. The emergence of the fortification on the mountain is associated with the period when other similar settlements began to appear, which the inhabitants of the surrounding areas cut down in the rocks to have a place where you can hide from any dangers. However, some historians believe that Tepe-Kermen and other cave cities of Crimea appeared under the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I, who ordered to strengthen the distant approaches to Chersonesos.
Tepe-Kermen experienced a period of prosperity in the XI-XII centuries. It was then that the city was actively built up, and the economic and defense premises were supplemented by residential buildings, the foundations of which have survived to this day. Until the end of the XIII century this city was considered one of the most densely populated cave towns, and then at the end of the century the situation changed dramatically. Many historians attribute the city’s demise to the invasion of Nogai Khan in 1299. In their opinion, the Tatars slaughtered the entire urban population, which led to the death of the flourishing early medieval city. Perhaps, if the fate of Tepe-Kermen had turned out differently, today there would be a modern city not far from the ancient settlement.
On the other hand, looking from the top of Tepe-Kermen at the panorama of the surrounding mountains and valley, it is impossible not to rejoice that everything here has remained as it was hundreds of years ago. A visit to the ancient settlement is an opportunity to see with your own eyes natural pictures of unique beauty, and how many incredible impressions a walk around Tepe-Kermen leaves!
This city surprises. On the territory of a little more than 1 hectare in 6 tiers are located about 250 caves from 1.3 to 5 meters high, oval, rectangular, square shape, in several tiers, with several rooms. You can wander around the caves that used to be household, residential and temple premises for a long time, and it is unlikely that you will be able to get around the whole town. All guests of Tepe-Kermen are recommended to visit the temple of XI century, which has no analogues among the rock sacral constructions of Crimea — 
The temple with baptistery in the western part at the top of the settlement. It is unique by its uncharacteristic for that time architectural forms (the nave is located transversely, the altar is moved inside, there is a baptistery). It is by no means the only, but the most impressive temple of the ancient city.
And at the end of the tour of Tepe-Kermen it is definitely worth climbing to the top of the mountain to see another of its mysterious attractions — a lonely standing on the very edge of a 12-meter cliff huge stone, which was once part of the building that stood here. One of the legends of Tepe-Kermen says that the last owner of the town, who did not want to part with it, moved his soul into this stone. After wandering through numerous caves, so skillfully carved in the thickness of the stone, you begin to believe that once there was a real magic that helped people to create such a fantastic place, which attracts thousands of tourists every year, coming to holiday in Crimea or to Bakhchisarai.