Tauric Chersonesos: An Ancient Greek Colony on the Crimean Peninsula

Visitor Information

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Official Website: chersonesos-sev.ru

Country: Ukraine

Civilization: Greek

Site type: City

History

Tauric Chersonesos was established in the 6th century BCE by Greek colonists from Heraclea Pontica. It developed as a prosperous trading city on the southwestern coast of the Crimean Peninsula. Over the centuries, it experienced periods of autonomy and external control, including Roman and later Byzantine influence. The city served as a political and religious center, with evidence of local governance and Christian communities by the early medieval period. It was eventually abandoned in the late Middle Ages, but its ruins remained a testament to its long history.

Remains

The archaeological site of Tauric Chersonesos includes well-preserved city walls, residential quarters, public buildings, and religious structures such as basilicas dating from the Byzantine era. Excavations have uncovered mosaics, inscriptions, and artifacts that reflect the city’s Greek origins and subsequent cultural layers. The site also features a necropolis with tombs spanning several centuries. Today, the remains provide valuable insight into ancient urban planning and the cultural interactions in the Black Sea region.