Mount Mithridat, Ancient hilltop monument in Kerch, Crimea.
Mount Mithridat rises 91 meters above Kerch, displaying limestone rock formations that have weathered millennia of exposure. From the summit you can see across the Kerch Strait toward the Caucasus and down to the ancient city below.
The mountain takes its name from King Mithridates VI of Pontus, who ruled from his capital in the city below during the 1st century BC. Greeks established major structures here before other peoples arrived and left their marks.
The Great Mithridates Staircase connects the city below with the summit, serving as a symbol of how locals and visitors bridge ancient and modern times. People walk these steps as part of their connection to Kerch's layered past.
You can reach the summit via a stone staircase or a paved road depending on your preferred route and fitness level. Plan time to spend at the top enjoying the views before heading back down.
Excavations have uncovered foundations of Greek temples and residential structures from the Kingdom of Pontus beneath the surface. These layers tell the story of multiple ancient civilizations that once inhabited this location.
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