Nymphaion

Nymphaion is an ancient Greek settlement on the Kerch Strait coast with temple remains, residential buildings, and defensive walls scattered across a hillside. The excavations have revealed workshops, storage structures, and religious buildings that document daily life in this trading port.

The settlement was founded around 560 BCE and grew into a major port for grain trade, changing hands between different powers over time. It later served as a stronghold under local rulers before being abandoned as regional power shifted.

The excavated structures show how Greek settlers built homes using local materials while blending their construction methods with regional practices that shaped daily life.

The site sits on a hillside with walking paths connecting different excavation areas, best visited during warmer months when access is easiest. Information boards help guide visitors, though learning some background before arrival helps make sense of the layout and structures.

Remains of ancient workshops have been found where wine was produced as early as the 6th century BCE, before this craft spread more widely in the region. These discoveries show that making goods for trade and export was already central to the economy from an early period.

Location: Autonomous Republic of Crimea

Location: Republic of Crimea

Inception: 560 BCE

GPS coordinates: 45.23660,36.41750

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:44