Kaffa, Ancient fortress and port in Crimea
Kaffa is a medieval fortress situated along the Black Sea coast, defined by thick stone walls and fourteen defensive towers. Much of the structure remains intact, showing the typical fortification design of its era.
Genoese merchants founded the fortress in the 13th century as their major trading hub, which became the largest slave market in the region until its conquest in 1475. This trading power shaped the site for several centuries.
The fortress displays a blend of Italian, Greek, Armenian, and Tatar building styles that remain visible in its preserved walls and towers. This mix reflects the many peoples who lived and traded here together.
Visitors can explore the fortress on their own or join guided tours that begin at the main gates and follow the preserved fortification walls. The best time to visit is during warmer months when the paths are easy to walk.
The fortress walls bear witness to 1346, when besieging forces first catapulted diseased corpses over the fortifications in a documented act that shocked medieval warfare. This brutal event made the place an early example of strategy beyond conventional combat.
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