Mangup Kale Complex Natural Monument

Mangup Kale Complex is a limestone plateau sitting about 600 meters above sea level, surrounded by steep cliffs that rise 30 to 70 meters high along its edges. The formation covers a substantial area and creates a striking natural fortress with intricate rock shapes and layered stone walls.

The settlement began at the end of the third century and later grew into a Byzantine fortress during Emperor Justinian I's time, with people living here until the sixteenth century. This growth from a small community to a fortified city shows how the location remained important through different periods and rulers.

The complex contains around 27 Christian structures carved into rock, including places of worship, burial grounds, and monastic spaces that served the faithful for centuries. The Great Basilica stands as the spiritual heart of this settlement and reveals the religious importance the site held for its inhabitants.

You can reach the plateau by following a single road or several paths that wind through the gorges from the Karalezka valley below. Wear sturdy shoes since the terrain varies and some sections can be uneven or steep in places.

Natural water streams flow from the upper sections of the rock formation, and these springs sustained the ancient community for centuries without needing external water sources. This self-sufficient water supply was one of the key reasons people could settle and thrive in such a remote location.

Location: Autonomous Republic of Crimea

Inception: October 14, 1975

GPS coordinates: 44.58472,33.80000

Latest update: December 12, 2025 14:21