Assumption: the remains of the Persian palace in Bakhchisarai could have been a harem of the Crimean khans

By CrimeaNEWS On Июн 4, 2024

CrimeaPRESS reports:

The remains of a Persian palace discovered during excavations on the territory of the Khan’s Palace in Bakhchisarai could be one of the previously lost harem buildings, reported TASS Head of the Department of History of the Crimean State Engineering and Pedagogical University Emil Seidaliev:

We assume that perhaps it was one of the harem buildings. The “Persian” building most likely received its name in accordance with the palace construction order of that time, possibly due to some external distinctive features that have not reached us. Presumably the building dates back to the 17th-18th centuries.

According to the expert, topographic survey and comparison with ancient descriptions and plans will be used for identification. The archaeologist noted that a lot of artifacts have been collected on the territory of the Khan’s Palace, which will significantly replenish the funds of the Bakhchisarai Historical, Cultural and Archaeological Museum-Reserve, which includes the palace.

There are thousands of collectible items and up to tens of thousands of field materials. I even think that based on the results of the excavations it will be possible to organize a separate exhibition dedicated to them, — said Seydaliev.

The head of the Museum of History and Culture of the Crimean Tatars, Meryem Seytumerova, said that on the territory of the Khan’s Palace there were previously four harem buildings, of which one has survived to this day, and out of 73 rooms — only three.

By the way, the Crimean khans, as a rule, had no more than four wives, and sometimes less, despite popular beliefSeytumerova said.

Earlier in March, Minister of Culture of the Republic of Crimea Tatyana Manezhina reported journalists that archaeologists discovered elements of a supposedly Persian palace during restoration at the sites of the Khan’s Palace in Bakhchisarai.

Garden City

On the territory of the palace there were many baths with large pools, fountains, gardens and flowers. That is why it was called Bakhchisarai, which translates as palace in the garden. Thanks to this name, the entire capital of the Crimean Khanate began to be called Bakhchisarai.

Restoration work in the Khan’s Palace, the only surviving example of Crimean Tatar architecture of the 16th-18th centuries, began in 2020. Renovations have been completed on six of the 16 objects in the palace complex. The total amount of funding allocated for restoration is 3.593 billion rubles. Currently, the construction readiness of the facility is 72%.

The palace complex was built in the 16th century; its area previously exceeded 14 hectares, not counting parks; now it is about 4 hectares. The complex was subjected to looting and destruction. The winter palace, five marble baths, and palace utensils have not been preserved. Among the most famous objects of the Khan’s Palace is the “Fountain of Tears”, praised by Pushkin, to which he brought two roses as a gift. This tradition is still maintained in the museum: roses are in the bowl of the fountain all year round.