From ancient times along South Bank In Crimea, there were several routes through the Main Range of the Crimean Mountains. Many paths were laid by local residents, Tauris and Greeks, and stone roads through the pass were laid by Roman legionaries.
“Via militaris” in Crimea connected the second half of the 1st century AD. e. two large Roman garrisons - Chersonese and the fortress of Charax on Cape Ai-Todor, passing along the coast through the Devil's Staircase pass (Shaitan-Merdven) to the Baydar Valley and further through the Roman fortress "Symbolum portus" Simbalon on the shore of Balaklava harbor in Chersonese.


The “Devil's Staircase” pass (Shaitan-merdven) is a pass over Gurzuf, Vasil-bogaz near Yalta, Gaspra-bogaz in the area of ​​Mount Krestovaya, Eski-bogaz over Simeiz, Baydarsky pass. However, the most remarkable among them in terms of natural beauty and the shortest path from the South Coast to the Yayly Plateau is the “Devil's Staircase”. The main ridge of the Crimean Mountains declines in the area of ​​the village of Mukhalatka, forming a wide notch. A path passes through it, leading through the pass at an altitude of 578 meters to the northern slope of the mountain range. This mountain road through the pass was also used by Roman legionnaires, who paved the road from Chersonesos to the Kharaks fortress on Cape Ai-Todor.

Old Roman Road - Spirada

Now you can see several sections of the old Roman road, all of them are small, but along them you can trace the entire path through the Shaitan-Merdven pass, connecting the foothill areas with the southern coast of Crimea:
“Via militaris”, starts from the village of Kalenda (now the village of Podgornoye) - Kalenda Trail goes towards the Black Sea through the Devil's Staircase pass. (in Tat. Shaitan-Merdven).
Second section "Via militaris" Mordvinovskaya road preserved near the village of Orlinoe
Third section "Via militaris" preserved near the village of Rodnikovoe, then the path leads through the Karadag Forest tract to the Baydar Valley.
From the village of Podgornoye “Via militaris” went straight to the village of Shirokoye, the Roman road crossed the Baydar valley, then climbed the slope of Mount Simnalykh and then up and down low mountains, where steep slopes are overcome by serpentines, and led to the village of Morozovka. Then “Via militaris” walked along the right bank of the Chernaya River, along the Kara-Koba valley, and from there in Tauride Chersonesos.

The first attempts of the Roman Empire, made in the early 40s of the 1st century, to take control of the Bosporan kingdom ended in failure. In the 60s of the 1st century Greek Chersonesos himself turned to Rome for help , since he could not independently defend the city and repel the Scythians. The Roman Empire took advantage of the situation to strengthen its influence in Tauris and the Black Sea region.


The Roman military garrison was headed by the legate of Moesia, Tiberius Plautius Silvanus, commanded the XI Claudian, I Italian, V Macedonian legions and 40 ships of the Ravenna squadron, which settled in Quarantine Bay.


In addition to Chersonesos, an outpost of the Roman army in Crimea, it was decided to build another military fortress to control the vast territories of Taurida. The choice fell on the former military Tauri fortress on Cape Ai-Todor, the Roman fortress was named Charax, and new fortifications were erected.
Communication between Roman fortresses was carried out by sea, but this route was clearly not enough due to the frequent sea storms and hurricanes that often raged on the Black Sea in autumn and winter. The soldiers of the Roman garrison set about building a reliable land road in any weather.

Old Roman Road - Spirada

In many places on the old Roman road, embankments and retaining walls - “crepids” - are preserved - characteristic technologies for building Roman roads in mountainous areas.
The Old Roman road was the shortest road, connecting sea ​​coast from the valleys of Taurida. Not only did the Romans use the Roman road, but also local residents Tauris, Greeks and Scythians. Roman legionnaires more than once entered into battle with the inhabitants of Tauris; local residents fiercely resisted the Romans and often staged ambushes and attacks on the road.

In the 240s AD. e. Roman legionaries left the fortress of Charax, and the old Roman road remained in Crimea. The Kalenda trail can still be walked today, but Roman legionnaires walked along it 1775 years ago.

In some places along the route of the Roman “Via militaris” you can see a good-quality cobblestone road, but this is already the merit of the residents of the Baydar Valley, who maintained the road in good condition for hundreds of years, and in return were exempt from paying taxes.

The Kalenda Trail was used for centuries as a road for pack animals carrying loads. The Kalendnaya trail is paved in some places with good-quality cobblestones; it ascends, winding through a dense forest, and periodically comes out to a cliff on the Devil’s Staircase.
Deep ruts from cart wheels, cut into the rocky surface of the old Roman road for a thousand years, are best visible on the road to Kilse-Burun. On the path, among the stones, you can find fragments of ancient Greek ceramics dating back to the 1st century AD and fragments of medieval ceramics.

Researchers of the Kalend trail have no doubt that the path itself existed on the Kilse-Burun yayla before the arrival of the Romans in Taurida, but the legionnaires strengthened the mountain path of the “barbarians” and laid a real road along it and ensured its protection. The Roman road guards - beneficiaries, monitored movements along the Roman road and warned the Roman garrison about an ambush and the danger of clashes with warlike Taurus.

Old Roman Road - Spirada

Toponymy of the name
How is the toponym translated? Kalenda? Kalenda, from the root of the word kala - kāla - kolo, circle of life, moment in time, space, time-calendar, eternal cycle of life. Most ancient calendars are round and have the shape of a circle or a wheel.
To protect roads in Tavria, fortresses were built at the beginning Kalendskaya trail, and on the south side of the Devil's Staircase. The high walls of the fortress closed in a circle, which is why the fortresses were called “kale”. Fortress in Crimea Yeni-Kale, a city in France Calais in the Pas-de-Calais Strait.
Some researchers believe that the name of the village of Kalenda dates back to the time of the Romans' stay in Crimea, when the main base of troops and navy in the 1st century AD. e. There was the Greek Chersonesus for the Roman legionaries.
In 1820, A.S. Pushkin and his companions climbed along the old Roman road along the “Devil’s Staircase”, heading to the St. George Monastery, near Sevastopol.
More details: http://italia-ru.com/page/dorogi-drevnego-rima

“All roads lead to Rome” - this popular saying applies to the territories that were part of the empire of the same name. Lands were once part of the Pax Romana Greek city-states. As is known, many of them were in Crimea. There is a Roman road on this peninsula as well. Its middle part is located in the famous Baydar Valley, along which they make their way to the no less popular among the “savages”. The attraction in Chersonesus finishes - under.

Where is the facility located in Crimea?

On the map of Crimea, the Roman Road (middle) is a barely noticeable line running 900 m from Rodnikovsky and Podgorny. It connects two natural tracts - (the height of the “transfer point” beyond the “Devil’s Staircase” is 578 m) and Baydarsky Canyon(at one of the sections of which the protected area begins).

Road on the map of Crimea

History of the Kalenda Trail

Ancient Roman communication dates back to the 1st century BC. It connected the strategic centers of the Greek world - Charax (“a palisaded place”) and Chersonesos (“small peninsula”). In ancient times, there was lively trade between the policies, delegations and gatherings related to the alliance were held.

During the era of the conquests of Rome, the old, barely noticeable “route” turns into a Roman highway - a cobblestone highway. Legionnaires walked here, their sutlers with their carts, captured savages and herds of bleating military “trophies”. This is due to the fact that it was impossible to sail by sea during a storm.

The Kalendskaya Trail in Crimea received its name in the Middle Ages. Linguists are sure that it consists of two Turkic words - “kale” and “endy” (“the fortress descends”). The fact is that the route about which we're talking about, “superimposed” on a rather complex terrain.

During the era of the Russo-Turkish Wars, the old Roman road was used by both the Ottomans and the Russians. changed the geography of some of its sections - climbing the ridge became much more difficult. In “Ukrainian” and then “Russian” times, the highway became a historical monument, reliably protected by the state. Cobblestone mining, as well as any vandalism in the “archaeological park” is prohibited.

Why do tourists visit the Roman Road?

The Roman road in Crimea is part of a transport communication that allowed the Latin legions to quickly travel from one center of southwestern Taurida to another (through its mountainous part). Via Militaris was needed to pacify the rebellious Iranian-speaking tribes. They had lived on the peninsula for several centuries and considered the Romans as invaders. With the help of the tract it was also possible to purchase goods from Greek traders.

The 11-kilometer fragment “Baydar Gorge - Balaklava” is covered in 3-4 hours. Its average width is 2-3 m. However, the entire path is easier to describe in the language of geographers. The traveler rises (from Ai-Todor) to the Ai-Petrinskaya yayla, then even higher - to the Shaitan-Merdven pass. Then he descends into (very close to Skelskaya Cave). From here there are several “sleeves” of the “route”,
leading all the way to Chersonesos (the locals know them).

The full tour begins at the entrance to Charax, the largest Crimean fortress of the Latins. The ruins are visible at the top (the remains of two rows of walls abutting the cliff in the south are noticeable here). There is a sign board. Historians believe that this bastion was built by the Moesian squadron of sailors - under Vespasian, it founded a base that defended (with the troops of Chersonese and Simbolon) the entire southwestern coast.

A section of this route passed through Simbolon Limen (part of Balaklava Bay). The city was the only port on the route, so it played an important role. Roman cobblestones can be seen around - heirs of Roman fortifications. Finally, the passage that brings the curious vacationer closer to the famous Chersonesus is notable for its specific exhibits. Even now traces can be found here ancient architecture, for example, column bases and tavern plinths assembled piece by piece.

How to get to the road-museum?

The most convenient way to the Kalend trail in Crimea lies from the Skelskaya cave, to its depths for guests of Sevastopol and is often delivered tourist buses. 200 m of quite tolerable ascent will take you to the very core of the old highway. Do you want to drive your car? Come to Rodnikovsky or Podgorny. Locals will show you the further traffic pattern, indicating priority landmarks in the area.

Do you find it easier to navigate on a map? Here is the route to get to the Roman Road:

Note to tourists

  • Address: Podgornoye village, Sevastopol, Crimea, Russia.
  • Coordinates: 44.451944, 33.827778.

The Roman highway "Charax - Chersonesos" served as a connection between two important outposts of Rome. Thanks to the timely deployment of military forces, imperial power over the aborigines was maintained for centuries. The route is interesting for lovers ancient history and local history, as well as fans of photo sessions - against the backdrop of ruins and rocks. Their photos and reviews can be found in great abundance on travel websites and blogs, including on our page.

The Internet resource helps to tell each other about our country and Crimea and together to the whole world. About our monuments thousand years of history. About our amazing and charming nature. About corners where no tourist has ever set foot. About Crimea and hometown, which we all love so much!

When preparing the material, the Kyivstar Spark smartphone was used. Recently, it has become popular to use downloaded mobile content. Downloading themes to your touch phone has become very easy. Games and various useful programs are also popular.

The Old Sevastopol Highway is a rare example of a route for the southern coast of Crimea that turned out to be practically forgotten after a more convenient road appeared. As a rule, any paths on the coast are still used, since it has been developed quite thoroughly. But on the old Sevastopol highway you can very rarely see a car, since it runs far from the sea and does not lead to almost any popular object.

Therefore, we suggest that you take a walking tour along it, which will not be difficult to do using some of our tips.

First of all, you should think about equipment. Pay special attention to your shoes - the fact is that you will have to walk not along dirt paths, but along an asphalt road. Therefore, instead of the seemingly obvious hard hiking boots, choose sneakers with springy soles. As for the rest of your clothes, you will have to walk through a completely civilized area, so it is not at all necessary to follow the militarized tourist dress code, although it will still not be entirely comfortable in an evening dress. Take something to drink with you (there will be no water on a very long stretch of the journey) and something to eat. In summer and winter the route is of little interest, but in spring and autumn there will be something to see.

The old Sevastol road runs quite high above sea level. This is due to the fact that its builders could not solve two problems using the technologies of their time, and therefore were forced to bypass them. The first is Mount Cat above Simeiz. The builders of the new Sevastopol highway had to “break the back of an animal” made of very durable limestone. A little further towards Sevastopol there is another mountain that stood in the way of road builders - Dragon or Ai-Yuri. They dealt with it “simpler” - they broke through the only automobile tunnel on the southern coast of Crimea.

You can pass the old Sevastopol highway from two sides - from Alupka to Foros, or vice versa. Let's assume that we will start from Yalta, and therefore it would be logical to go from Foros to Alupka, that is, to the departure point. So, we will need to get to the fork where there is a turn to Foros.

However, we do not need it, but the road leading into the mountains to the Baydar Gate pass.

Both branches are actually opposite each other, so you can take either the Foros bus or the Sevastopol bus. Foros is the farthest village included in the so-called Greater Yalta, and directly from the city it is located at a distance of 42 kilometers. Interestingly, it is closer to Sevastopol from Foros and some local residents prefer to look for work in the hero city. It will take about an hour to drive from Yalta, so we recommend leaving in the morning.

So, we reach the Foros fork and head up the road to first look up close at one of the most famous Crimean temples - the Church of the Resurrection of Christ located on the steep Red Rock, which, by the way, celebrates its 120th anniversary on October 4, 2012. It was built at the expense of the Russian “tea king” Alexander Kuznetsov in honor of miraculous salvation families Alexandra III in a train wreck. During Soviet times, the temple was used for industrial purposes, including as a snack bar for tourists. Already under independent Ukraine, the then President Leonid Kuchma took charge of the fate of the unusual church, and with his participation the church was restored, after which it became a very popular tourist and religious site. It is often chosen by famous politicians or show business figures for their wedding. You will have to walk 4 kilometers along the road to get there. True, initially the road makes a loop and, after walking 2 kilometers, you will find yourself approximately above the point where you started your journey. However, we do not recommend looking for short paths, since these are still mountains and they often lead to very steep slopes.

The road to the temple, as it should be for anyone mountain track, very winding. Therefore, during the famous Yalta Rally, one of the stages takes place along the old Sevastopol Highway.

From the Church of the Resurrection of Christ there is a magnificent view of Foros and the nearby mountains, although the temple itself looks no less impressive against the backdrop of the coast, taken from the road above. In principle, from the church it’s very close to the Baydar Gate pass and that’s where the old road to Sevastopol goes, but after admiring the sight, it’s better to turn back, since the road ahead is very long.

Walking along the route is quite easy, since it very rarely goes uphill, and even then at a slight angle, but for the most part it is flat or slowly descends downhill. First interesting object, which will be encountered on the way, or rather, it will be clearly visible from the highway, there will be a tunnel made by the builders of the new and existing Sevastopol highway in Mount Dragon.

It is small (about 50-70 meters), but not the most pleasant geological processes are constantly happening around, and the walls of the tunnel began to collapse over time.

IN last years the traffic along it is one-way, that is, first the cars go to Yalta, and then it’s the turn of those moving in the opposite direction. In addition, anti-landslide work is constantly being carried out on the Yalta side. It was not possible to find out the exact date of its construction, but there is information that it happened in the early 70s of the last century. So from about this time the old Sevastopol Highway began to lose its strategic importance.

Going even further, we will find ourselves near one of the most ancient Crimean transport arteries- the road built by the ancient Romans through the Shaitan-Merdven pass, or the Devil’s Staircase, which connected the southern coast of Crimea with the rest of it.

The “road” now looks more like a well-equipped path and it’s quite easy to follow. They say that Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin personally overcame this pass, holding on to the tail of a donkey.

In fact, even for younger schoolchildren there should be no problems in overcoming one of the lowest Crimean passes. The climb takes about 20 minutes, and the main thing is not to forget about shoes, although even in flip-flops you can easily walk there. Again, there is information that during the visit to Crimea of ​​the first famous tourist, Catherine II, they did not dare to take the royal person down to the South Coast, which was then practically wild and had no roads. However, it was from this pass that the Empress looked at the new Russian acquisitions and was generally pleased. This object is protected and is a monument, so there is an entrance fee, but you will be offered an excursion and, again, do not forget that you are in the mountains, so an experienced guide will not be superfluous. However, it is better not to combine a walk along the highway and a climb to Shaitan-Merdven; it is better to do it another time. By the way, the surrounding rocks are used by climbers for training, so don’t be surprised if you see tiny figures of people hanging on ropes or walking along the steep rocks.

Well, we move on. By the way, the reason why there are practically no cars on the highway will soon become clear. Several years ago it was hit by a large landslide, which made it dangerous not only to drive through, but also to walk there. But now the road has been restored, but the danger of a landslide remains, so motorists do not favor this area.

And for us pedestrians, this is even better. Along the way we will meet two villages - Opolznevoe and Goluboi Zaliv, through which the highway passes right through and have survived their better times even before the new route appeared. There are shops there and you can replenish your supplies of water and food. In addition, you can leave from there by bus if your strength leaves you or it becomes clear that you won’t have time to cover all the highways. In addition, there are many branches leading from the old highway down to the new one, so you can interrupt your walk at any time and return to civilization. As for the coast, during the journey we will pass over several settlements, some of which are so small that they are difficult to distinguish from simple clusters of residential buildings. Also in this region there are several large boarding houses and sanatoriums, which are clearly visible from above. Some have retained the characteristic features of Soviet resort architecture, others have been modernized, and others have even been built from scratch in recent years.

Having passed the Blue Bay, we come out onto the “ridge” of Mount Koshka.

Its upper part is still closed to the public and military facilities are located there. During the preparation of the lunar program, Sergei Korolev decided to test lunar rovers there, which is why ancient burial sites were damaged, but scientific progress then did not really take the past into account. The part of the mountain that was below the new route is the most popular place for visiting newlyweds, as well as archaeological site. And there you can buy the famous “Yalta” sweet onions and the region Blue Bay, Olive, Opolznevoy and Katsiveli are most favorable for its growth. If you look from above, to the right of Koshka there will be the village of Katsiveli with a Water Park and a huge telescope ( Crimean Observatory), and on the left is the village of Simeiz with the Diva rock standing in the sea and the most Mediterranean microclimate in the entire South Coast. From Simeiz, and, consequently, from the highway above it, the most famous Crimean mountain Ai-Petri, which is often mistakenly called the highest on the peninsula.

Having wandered along the slope of Koshka, we will come out to the outskirts of Alupka and to the intersection of two “generations” of the Sevastopol highway. By the way, to sit on regular bus, you will have to walk about 100 meters back along the new highway. If you don’t do this, then the next stop will be right in the Koreiz area after 10 kilometers. The fact is that buses don’t just stop on the highway, and you’re unlikely to want to have such a bonus for a walk along the old highway. By the way, let's count how much we've gone through. So, from the crossroads at Foros to the temple - 4 kilometers, another 2 - the road back to the crossroads, from which we go towards the mountains, and from it to Alupka - 22 kilometers. Total - 28 kilometers. That’s why it’s better not to be distracted by hiking around Shaitan-Merdven, and without it you’ll see a lot of interesting things.

“...The road for three miles winds with whimsical bends and turns through the lands of the Foros estate and disappears into a tunnel. Despite the apparent steepness, the descent is completely safe and extremely attractive...” - this is how he described the path from the Baydar Gate to Yalta in 1913 Grigory Moskvich in his “Guide to Crimea”.

The road issue has always been a problem in Crimea - the path to the sea was dangerous and difficult. This was especially true of its southern part, separated mountain range. After the annexation of Taurida to the Russian Empire, following the example of the Empress, travelers began to come here often. Catherine II herself never visited the South Coast in 1787, but was only able to admire from the pass the sea stretching below and the winding coast going east, because the road laid for her journey ended at Baydar. The further path ran through the difficult and steep Shaitan-Merdven (Devil's Staircase) pass; only an experienced traveler could overcome it either on foot or on horseback.

The lack of roads for a long time hampered the development and development of Crimea. Even the first governors, the Duke de Richelieu and Lieutenant General A. Borozdin-Tavrichesky, had to build their dachas for more than three years. Count M. Vorontsov, who began construction of the palace in Alupka, also faced the same problem. Only after Emperor Alexander I, admiring the beauty of the Southern Coast, acquired an estate in Nizhnyaya Oreanda, came the greatest instruction to the Main Directorate of Communications to connect Simferopol, Yalta and Sevastopol by highway.

The development of the project and its leadership were entrusted to Lieutenant General Betancourt, one of the organizers transport system in Russia. In 1824, according to the approved plan, with the active participation of Governor General Vorontsov, the construction of the highway began with the forces of soldiers of the Kozlovsky and Nashmbursky regiments and the battalion of the 40th Jaeger Regiment. In Crimea, all work was led by corps engineer-colonel P.V. Shipilov (until his death in 1834). The construction was completed by his assistant, engineer-captain Slavich, who received the rank of engineer-colonel after completing the section Sevastopol - Baydar Gate in 1848.

The road was built in several stages. The Simferopol-Alushta section was completed first in 1826. Then there was a long break due to lack of funds, and only in 1832, with the personal participation of Count Vorontsov, construction of the section connecting Alushta and Yalta continued. In parallel, work was going on on the other side - from Sevastopol to Yalta.

Builders lived - soldiers, civilians, prisoners, convicts - in temporary houses along the road under construction. Through their efforts, dozens of stone rubble have been cleared, kilometers of retaining walls and many bridges have been built. In 1835, Captain Albrandt arrived to help Major Slavich, who was supervising the work on site, and in 1842 their company was strengthened by Captain Frembter. It was thanks to the skill and professionalism of these people that the construction of the South Coast Highway was successfully completed.

Instead of the five years it was planned to complete the Simferopol-Yalta-Sevastopol highway, it took more than 20. In 1848, in honor of the completion of work, a propylaea gate was erected at the Baydar Pass (architect K. I. Eshliman).

“Following the Baydar Gate, the crew rises completely unnoticed to a height of 1631 ft. above sea level and... stops at the station. “Baydar Gate”: the tourist takes a few steps to the stone gate, behind which suddenly, as if by magic, a magnificent panorama of the southern coast opens before him, lying below, as if in a deep abyss, by the boundless sea” (Grigory Moskvich “Guide to Crimea”, 1913).