Panticapaeum – the capital of the mighty Bosporus Kingdom, that was located on both sides of the Kerch Strait in the period of its heyday. The city emerged in the second quarter of the VI century BC. At various times the city was called Vospro, Cherkio and Korchev, experienced many internal wars, barbarian attacks, earthquakes, but the life in this place has never been stopped.
The remains of Panticapaeum are located on the hilltop of the Mithridates Mountain in the heart of modern Kerch, and also on the slopes and surroundings of the mountain under the modern buildings.
On the northern slope of the mountain there was a trade area – the agora. Archaeologists discovered the palace of the Spartokids at the top of the hill. In the center of the palace there was a large paved courtyard surrounded by columns. To the left of the entrance of the palace the temple of Aphrodite and Dionysus was situated (the basement has been preserved). On the slope of the mountain there are Doric columns of some Bosporus resident’s building. In the central part of the building there was a large rectangular courtyard. At the very top of the hill there was a citadel. Strong walls with towers surrounded the city from all sides and covered the road that ran along the top ridge of the mountain. Panticapaeum had a convenient harbor and a shipyard. The terrible king Mithridates VI Eupator was killed there. To commemorate this event people of Kerch named the mountain in the center of the city “the Mithridates.”
Show Ancient City of Panticapaeum on the map.
Opening Hours: 10-00 – 17-00. Closed: Monday
Ticket prices 10 UAH – adults, 5 UAH – children
Phone: +380656125061.
Address: Rybakova Street, 43, Kerch
Email: arhmuseum1826@gmail.com
