Kafa - the city that survived the rise and fall, a shelter on its soil of representatives of different nations, having a very rich history and beautiful nature.Initially it was called Theodosius, mention of which can be found as far back as Homer's "The Odyssey."Kafa in different historical periods is a center of commerce and repeatedly rolled in blood ... The city, like a phoenix risen from the ashes, rebuilt all enemies out of spite.Today Feodosia is a wonderful resort, receiving a huge number of tourists.
ancient history of the city
of the first settlers of Kafa practically did not have any reliable information, some myths and legends.We know that in the end of VI century BC.e.of Miletus in the bay came the Greek ships.The colonists liked the area, gently sloping beach, so they settled here and established a trading port.Due to trade in a short time has grown and prospered Kafa.The city already in the IV century BC.e.He competed with powerful Panticapaeum.Of course, not without trouble.For several decades, Theodosius attacked the kingdom of Bosporus, trying to subdue her.The city experienced ups and downs, it was badly damaged in the middle of the IV century BC.e.after the invasion of the Huns.Up until the XII century.Kafa future lay in ruins.
Genoese settlement
In the XIII century in the possession of merchants from Genoa moved Kafa.Theodosius at the time belonged to the Tatars.Merchants have bought a piece of land and named it Kafa.They quickly rebuilt the city, defended its strong fortifications with high walls and towers, as well as a huge moat filled with water.The favorable geographical position enabled Cafe to become a major port, it is here that intersect trade routes leading to the West and the East.Merchants transported furs, wheat, jewelry, salt, wax, oriental spices and, of course, the slaves.It was the largest slave market in the Crimea.
Life Cafe was not exactly quiet: the Genoese constantly waged war with the Tatars and their competitors - Venetian merchants.Despite the well-planned attack enemies he stands in the city, rebuilt and continued to trade.There were people of various nationalities: Greeks, Armenians, Russian, Tatars, Jews and others.
war with the Turks
In 1475 the Turks completely passed Kafa.The city was devastated at first, but as soon as the conquerors to understand what he can make a profit, then it immediately rebuilt.Kafa continued to be a major trading port, at the same time there could stop up to four hundred ships.The main goods were slaves.In 1616 here came the army of the Cossacks, who were released from the captivity of his countrymen and completely defeated the Turkish fleet.There were also carried out raids in 1628 and 1675 respectively.
joining Russia
In 1783 moved to the Russians Kafa.City, three centuries said Turkish, now belonged to the Tauride province.Empress Catherine II, the newly renamed it to Theodosia.From that time began a period of chaos.Former great, and the port has not been able to recover the buildings were destroyed, trade with other countries halted.Russian liberated the city from the fees, but it is not enough to save him.Only at the end of the XIX century Theodosius began to revive and develop the resort area.
First, the city suffered from the effects of the First World War, but then, at the time of formation of the Soviet regime, it was not easy.But gradually the former Kafa began to turn into an industrial center.There were brick and gidroizvestkovy plants, meat, tobacco and knitwear factories.City Theodosius was badly damaged during the Second World War, only in 1944, people began to slowly rebuild it.
Modern Feodosia
Today the city is a major cultural and industrial center of Crimea.Theodosius annually visited by tourists from Asia and Europe, who are attracted by the local health center, good beaches and delicious wines.
