Add a review of the fortress Psyfabe

On the northern slope of the Koht Range, enclosing the western edge of the Hot Key, one of the country's oldest buildings - the Psyfabe Fortress - has found refuge. True, the citadel has not survived to this day: only fragments of walls and overgrown with ditches were left of it. And yet once it was majestic and unapproachable. And who knows how the history of this region and the city would have developed, if there had not been such an important strategic object.

The fortress looked pretty impressive, although it was not large in size - no more than 200 square meters. Nearly a third of its area was occupied by a powerful enclosure consisting of two layers of masonry

In the valley of the Psekups River there are several fortresses, but Psyfabe is the most original of all . Access to it is opened through Dantovo Gorge: the path between two cliffs leads up the mountain and turns to the rock Petushok or, as it is also called, to the rock of Salvation . It was here, on the steep summit, once the fortress of Psyfabe was stained . In case of danger, the townspeople fled up, on stone steps, knocked out in the slope , and hid behind the walls itadeli . From here, from the height of the cliff, the surroundings were viewed for several kilometers . Thus with Psyfabe could control the situation in the whole district and, in particular, in the shopping isthmus, passing nearby .

Looked strong fortress, although it was not large in size - no more than 200 sq m . m . Practically one third of its area was occupied by a powerful enclosure consisting of two layers of masonry . The protective wall had more than 40 m of length and about 3, 5 m of width . Entrance to the fortress was crowned by a huge rectangular tower, and the northern part citadel - tower-polygon . Here, on the northern terrace, there was an observation deck with a tower . Also in the fortress territory you can find a lot of cave shelters, in which soldiers could hide. . A few centuries later, in the second half of the 19th century Psyfabe was transformed into something like the administrative center of the settlement . On its territory there was a court, farm buildings and warehouses with food, and near the fortress there were dugouts . Cave grooves previously used for sheltering soldiers, sweat m served as a prison for disobedient .

It is likely that Psyfabe fortress - is the northernmost Christian citadel, contrary to the opinion that Christian antiquity did not go over the line of modern Abkhazia. If the research confirms this theory, Psyfabe will be awarded the title of a monument of world history.

Psyfabe Fortress is one of the most popular sights of the Hot Key. And next to it there are other, no less significant city dignities. In particular, at the entrance to the Dantovo Gorge, you can visit the Mineral Glade and the Iberian Chapel. Then the path runs directly through the gorge itself, famous for its natural charm. Yes, and the Rock Petushok has long become an unspoken city symbol. From its peak, there are wonderful views of the Psekups Valley and its surroundings

How to get there

The Citadel is on the western outskirts of Goryachy Klyuch. If you go on the highway M-4 towards the Black Sea embankment, you should stop at the restaurant "Old Castle" and cross the river on the footbridge. Public transport must travel to the final stop "Sanatorium."