Pages: 129-152

Ecclesiastical architecture of the medieval Crimea is characterized by awide spread of one-nave constructions with a rectangular naos and an off-set semicircular or faceted apse; these churches were widely spread in fortresses, monasteries, residential quarters, mansions, communities and cemeteries. At this stage of studies, we can be more or less certain about two migration processes, which had an impact on the architectural evolution of the one-nave churches on the coastline of the peninsula. The first one dates to the 9^th—10^th centuries and was connected with the targeted direct and complex (economic, military-political and cultural and religious) colonization of the Southern Crimea by the Byzantine Empire. This process involved some masters from Cherson and was associated with construction of churches of classical design. The second migration wave dates back to the late 13^th—14^th centuries, when refugees from the regions conquered by the Golden Horde, particularly from Cherson, Eski-Kermen, Sogdeia and their environs, had to migrate to remote mountainous areas. This process produced numerous churches with lateral entrance.

Keywords: Southern coast of the Crimea, church architecture, Christian antiquities, one-nave church, church with lateral entrance

Information about author:

Vladimir Kirilko (Simferopol, Crimea). Candidate of Historical Sciences. Institute of Archaeology of Crimea of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Academician Vernadsky Ave., 2, Simferopol, 295007, Crimea
E-mail: [email protected]