In the first centuries of our era, the slopes of Mount Mithridates were actively used by the inhabitants of Panticapaeum for the burial of their deceased relatives. As a rule, these were the so-called. undercut graves.
First, a deep shaft was dug, then a horizontal undermining (undercut) was made and a crypt was already arranged there. The entrance to the crypt was closed by a large fireplace stove. The depth of such crypts was different. (Some are more than ten meters deep!) This peculiar city of the dead stretches for many kilometers along the slopes of Mount Mithridates.
They say that its borders reach the "Golden Kurgan". A great deal of work on the study of the catacombs was carried out by Russian archaeologists V. V. Shkorpil and academician M. I. Rostovtsev. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a treasure hunting fever broke out in Kerch. Despite the opposition of the authorities, hundreds of prospectors dug the earth in search of ancient burials. And when it became difficult to carry out these works in the vicinity of the city, their eyes turned to Mount Mithridates, where, according to rumors and legends, untold treasures were hidden.
Moreover, here it was possible to carry out work without rising to the surface. It was enough to dig out only one burial, and then hammer into its wall. The crypts were arranged so close one to the other that robbers easily fell into the next. After the robbery of another burial site, their actions continued according to the same scenario.
As a result, the bowels of the mountains began to resemble cheese. Thus, labyrinths arose from the passages connecting the crypts with one another. There are stories about temples or churches discovered underground. Many crypts were built by early Christians, and they are known to be persecuted for their religious beliefs and therefore often set up their churches underground.
Promotional video:
No one knows how many crypts and other structures there are, but in almost every house that is built on the mountain, water drains and toilets are arranged in them. It is believed that there are several tens of thousands of crypts underground. A large number of them have wall paintings. Some are simply unique, for example the Stasovsky Crypt, where the battle of warriors is very naturalistically depicted. The location of the crypt has been lost, and it is possible that one of the toilets is located right above it.
During the "development" of the Mithridates burials, the famous Kerch legend about the "Golden Horse" allegedly buried in Mount Mithridates was born.
Visiting the crypts on Mount Mithridates is challenging. Firstly, you need to know where the entrances to the dungeons are, secondly, to have a guide who knows their labyrinths well, and thirdly to agree to risk your life. The crypts are built in soft clay layers and rock falls sometimes occur. Many of the mazes are arranged in tiers, and the number of exits is minimal