Funa fortress in Alushta, Crimea

What to Expect and Is It Worth Visiting

Funa Fortress, Alushta, Crimea — Layout of Funa fortress

Ruins of the medieval fortress of Funa located at the western foot of Mount South Demerdzhi in the vicinity of Alushta. Today there is an open-air museum, a monument of archeology and architecture "Guard fortification Funa", included in the list of cultural heritage sites of federal significance. This is an excellent historical landmark that you can visit during your vacation in Alushta. It is convenient to combine her visit with a visit to Ghost Valley, the entrance to which is a short walk from the fortress.

Funa was of great historical importance, since in the Middle Ages an important trade route ran nearby. The building dates back to 1422-1423, but its century was very short. Already in 1423, it was partially destroyed by an earthquake, and was restored until 1945. And in 1475, the fortress, having existed for a little more than half a century, was almost completely destroyed by the Ottoman Turks.

Of course, today there is very little left of the fortress, but it is still worth a visit. You can explore the museum yourself, or you can purchase tickets with excursion service. Guides will guide you through the ruins, and tell you in detail and interestingly about the history of the fortress, its significance, note interesting moments, answer questions. The entire tour lasts no more than 20 minutes. In addition to the ruins themselves, you can see archaeological exhibits discovered during excavations, samples of medieval weapons, a model of the fortress, clothing and knightly equipment. For an additional fee, you can test yourself in medieval archery.

🕐 Working hours

08:00-17:00, seven days a week.

💵Entrance fee / ticket price

visit with excursion service 100 rubles adult / 70 rubles children; visit without excursion service 75 rubles adult / 45 rubles children.

🚶 How to get there

Funa fortress is located at the foot of Mount Demerdzhi, two kilometers from the village of Lucistoe in the vicinity of Alushta (on the map. It is best to get here from Alushta, because the only bus to the village goes from here, but you can get to the turn to the village on the Simferopol-Alushta highway on any bus or trolleybus, and then on foot or by hitchhiking 3-4 kilometers).

From Alushta from the bus stop across the street from the exit of the bus station daily to 06:50, 8:00, 11:00, 13:10, 14:25, 16:25, 18:20 the bus departs, the journey takes 30 minutes, the cost is 27 rubles (back from Radiant they go to 07:00, 08:10, 10:40, 12:20, 15:00, 17:40). Then the bus goes through the city, picks up passengers on Sovetskaya Square, and goes to Luchistoe. It is better to get first to the bus station, and then take the bus, because in the center of the seat may not be enough.

In Radiant, it is better not to go to the terminal in the center of the village, but at the stop near the stable, for which you should tell the driver to make a stop there "near the stable, to the valley of ghosts", and he will drop you off where you need. There you can buy a horse tour to the fortress and the Valley Of Ghosts from 1200 rubles, or continue on foot through the stable on the trail (about 30 minutes). The trail will take you to a large open Glade where you can visit the fortress.

On your transport it is better to get to the center of the village of Lucistoe, and then along the dirt road to the open Glade where the Funa fortress is located. But in rainy weather on a car on a primer it is better not to meddle.