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Choban-Kule (also spelled Chaban-Kule, Choban-Kale) is the ruins of a 15th-century castle in the vicinity of the village of Morskoye, Sudak. The name translates as "Shepherd's Tower", but this is not the original name, which is lost. The castle and the tower were built by the Genoese brothers di Guasco, there were residential buildings around, there was a church. The di Guasco family was distinguished by a violent temper, and they had a reputation for robbers. They engaged in open confrontation with neighboring families, the authorities, did not spare the locals and their subjects. Therefore, it is not surprising that the settlement did not last long, and was abandoned even before the Turks encroached on the castle.
Today, the great watchtower is best preserved. The remains of the walls are scattered around it. Unfortunately, neither time, nor locals, nor tourists spared the ruins, since this place is not guarded in any way.
There is nothing much to see here except the tower, and it will take no more than fifteen minutes to inspect it. You can climb the ruins, climb inside the tower, but carefully. The fortress was conceived as impregnable, and is located on steep slopes, you need to move around carefully. A stunning view of the coast opens from above, you can see everything from Cape Meganom to Mount Bear (Ayu-Dag).
🕐 Working hours
around the clock.
💵 Entrance fee / ticket price
free.
🚶 How to get there
Choban-Kule is located on Cape Tower near the road between the villages Morskoe and Privetnoe village (Choban-Kule on the map). You can get from the villages on foot during a long walk. From the Sea, you can walk here along the beach. From Sudak you can take a bus to Alushta or Sea. The tower is a little off the road, but it is perfectly visible. It takes about 30 minutes to get from the road on foot, and part of the way passes along a very steep ascent, which, although it does not require special training, may be too difficult for the elderly and children. If you drive your car, you can pull off on a dirt road and get closer to the hill. The exit to the dirt road is located directly opposite the "horse rides".
Photo Choban-Kul, Sudak
