[ July, 2013 ] Bakhchisarai is the place I wanted to visit most in this trip in Crimea.
It was the capital city of Crimean Khanate of Crimia Tatars who are the descendant of Genghis Khan.
Even after Ottoman Turkey occupied here in the 15th century, this state was flourished by Ukrainian and Polish slave trading.
This is a photo of Hansaray (palace of Khan).
When Russians got this land in 18th century, Catherine the Great demolished all the mosques in Crimea, but spared this palace, because it was romantic for her.
The basic structure of the interior and the fact that there is a harem are similar to Topkapi palace in Istanbul, but this is much simpler.
The walls are painted which somewhat reminded me of churches in Bulgaria.
