Russian occupiers demolish historic Chersonesus site and replace it with new building in Crimea

In Crimea, which is currently under temporary occupation, Russian archaeologists and developers have completely destroyed a significant global monument – the Tauric Chersonese. They replaced it with a new open-air theater and relocated archaeological discoveries to Russia's museums.

Evelina Kravchenko, a senior researcher at the Institute of Archeology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, said this at the 3rd International Forum of the Expert Network of the Crimean Platform.

In 2015-2016, the developers enclosed the exposed archaeological remnants, such as towers, walls, and columns, creating observation platforms. Subsequently, they constructed an ancient open-air theater where the ancient citadel once stood, placing a weight of approximately one ton on the original structure.

Most of the found artifacts were taken to Russian museums, in particular:

• frescoes,
• dishes,
• household items,
• icons.

^{This is what the artifacts that were taken to Russian museums look like. Photo: Evelina Kravchenko}

Afterward, the archaeological park "New Chersonesus" was built on the remnants of the necropolis.

"The Russians didn't know anything about the geological situation at this place, so they started to remove the soil in the territory with ordinary excavators. Somehow, they dug up an ancient spring there, so everything flooded," said Evelina Kravchenko.

As the archaeologist noted, the Russian occupiers are replacing the original monuments with new buildings, destroying their authenticity.

^{The amphitheater was built on the site of an ancient defensive citadel. Photo: Evelina Kravchenko}

"Now negative processes are taking place with the only monument of world importance, which we managed to nominate and include in the list of monuments in Crimea – the Tavrian Chersonesus," Kravchenko emphasized.

Today, a new city has actually been built on the site of the archaeological remains:

• the archaeological park covers old finds;
• several excavated objects were gradually moved and rebuilt in another place;
• The Russians erected the Cathedral of St. Volodymyr on the site of the settlement, which is subordinate to and consecrated by the Moscow Patriarchate.

For reference:

The Tavrian Chersonesus is a unique historical monument from ancient times. Research on this building revealed the system of organization and planning of that time.

Hippodamus became the architect of the polis; the basis of his building plan was a system of longitudinal and transverse streets that intersect at right angles, forming quarters.

This is the only landmark in Crimea that has world significance.

Chersonesus was a democratic state that drew in intellectuals, scientists, and scholars. It also maintained significant trading roles on the Black Sea.

During the Byzantine Empire, it remained an important administrative and trade center; the city became one of the leading centers of Christianity in the south of Crimea.

From the beginning of the 2000s until the occupation of the Crimean peninsula, Ukrainian researchers proposed creating an archaeological park to preserve not only individual sections of the polis but the entire area.

According to Rubryka's report, Russia has been openly waging war against Ukraine since 2014. As a result of this humanitarian aggression, the enemy is engaging in destructive behavior, such as looting and seizing objects of Ukraine's historical and cultural significance. In fact, they have committed thousands of crimes, including attempts to erase our national memory by destroying important archaeological, architectural, and cultural landmarks. To learn more about these atrocities, check out Rubryka's article: "Stolen heritage: Russia's archaeological crimes."