Staryi Krym

The Mosque of Khan Uzbek in Staryi Krym is the oldest Crimean mosque, built in 1314 under the Horde Khan Uzbek (the name and date are carved on the facade).

Under Khan Mengli Giray, it became a cathedral.

The interior is divided by three pairs of octagonal columns with stalactite capitals into three naves, longitudinally connected by pointed arches.

Currently, the Mosque of Khan Uzbek is operational. Nearby is a madrasah - a Muslim religious school.

The Surb-Khach Monastery was founded in the mountains near three holy springs (two have survived) by Armenian refugees in 1315.

The name translates as Holy Cross, it is associated with the ancient khachkar (stone cross) of the 6th century, which was taken to Crimea from the ancient Armenian capital of Ani. In the 13th century, the Surb-Nshan temple was built with a bell tower, a fraternal building, and a refectory.

After the arrival of the Turks in Crimea, the monastery became the main religious and cultural center of the Crimean Armenians, a place of pilgrimage for Armenians from different countries. It housed an episcopal see, the territory of which stretched from the Balkan Peninsula to Moldova.

During Soviet times, the monastery was closed, and since 2002, after Ukraine gained independence, it has been returned to the Armenian Apostolic Church.