Bakhchysarai Palace

Bakhchysarai Palace is the former royal residence of the Crimean Khans located in the town of Bakhchysarai in Crimea. The complex dates chiefly from the 16th century and served as the administrative and ceremonial heart of the Crimean Khanate.

Within the palace visitors find elaborately arranged courtyards, decorated reception halls and private apartments, plus the small octagonal “Fountain of Tears” that is a noted symbol of the site. The complex is compact and typically toured on foot, with museum displays showing Crimean Tatar artifacts and palace fittings.

Construction and major enlargements took place from the 16th through the 18th centuries under successive Khans of the Giray dynasty, and the palace remained the Khanate’s seat until the Russian annexation of Crimea in 1783. It has since been preserved and adapted as a museum complex.

The palace sits in the town of Bakhchysarai in central-west Crimea, positioned among low hills and orchards that form the surrounding landscape. It is the principal historic landmark of the town and is accessible from the main road network crossing the peninsula.

• Period: Mostly built from the 16th century and expanded through the 17th and 18th centuries, it served as the political and cultural centre of the Crimean Khanate.
• Visitor tips: Best visited outside the height of summer to avoid heat; the small courtyard fountain and interior rooms are the most popular photo points.

What to See #

• Khan's Palace (Hansaray): The historic palace complex built for the Crimean Khans, incorporating residential courts, reception halls and private chambers developed from the 16th century onward.
• Fountain of Tears: A small octagonal fountain in the palace courtyard traditionally called the Fountain of Tears, long associated with local legend and literary reference.
• Harem and Divan: Former private apartments and reception rooms of the khans that include the Divan Hall and the harem quarters, many fitted with carved wood and tile decoration from the 16th to 18th centuries.
• Museum Collections: The palace complex houses museum displays of Crimean Tatar material culture and palace furnishings that document the Crimean Khanate era.