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Imperiia: a spatial history of the Russian Empire

Young Karaite Woman

Karaite woman with children. Crimean Karaites are an ethnic group derived from Turkic-speaking followers of Karaism found in in Eastern Europe. Karaism is a denomination of judaism. Demidov notes that on a visit to the home of the rabbi of Chufut Kale, the "favorite wife blushed agreeably at the entrance of the foreigners" and he was "fascinated by the woman's elegant attire," which he describes in the following detail: "A striped silk dress outlined a well-proportioned figure which no foreign artifice had ever deformed. A wide belt hung on her hips and closed in the front through an ornate clasp composed of finely worked silver plates. A turban perched on her beautiful braids, and a necklace of stones, gold, a slight silk tie, and a yellow satin embroidered black caftan completed this picturesque toilet."

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Contents of this path:
1. Château Vorontsov
2. Russian military convoy
3. Tatar family traveling (near Yalta) A Crimean Tatar family travels on horseback and on foot near Yalta. Women in burkas carry infants in their laps. According to Demidov, the Tatars were free to pursue their favorite economic activities, including the farming "at which they excel." Demidov praised their mastery of irrigation, orchardry and gardening and pointed out that "during the summer season, the influx of wealthy people who come to inhabit the southern coast of Crimea offers Tatar farmers a profitable outlet for their products..." Demidov described the Tatars as "well-housed, well-dressed, and, in a word, well-provided with all they could need for their way of life." (30) Demidov's view of Tatar life should be read against the many sources that offer a dramatically different perspective.
4. Tatars leaving the mosque
5. Young Karaite Woman Karaite woman with children. Crimean Karaites are an ethnic group derived from Turkic-speaking followers of Karaism found in in Eastern Europe. Karaism is a denomination of judaism. Demidov notes that on a visit to the home of the rabbi of Chufut Kale, the "favorite wife blushed agreeably at the entrance of the foreigners" and he was "fascinated by the woman's elegant attire," which he describes in the following detail: "A striped silk dress outlined a well-proportioned figure which no foreign artifice had ever deformed. A wide belt hung on her hips and closed in the front through an ornate clasp composed of finely worked silver plates. A turban perched on her beautiful braids, and a necklace of stones, gold, a slight silk tie, and a yellow satin embroidered black caftan completed this picturesque toilet."
6. Main road in Bahcesaray
7. Butcher and other Tatar merchants
8. Tatar peasant homes in Derekoy View of Crimean Tatar peasants's homes, which were often built into the sides of hills. A man and a small boy stand on a terrace looking into the distance. Demidov notes that the terrace is the most important part of the house because it serves many functions: it serves as a space where the family can make grain products, dried fruit goods, and clothing. It also serves as an observatory from which members of the family can look out on the town and surrounding area. Finally, it is the place from which the family can hear orders from local authorities.
9. View of the Old Bazaar and of Mount Mithridates
10. Armenians and Tatars in a Cafe
13. Tatar family, domestic interior
14. View of the Tatar Village of Alushta
15. Return from the Fountain