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Coat of Arms[image] State Ukraine Region Republic of Crimea Geographical coordinates 45°22′ N 36°27′ E Founded 7th century BC Population 157,000 (2001) Languages Russian, Ukrainian Gorodskoy Golova (Mayor) Oleg Osadchiy (2004) Phone prefix 06561 Time zone GMT + 2:00 (Kiev Time)
Kerch as a city starts its history in 7th century BC, when Greek colonists from Miletus founded a city-state named Panticapaeum (which means fish road) on the shore of Kerch Strait. Panticapaeum was a predecessor of present-day Kerch city, it subdued nearby cities and by 480 BC became a capital of the Kingdom of Bosporus. The city located at the intersection of trade roads between Asia and Europe grew rapidly. The city's main exports were grain and salted fish, wine-making was also common. Panticapaeum minted its own coins.
In 1st century AD Panticapaeum and the Kingdom of Bosporus suffered from Ostrogoth raids, then the city was devastated by the Huns in AD 375.
In the 7th century the Turkic Khazars took control of Bospor, and the city was named Karcha or Charsha. The main local government official during Khazar times was the Tudun. Christianity was a major religion in Kerch during the period of Khazar rule. Kerch's Church of St. John the Baptist was founded in 717. The "Church of the Apostles" existed during the late 8th century and early 9th century, according to the "Life of the Apostle Andrew" by Epiphanus.
Following the fall of Khazaria to Kievian Rus' in the late 900s, Kerch became the center of a Khazar successor-state. Its ruler, Georgius Tzul, was deposed by a Byzantine-Rus expedition in 1016.
From the 10th century the city was a Slavic settlement named Korchev, which belonged to the Tmutarakan principality. Korchev was a center of trade between Rus, Crimea, Caucasus, and the Orient.
In the 13th century Crimea including Korchev was invaded by Tartars. After Tartars, the city became the Genoese colony of Cerco (Cherkio) in 1318 and served as a sea harbour, townspeople worked at salt-works and fishery.
In 1475 city was passed to the Ottoman Empire. During the Turkish rule Kerch fell into decay and served as a slave-market. It repeatedly suffered from raids of Zaporizhian Cossacks.
Because of its location, from 1821 Kerch developed into an important trade and fishing port. The state museum of ancient times and a number of educational institutions were opened in the city. The ironwork factory was built in 1846 based on a huge iron ore deposit found on Kerch Peninsula.
During the Crimean War the city was devastated by British forces in 1855.
In the late 19th century mechanical and cement factories were built, tinned food and tobacco factories were launched. By 1900 Kerch was connected to a railroad system, and the fairway of Kerch Strait was deepened and widened. Population had reached 33,000.
After suffering a decline during the First World War and the Russian Civil War, the city resumed its growth in the late 1920s with the expansion of various industries, iron ore and metallurgy in particular, and by 1939 its population had reached 104,500.
The German occupants killed about 15,000 citizens and deported another 14,000 during their reign. Evidence of German atrocities in Kerch was presented in the Nuremberg Trials. After the War the city was awarded the title Hero City.
Ajimushkay Catacombs (mines) in the city's suburbs were a site of heroic guerilla campaign against occupation. Thousands of soldiers and refugees found shelter inside, making permanent counterattacks. Many of them died underground as a result of German storm attempts (incl. those with chemical weapon) and hunger. Later a memorial was established on the site.
After the disintegration of Soviet Union hard times came for metal manufacture and shipbuilding in the city and Kerch is gradually turning into a resort and tourist centre.
Kerch has a number of impressive architectural and historical monuments. Ancient historical heritage of the city makes it attractive for scientific tourism. The most notable of Kerch's sights are: