In the heart of Crimea, the long-lived Crimean Khanate left behind one of its most enduring landmarks: the Khan's Palace in Bakhchysarai, once the political, spiritual, and cultural center of the Crimean Tatars. Raised in the 16th century, it served as the seat of the Giray dynasty. The complex is the only surviving example of Crimean Tatar palace architecture, an assembly of courtyards, gardens and pavilions rather than a single monumental block. Painted interiors, carved and coffered wooden ceilings, stained glass and fountains set the tone, and the ensemble includes the Great Khan Mosque, the harem quarters, the Falcon Tower and the cemetery where the khans are buried, alongside the celebrated Fountain of Tears.
