Bakhchysaray

August 18, 2001

There is one fountain called the fountain of tears.  Alexander Pushkin wrote a famous poem after seeing the fountain which inspired a Russian Ballet.  The legend goes that Qırım Giray – an outstanding ruler and a fearless warrior – falls in love with a Polish beauty in his harem. According to the legend, he loved her more than anything else he loved in his life.  His happiness was short lived, the princess died, either poisoned by a jealous woman in the harem or unable to endure being part of a Harem. Deeply grieving, Qırım Giray buried his beloved Dilara with the highest honor, having erected a mausoleum over her grave.  Concerned that the leader was neglecting his affairs of state, the court commissioned the fountain to give the ruler an outlet for his grief.

The fountain appears to cry.  Every so often a few drips of water are released and it spreads through the various levels until it reaches the base of the fountain.

I had to wonder if this was just a legend or if there was actual history involved.   Was this a case of life imitating art imitating life?

At Lunch today we had Piroschki filled with Curd and Herbs, it tasted like it was a fried dough with a filling.  We also had Ukrainian Meatballs.