Aluston Fortress
The Aluston fortress owes its origin to Justinian the Great, the Byzantine Emperor, who in the sixth century erected a defensive structure 200 meters from the Black Sea coast, which became the last limit for the Byzantine and Roman Empires. The name "Aluston" has several meanings: "mouth of the mountains", "unwashed", "draft", "alder". Until the end of the 7th century, the fortress will serve the Byzantines – then it begins another story related to the Khazar Khaganate. Interestingly, the population of Aluston will remain Christian, and in the 8th century it will even survive the invasion of Byzantine settlers.
Aluston Fortress and Pallas
During 1,500 years of its existence, Aluston Fortress has been associated with various names, one of such names is Pallas. The first mention in New Europe of the Aluston Fortress, which became the last frontier of the Roman Empire, can be found in Peter Pallas, a German traveler who visited Alushta in 1793-1794. 22 was the age of a young scientist from Germany when he was invited to become a member of the Academy in London and the Netherlands. By the age of 26, Pallas's name, which received a brilliant education, is known far beyond the borders of Germany, and Empress Catherine II learns about him. She wants to know the limits of her state, as by this time there are many unexplored territories. Although Pallas's ambitious plans were related to Africa and Asia, in 1867, at the age of 26, the young scientist, accepting the invitation of the Empress, moved with his family to Russia and enthusiastically began his duties. They call him a German who knows Russia better than many people.
Theodora and the Fortress of Aluston
The fortress is associated with another name – Theodora, the wife of Justinian the Great, revered by the Orthodox Church as a saint. The dowager beauty Tsarina Theodora was courted by many men, but devoted to the memory of her lawful spouse, she resolutely rejected all the courtship of noble nobles. Theodora of Sugdea was attacked by the Genoese, defeated under the walls of the Fortress of Aluston. She retreated with the remnants of the troops to the Fortress of Aluston, which soon also fell under the onslaught of the Genoese. Theodora fought her last battle on Mount Castel, where, they say, the last Sugdean was destroyed along with the Sugdean Queen, who paid with her life for her loyalty to her husband Justinian I.
