The fortress of Aluston was built in the 6th century by order of the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I. Aluston was located 200 metres from the sea on top of a 44-metre high hill. The line of fortress walls of Aluston was a quadrangle of irregular shape. shape. Three towers were erected at the joints of the curtains: Ashaga-Kule ("Lower Tower"), preserved in the centre of the city to this day, Orta-Kule ("Middle Tower") and Chatal-Kule ("Horned Tower"), which has completely collapsed.
The walls of Aluston were 2-3 metres thick and 9.5 metres high. If you look closely look closely at the stonework, one can notice voids in it. In them were wooden logs. Not only did they serve to bind the masonry together. but they also acted as shock absorbers in earthquakes.
By the end of VII century Aluston was abandoned by the Byzantines. In the 10th century, after the fall of the Khazar Kaganate, Aluston was destroyed, possibly by the Pechenegs. Its decline. But from the 12th century, after the stabilisation of the situation on the peninsula, Aluston experienced a new prosperity.
In 1381-1382, the Genoese bought from the Crimean khan a stretch of coast from Sudak to Balaklava, including Aluston (Lusta). A new stage began in the history of the fortress. Alushta became a trading centre of the "Captaincy of Gothia", the number of its population increased to 1-1.5 million. population increases to 1-1,5 thousand people. In the II half of the XV century around Aluston a new defence line with 3 towers on the northern and eastern flanks is erected around Aluston.
In June 1475, the Italian possessions in the Crimea were attacked by the Turkish Turkish fleet. Aluston was also attacked. Archaeological research Archaeological research revealed that the city was destroyed by fire, after which the fortress of Aluston was never rebuilt. rebuilt.
