Fountain of the Tears

The Hansaray palace courtyard contains a small fountain whose sad story moved the Russian writer Alexander Pushkin, to write the poem "The Fountain of Bakhchisaray". This poem tells the story of Maria, a young Polish woman, who is locked in the harem of Guirei khan. Sad, she contines to rebuff the advacnes of her owner who has fallen madly in love with her. This passion causes envy of another slave, Zarema from Georgia. Despite the vigilance of the eunuchs, Zarema threates to kill Mary. Mary died mysteriously soon after. Immediately after, the eunuchs decide to drown Zarema. The prince, inconsolable, builds a fountain, that weeps eternally in memory of his beloved.