KAFFA, THEODOSIA, or FEODOSIA, a fortified sea-port town of Russia on the S.E. coast of the Crimea, and on the western side of a wide gulf of the same name; N. Lat. 45. 2, E. Long. 35. 20. It occupies the site of the ancient Theodosia, an important town of the Greek kingdom of the Bosphorus. It was founded by Milesian colonists at an early period, and was taken after a long siege by Leucon, king of the Bosphorus, who named it after his wife Theodosia. He likewise made it a port, and gave certain advantages to Athenian vessels coming there for purposes of trade, so
Kafraria. that in a short time it became a place of great commercial importance. After many vicissitudes, it came into the hands of the Genoese in the thirteenth century, and became the seat of an extensive commerce with the East by way of Persia and the Caspian. During this period it is said to have contained 80,000 inhabitants, but after its capture by the Turks in 1474, its prosperity rapidly declined. Since it came into their hands, the Russians have attempted to revive its former greatness, but with very partial success. Kaffa was declared a free port in 1806; and a museum of antiquities, botanic garden, and public library have been established by the Russian government. The harbour is protected by a promontory from the S. and S.W. winds, and there is excellent anchorage with deep water two cables' length from the shore. Pop. (1849) 8435.