Crimean ports of call (Yalta, Sevastopol) + Odessa)
___________________________THE CRIMEA___________________________
GEOGRAPHY
Located in Eastern Europe and washed by Black Sea and Sea of Azov, Crimean Peninsula with 26 100 km2 territory borders with Kherson distric(Ukraine) in the north and separated from Krasnodarsky Kray(Russia) by Kerch strait in its east.
The capital of Autonomous Republic of the Crimea is Simferopol.
Major cities: Feodosia, Kerch, Sevastopol, Simferopol, Sudak, Yalta, Yvpatoria. But total - 16 cities.
Main rivers: Salgir, Indol, Biuk-Karasu, Tchernaya, Belbek, Kacha, Alma.
Highest mountains: Roman-Kosh (1545m), Demir-Kapu (1540m), Zeytin-Kosh (1534m), Kemal-Egerek (1529m), Eklizi-Burun (1527m), Angara-Burun (1453m).
==============================================
POPULATION
Population of the Crimea is 2 033 700 people. About one hundred twenty five nationalities live at Peninsula. Local population mostly consisted of Russians - 58,5%, Ukrainians - 24,4% and Crimean Tartars - 12,1%, also represented Armenians - 0,4%, Jews - 0,2%, Greeks -0,1%, Germen - 0,1% and others.
Language composition: 77% of Crimean population consider Russian as their native language, 11,4% - Crimean-Tartar as their native and 10,1% - Ukrainian.
Official State language in Crimea is Ukrainian.
==============================================
CLIMATE
Southern Coast of the Crimea has sub-Mediterranean, mild continental climate with hot dry summer and mild warm humid winter. Average temperature in summer
|July| +23,0° +24,5° and in winter |January| +2,0° +4,0°. Annual precipitation at Southern coast of the Crimea is about 350-650(mm).We have 250-300 SUNNY DAYS per year.
Mountain part divides Southern Coast of the Crimea from Midland has light continental climate with warm and mild humid summer and cool humid winter.
Midland part of the Crimea has mild continental steppe climate with hot dry summer and cool humid winter. Average temperature in summer |July| +22,0° +23,5° and in winter |January| -2,3° - 0,0°. Annual precipitation at Midland of the Crimea is about 340-480(mm).
=============================================
HISTORY in FIGURES
VII B.C. - Crimea within Scythia
VI B.C. - V B.C. - Foundation of Greek colonies
V B.C. - IV A.D. - Bosporus Kingdom
V A.D. - XIII A.D. - Crimea within Byzantine Empire
V A.D. - XI A.D. - Cave towns
988 A.D. - Compain of Prince Vladimir and adoption of Christianity at Chersonesus
XIII A.D. - XV A.D. - Greek Kingdom Theodoro
XIII A.D. - XV A.D. - Genoese at Crimea
1475 - Turks invasion
8 April 1783 - Russian Empress Catherine the Great signed Manifest according which Crimea became part of Russian Empire
1854 - 1856 Crimean War
4 - 11 February 1945 - Yalta (Crimean) Conference of Anti-Nazy Coalition
20 January 1991 - Referrendum for recreation of Crimean Autonomous Soviet Socialistic Republic
==============================================
VISA REQUIREMENTS
Ukraine introduced a visa free regime for citizens of the countries of European Union, U.S.A., Canada, Japan, Switzerland, Norway, San Marino, Monaco, Iceland, Vatican, Andorra and Liechtenstein, who may stay in Ukraine without visas up to 90 days.
A passport valid for six months beyond the planned date of travel is required. For citizens of the above mentioned countries who enter Ukraine with the purpose of employment, permanent residency, study and work at the diplomatic missions of the above mentioned countries in Ukraine or with any other purpose if they are going to stay in Ukraine for more than 90 days, visas are still required. No visas are required for citizens of CIS countries (except Turkmenistan).
==============================================
For centuries Yalta - the jewel of the Crimea - has lured millions of people with its mild climate, stunningly beautiful natural surroundings, warm sea, vast historical and cultural heritage, and special relaxed artistic atmosphere. The tourism capital of the country, Yalta has always been a crossroads of different cultures - from the ancient Tauri, Huns, Scythians, Greeks to the Tartars, the Russians, the Ukrainians, and provides the guests with opportunities of both sea-and-sun rest, and extensive sightseeing. Palaces of Emperors and noblemen, wineries, botanical gardens, museum are all open to welcome guests. Yalta belonged to Byzantium in the 6th century and first mentioned in writing in 1154 by an Arabian geographer Al-Idricy as Byzantine port and fishing village of Dzhalita. In the 14th century it was known as the Genoese colony of Etalita. In 1475 it passed to Turkey and remained under Turkish Domination until annexation to Russia in the 18th century, when Catherine the Great lavishly gave away land in the newly acquired territories to her nobles. Yalta grew in size and was surrounded by prosperous estates. Since the 18th century Yalta has been chosen a place to live and rest by nobility and Imperial families, party leaders (during the soviet era), famous writers, poets, creative people (Anton Chekhov and Leo Tolstoy were among its famous inhabitants). Yalta is located on the Southern tip of the Crimean penninsula and is spectacularly surrounded by the amphitheater of the Crimean Mountains with the peaks of Mt. Ai-Petri (St. Peter) towering above. The air of mountain pine forests and the sea breezes make the unique combination, famous for its curative properties. This blend, has been one of the factors for the development of numerous health resorts, which began to evolve here in the 19th century. The 1960s-70s saw the rapid development of the city's recreational infrastructure, when over hundred facilities of all calibres were built. After the colapse the Soviet Union tourist infrastructure began the switch to new realities of market economy to meet requirements of more demanding tourists from worlwide Yalta is a wonderful city that calls you feel the atmosphere of sunny resort.
----------------------------------------------ATTRACTIONS------------------------------------- Livadia Palace
Livadia ( The White) Palace - is one of the most interesting places at south coast of the Crimea. The White Palace, designed by architect Nikolay Krasnov in Renaissance style, was constracted for imperial family in 1911. It was summer residence of the last Russian tsar Nicolas II and his family. In February 1945 it became a place where the Crimean Conference of the Government executives of the anti-Hitler coalition countries (Stalin from USSR, Roosevelt from USA and Churchil from Great Britain) took place, besides it was residence of US president Teodor Roosevelt for the period of Yalta conference. Vorontsov Palace
Alupka ( Vorontsov ) Palace - was consctructed in 1828-1848 by serf-masters according to the project of A.Blore. The Palace is built in pseudo-gothic style with the eastern stlyle elements. Opened for visitors sonce 1921, the Palace-museum hs the original interiors, collections of furniture, painting, china. bronzes, cut-glass ware. Around the Palace there's a wonderful Alupka Park, grounded in 1820 - one of the most known landscape parks in Ukraine. The park consists of the upper and the lower zones and has a large amount of landscape architecture..
Massandra Palace - the Palace of emperor Alexander III, built by design of French architect Bouchart on the slopes of the mountain ridge in the lonely place surrounded by the wood. The constraction started in 1881 under the order of the governor's heir, grand duke S.M.Vorontsov, but only after seven years since his death incompleted palace was bougth by emperor Alexander III and was finished in 3 years. In Soviet period this architectural monument was the closed object as Tsar's Palace, became the state cottage, where Communist party and government leaders stopped to rest. Nowadays the palace is opened for your visit.
Anton Chekhov came in Yalta for the first time in 1888 and 10 years later settled here for constant living. On the former outskirts of Autka he had bought a small lot, where by the project of architector Shapovalov in September 1899, building of the house was completed. Its national and harmonic volumes were conditioned by "modern" style. Plays: "The cherry garden", "Three sisters", the story "In the gully", and miscellaneous narratives, had been written by Chekhov here. Being guests of the authors Kuprin, Bunin, Gorkiy had been working on their productions, here came Levitan, Shaliapin, Rachmaninov and other agents of culture. In 1921 Chekhov's house was pronounced as museum and the author's sister Maria Pavlovna Chekhova, who had been living with him constantly, was appointed the Life keeper of the house. She managed to preserve the legacy of A.P. Chehov also in the time of the Nazi occupation.
Alexander Nevsky cathedral, that is situated at the opening of Kirov street in Yalta, resembles old Russian churches of the seventeenth century due to the grouping of its domes and rich decorative attire. The church was built in the late XIX century - early XX century to the design by architect Krasnov who designed Livadia Palace and Shapovalov, the interior trim was done after the sketch by Kroshechkin.
Dear Travelers,
If you have any questions re these destinations (attractions, transportation, currency etc) do not hesitate to post your questions. I `ll be glad to assist you
Sevastopol is one of the most beautiful cities of Ukraine, with a magnificent historic base. Sevastopol is situated in the southwest region of the Crimean peninsula, Ukraine and harbored on the Black Sea. For many years Sevastopol was quite closed military city to outside foreigners. But now it is open to all visitors, allowing the whole world to explore this region and Sevastopol particularly.
Located on the site of the ancient Greek colony, Chersonesus, the city itself and the Black Sea Fleet, based in Sevastopol, have occupied a prominent place in Russian and Ukrainian history.
The history is everywhere in this city: in our spectacular streets and squares, landscapes, picturesque harbors, admirable monuments and historical museum.
Sevastopol is also the largest commercial and fishing Black Sea port of Ukraine and one of the major industrial, scientific and cultural centers of our country and the Eastern Europe in general.
The population of Sevastopol is 400.000.
Official languages is Ukrainian only but spoken Russian.
There are four theaters, eleven arts and entertainment centers, ten museums, numerous libraries, including the Navy Library of the Black Sea Fleet, four stadiums, three yacht clubs in Sevastopol.
The whole city is a big museum, with great amount of monuments and memorials.
Sevastopol is annually visited by more then 500.000 tourists.
Sevastopol. It has long since been known all over the world as the city of the Russian naval glory as a firm stronghold in the South of Russia. Its name which translated from the Greek means "majestic", "worthy of admiration" has been justified by the whole more than two-century-long hictory of the city.
In remote times on the southern tip of the peninsula washed by the warm waters of the Black Sea there were Greek colonies that left on this land magnificent specimens of sublime Hellenic culture.
Numerous monuments of that period which have survived to this day have been gathered at the Chersonesus History and Archaeology Preserve, a museum of specific type, one of the few in the country.
Centuries passed by, tribes and kingdoms replaced one another on this blessed land abounding in picturesque and convenient bays. On the shores of one of them - the Bakhtiarskaya Bay in 1787 Sevastopol arose, founded by the Russian sailors as a naval fortress with hope and firm belief that from that time on Russia's southern frontiers would be protected from the encroachments of the Empire's enemies.
The history of Sevastopol inseparably connected with
that of the Black Sea Fleet was being shaped out and enriched by the feats of the Russian sailors. It was no accident that the city's and Fleet's chronicle at the earliest period had to its credit the names of the illustrious Russian naval commanders - F. F. Ushakov, M. P. Lazarev, V. A. Kornilov, P. S. Nakhimov. It was no accident either that the first monument to be set up in Sevastopol was that to military valour —the feat of the small Russian brig "Mercury". On May 14, 1829, the crew of the brig under Lieutenant-Captain A. I. Kazarsky won unexampled victory over two large well-armed Turkish ships. It was a model of heroism, adherence to the military duty, a lofty example to be followed in all times.
Today Sevastopol is rightfully called a city of monuments. There are more than 1,400 of them on the legendary soil of the Black Sea sailors' capatal. They stand on hills and at their feet, on the shores of the bays, in the city's streets and squares. This is a chronicle in stone that has immortalized unforgettable events, momentons not only in the history of Sevastopol but in that of the whole country: the Crimean War and Defence in 1854-1855, II World War...
The world came to know its name for the first time in the middle of the 19 century. The Anglo-French-Turkish troops having besieged Sevastopol tried for 349 days to break the resistance of its defenders. The Russian and foreign newspapers wrote with admiration that the defenders of Sevastopol both young and old had united in one impulse to hold out against the enemy attacks - a famous admiral, a sailor, a soldier - all were in the same ranks. Standing shoulder to shoulder with them were women and children. The world saw a remarkable example of mass heroism. The celebrated Panorama by Franz Rubo and many other monuments created for the 50th anniversary oi the First Defence immortalized this glorious milestone in Sevastopol's history.
The heroic defence of Sevastopol in 1941-1942 was destined to become one of the bright pages of the great battle our people fought for the honour and independance of the country, for the very existence of the Socialist system. Throughout 250 fiery days and nights the warriors of the Army and Navy, city's residents were accomplishing one uninterrupted feat containing the enemy at the approaches to Sevastopol, 300 thousand nazi men and officers were wiped out.
The country has called the Black Sea fortress a hero-city, the glory of Sevastopol became actually world-wide.
The legendary Sapun-Gora through which the way to the liberation of Sevastopol in 1944 lay has become the place of homage to the heroes. In the same year 1944 the first monuments to the Soviet warriors on this war-scorched land were erected, in 1959 the diorama showing the triumphant assault of the enemy fortifications was opened.
The effort of restoration was as great as the feat of arms: the city rose from the ruins and ashes built by the Sevastopolites with the aid of the young people from all the republics of our country. Present-day white-stoned Sevastopol has become more beautiful than it was before the war, it is a great deal larger and has- more amenities, its green attire has more luxerient.
The heart of glorious Sevastopol throbs ardently and youthfully. The city lies on the Black Sea coast as a brilliant chronicle of feats, inimitably beautiful, a symbol of valour and courage. Its monuments are unfading lines of this chronicle.
Panorama Museum
The unique museum was founded in 1905 at 50th anniversary of Sevastopol defence during Crimean War. The great walls are divided in two tiers, top from them is processed with 4-side columns and niches with bustes of heroes of defence. This building keeps outstanding masterpiece of it's kind, created by artist F.Rubo, a great(apprx. 1600 square meters) canvas depicted to the first Sevastopol assault during Crimean War. From the centre of Panorama find yourself at the top of Malakhov Kurgan and feel as a witness of that day events first plan with display of attack of Sevastopol in June 6, 1855.
Chersonesus ( Khersonesos )
The archeological museum was founded on the territory of the ancient city in 1892. Today the National Preserve of Tauric Chersonesos is an important academic and cultural institution.
The preserve occupies an area of about 500 hectares. The permanent exhibition of the museum is displayed in two buildings and separated according to period, the ancient and medieval.
Open-air archaeological structures include: the site of the ancient city of Chersonesos proper, and the medieval fortresses of Kalamita and Cembalo. The collection of the museum includes more than 200,000 exhibits, a great deal of which are unique in the world.
The goals of the museum include the research, maintenance, and exhibition of archaeological monuments. The various departments within the museum structure are divided into the following categories: ancient and medieval history, architecture and archaeology, academic research and education, site protection and investigation, funds, and conservation and restoration.
In addition, the archive and library maintain extensive holdings. All departments are staffed with highly qualified and enthusiastic specialists. Six members of the staff hold doctorates in science (kandydaty nauk), and 10 others are PhD candidates. The general director of the Preserve, Leonid Vasil'evich Marchenko, holds the title of honored figure of culture of Ukraine in addition to his doctorate in history (kandydat). The unique character of Chersonesos and its staff of highly qualified professionals have made the Preserve a base for student internships. During the 2000 excavation season, students of leading institutions of higher learning from Ukraine (Khar'kiv University, Kyiv-Mohyla Academy) and Russia (Moscow State University, St. Petersburg State University) and carried out their required internships in Chersonesos.
In recent years interest in Chersonesos on the part of specialists from farther afield has increased considerably. Studies on Chersonesos appear frequently in foreign scholarly journals; international conferences feature papers on the subject. There are a number of joint excavations at work in Chersonesos.
Russian Black Sea fleet museum
One of the oldest naval museums of the country, opened in 1869. Unique exhibits, personal things and weapons of such great commanders as P.S. Nahimov, V.A. Kornilov, V.I. Istomin, Pirogov’s medical tools and many other things that tell us about famous fights of the Black Sea Fleet
On the edge of modern Sevastopol peacefully located ancient Balaclava, so many times changing it`s name. Life of this small town closely conneted with it`s amazingly curved bay, which narrow throat, surrounded by cliffs. Balaclava bay - is a wonderful place for mooring, it`s covered by nature from winds and enemy`s invasion from sea and land. This fact defined iterest to Balaclava from anceint times. Ancient Greek wrighters mentioned Sumbolon limneh( bay of symbols), Romans built here supplying base for their legions to defend interests of Empire in Taurika. Remainigs of Jupiter Dolikhen`s temple, errected by Roman legionnaires, that were founded on the northern edge of Balaclava proofs this. Georgeous ruins of towers and walls of Genoese fortress silently looking from the Kastron mountain on life of modern Balaclava. In the second half of century Genoese, using the weakness of Byzantine Empire invaded at Black Sea and founded several well developed colonies in order to maintain their power in such perspective Black Sea market and in order to control one of important ways of transcontinental trade between East and West. The main role in expension of Genoa into Northern coast of Black Sea region played their fortress Kafa ( modern Feodosia). Fortress controled part of Crimean coast from Ay-Ya cape to Kalamita bay and farther to river Chernaya (Black). Permanent political tension at Black Sea region forced citizens to spent a lot of money on fortifications of Chembalo. On Italian`s opinion, life among orthodox christians, armenians, jews and benighted tartars was closely connected with huge risk. At Statute for Genoese colonies at Black Sea, dated from 1449 A.D. stated that there was a garrison of 40 warriors. Nevertheles they failed to hold pressure of Osmans during the sultanate of Mekhmed II Fatikh (The Conqueror). After the fall of Constantinople at 1483 A.D. Genoa was forced to confess turkish dominance at Black Sea and had to pay tax to Sultan. Turks renamed fortress and settlement to Balyk-Uve(fish nest) or from other sourses Balyk-Kaya(fish rock). During the Crimean War (1854-1856) by order of Sardinian general Lamarmor some wrightings were broken out of towers as a trophy and taken out to Italy. Excavations continue nowdays and hope bring us new facts of Balaclava past.
ATTRACTIONS
Balaclava Submarine Secret Base
Submarine Secret Base or "Object 825 GTS" - underground plant for submarines' reparing and exquipping started in 1957 and finished in 1961. Hollowed out in a rock and covered by 56m of reinforced concrete, submarine Base represented combined underground water channel with a dry dock, reparing workshops, torpedoes and other weapon stores. To enter the open sea there was an exit in the North side of the mountain. In a case of direct nuclear attack the object could resist a direct hit till 100 kilotones power - thick waterproof doors could be closed and the plant was able to exist autonomously for 3 years, consisiting 3000 people - the whole population of Balaclava. The total length of the tonnel is 500m, the length of gallery where the main workshops were located - 300m, the length of chanel - 360m, the width 12 m and depth - not less 7 m. In the gallery 7 standart submarines could be located.
Chembalo Fortress
Remains of medieval Genoa fortress Chembalo tower on East cape (Serf mountain) are above the entrance to Balaclavskaya bay. It was built by genoeses in the first half of XIV century. The Crimean khan has concluded the peace treaty with genoeses in 1380. It has recognized behind them the right of possession of a fortress. From now on it began to be called in Genoa documents Chembalo. In 1433 the fortress has been seized by Mangup princedom (Feodoro), but in June of the next year the Genoa squadron under the command of Karlo Lomelino with a six-thousand soldiers army has approached Balaclava bay and after a fierce battle has exempted Chembalo. In summer 1475 Chembalo, as well as other Genoa colonies in Crimea, were grasped by Turks. Now on Serf mountain we can see the remains of defensive and retaining walls and four towers.
Actually I tried to find the name "Bakhchisaray" when I was starting to make this page but i couldn't. What it means? it means that a very few people know about this small spot of Medieval Heritage of not only the Crimea and Ukraine, but all the Islamic Word! it's a pity. That's why Iill try to tell you some about this town. Bahchysaray means the "palace of gardens" (tatar). It was a capital of the Crimean Khanate (XV-XVIII). When the Crimea was absorbed by Russia, Bahchysaray became a standard provincial town. Now, Bahchysaray is popular town of more than 30,000, and is centered in the large agricultural region of the Crimea. Bahchysaray is the town of excursions. The main tourist attraction is Khan's Palace. This is a "must see" for any visitor to the Crimea. Although this city is growing in population, the old portion of the city is most interesting for tourists. This old part of the Bahchysaray has retained a medieval atmosphere with it's narrow and curved streets, as well as many other medieval attributes, including Khan's Palace. The people here are really friendly. The Town is settled by tatars mostly which will provide you a room in their houses with great pleasure. Bakhchisaray is small and you can get almost everywhere on foot. You can get the town from Simferopol by bus and train (about 40 minutes by bus and 1,5 hour by train) and from Sevastopol - the same ways. Also you can get here from Kiev by train - about 10 hours.
ATTRACTIONS
Bakhchisaray ( Khan's ) Palace
- situated on the left bank of the Churuksu River and occupies territory of 4 hectares. Enjoy numerous buildings and sights which represent the unique ensemble, created by Italian, Persian, Turkish, Ukrainian and Russian masters in XVI-XVIII centuries, and telling about historical events of Crimea in the Middle Ages. Khan Palace is a whole town in miniature. It's a complex of buildings of every different purpose. Till now there remain two mosques, a house of mufti, a khan's cemetery with two mausoleums-durbe, edifices of official function, lovong quarters of khan, servants and guests, a harem, two over-gate and survey towers, kitchen yard, bath-houses, a stable and 14 wonderful fountains of different periods.
Uspensky Cave Monastery
supposed to be built at the end of the VIII - beginning of the IX centuries and consider as one of the oldest in Crimea. It's foundation connected with appearence of icon-admirers - monks and seculars, who escaped the Byzantine icon fighters' prosecutions after the ecclesiastical Council in 754 A.D.. After the peninsula seizure by the Golden Horde inhabitants, most of the monasteries stopped their existence. Uspensky monastery was preserved, and since the XV century it had become the Crimean center of the Orthodox. It had been existing till 1778. When the bulk of the Christian population had been resettled by the Russian Government, the monastery became deserted. Since 1850 the gradual revival of Crimean Christian monasteries began; after the restoration, the Orthodox Uspensky convent was opened. During the Crimean war the hospital was settled in it and till now graves of the Sevastopol defence participants lying at the ancient monastery cemetery. In 1921 the monastery was closed by Bolsheviks, and little by little it had fallen into a state of neglection and began to collapse. Over the past years the main monastery church has been partly restored named after The Virgin Mary Assumption, and in 1993 the male monastery was opened here.
Eski-Kermen
is one of the big Crimean cave-towns. Now it is neglected and mute, but in the Middle Ages it was taking dominant position in economic life of nearby settlements, it was the big center of trade and handicrafts. Eski-Kermen is founded on the plateau which was difficult to access at the beginning of the 6 century by scyth-sarmats probably. In translation from tatar language it means "Old Fortress". Eski-Kermen was well fortified. Defensive walls made from big lime-stone blocks of 2m wide and 3,5m of height were stretching above the precipices. Towers-casemates were carved in rocks or made with stone. In case of siege the deep well on 70 cubic metres of water was cut. The most part of precipice territory was not built as a reserve of protected area and refuge for the inhabitants of valley in case of war danger. Dwelling town was taking 10 hectares area and almost everywhere was built with two-stored houses covered with tile. The ground floor with cellars cut in the rock served for economical needs, the first dwelling floor was wooden and with balconies as a rule. The town had water-pipe made from potter's pipes bringing water from springs of neighbouring hill beyond 4 kilometres; several cult constructions, necropolis. Eski-Kermen slopes are cut by caves. There are about 350 caves that mainly dated from XII-XIII cc. The caves served as housing for livestock, craft-work shops, grave press-houses and reservoirs for grape juice. There was a lot of hard trials in fortune of fortress. In the 8c the first destroy of Eski-Kermen happened. At the end of the 13c the town stopped existing finally: in 1299 it was burnt by Nogay hordes...
Chufut-Kale
One of the contemporary of A.S.Pushkin called Chufut-Kale "Airy town". It seems as if houses and serf walls of this medieval town are sticked to a inaccessible bluff rock likewise aquiline nests. The rock is situated on the plateau of the mountain offshoot, dominated over the three deep valleys. The nature prepared an inaccessible constructive stand, but the human being created the town on it. The fortifications amplified a natural protection. In XIII century fortress was inhabited with Alans who considered to be the most powerful tribe of iranian origin. However, tartar troops of Golden Horde conquered the fortress. Men-warriors, as usual, were killed and the last population was slaved. Tartars overruned the town, and allocated a garrison in it and called it 'Kirk-Or' ('40 fortifications'). The first Crimean knan Hadji-Girey in XV c. invalued the fortress with great dignity. He turned it into his fortified residency and created a dependable shelter in a period of fighting khans with Golden Horde for their independence. After Crimean Knans migrated to a new capital - Bakhchisaray, Kirk-Or was a citadel of the capital and a prison of the famous captives: Lithuanian ambassador Lez, polish hetman Potozkiy, a favourite of Ivan-the-Terrible - Vasiliy Griaznoy. Russian ambassadors, Vasiliy Aytemirov and a prince Romodanovskiy spent 3 years in the khan's prison, one of the favourites of the Tsar, a russian voivode, Vasiliy Sheremetyev was forced to spent 21 years in a dungeon. During this time 4 Khans were replaced in Bakhchisaray. In the middle of XVII c. tartars left Kirk-Or. Only Karaimes stayed there. Tartars considered them to be jewry. Since that time they began to call the town Chufut-Kale that means 'Jewish Fortress'. Karaimes lived there more than 2 centuries. Since that time Chufut-Kale became deserted. Population left the severe plateu and migrated to Bahchisarai, Simferopol, Yevpatoria. In 1852 last inhabitants quited Chufut-Kale.
Archaeology Museum
Odessa Archaeology museum is one of the oldest museums not only in Ukraine but also in the whole ex-USSR, was founded in 1825. Now collection exceeds over 160 thousands of exhibits, being one of the biggest collections of materials and artifacts on northern Black Sea region history. Entering into the first exhibition hall of the museum you will find paths left by Greek colonists in Odessa and at the whole northern Black Sea region. Next halls dedicated to the culture of Scyths and Sarmaths tribes settled steppes of Black Sea region. Museum has its Golden Treasury room (one of three in Ukraine). The Golden Treasury of the Archaeology museum includes collection of gold belongings excavated from the Scythian and Sarmathian tombs, also there are gold and silver coins of ancient Greece and Rome, Byzantine and Russian empires etc.
Local Lore Museum
Museum, neibouring with city garden, located at house that was build in 1876 for well-known Odessa merchant Alexander Novikov. The first exposition opened in August 1944, was "Odessa heroic defence", dedicated to the resistance of Odessa citizens to Nazi during WWII(later this exposition was moved to republican museum of Odessa defence). The actual Local Lore museum was opened on May the 6th, 1956.
Tolstoy Palace
The architectural complex constructed in 1832 by the project of architect Boffo for nobleman count Tolstoy. The case with a facade was made in baroque style with furnished fretworks by ornaments. The White Hall, Silk Lounge and Marble Lounge(where by legend played Franz Liszt), Nut-tree reception room will charm you with its original furniture and rich decoration. In 1887 the architectural complex was complemented by picture gallery(Green hall) designed by the Viennese architects Felner and Ghelmer(the same architects who designed Opera House ). Up to 1934 palace accommodated Fund of gallery of Russian painting of the Odessa art museum. Tolstoy family left great sign in the history of Odessa by their social and wide philanthropic activity. Countess is for life honor member of city board of guardians of orphanage. the member of philantropic society of assistance to the poor andpatronage on homeless children. Count M M Tolstoy, the son of countess - court councelor, chamberlain, and memeber of seven municipal Duma commisions about health protection, public education and culture. During 22 years count Tolstoy was guardian of the public Library, which was built on his account (now it is odessa state scientist library) the honor citizen of Odessa. Count Toltoy with his wife were initiators and organizers of foundation of the first in Russia Medical Emergency Service.
Literature Museum
The building was constructed by design of architect Otton in the middle of XIX for nobleman prince Gagarin, one of the first citizens of Odessa. Classicism, baroque and ampir styles found their reflextion in the interiors of the palace. Each of twenty halls decorated in its own specific style tipical for certain period of literature it dedicated to. Rich decorations of Golden hall - the gala hall of the museum, will not leave you untouched. Famouse Hungarian virtuoso pianist and composer Franz Liszt perfored here, as historians stated. This is the place where declaimed Vladimir (Zeev) Zhabotinski, the future ideologist of Israel state creation.
Western & Oriental Art Museum ( Abaza Palace )
Building constructed under project of architect Otton, in 1920 became this unique museum. Carrara marbel staircase leading from the lobby to the originaly decorated interiors with the unique works of artists among which are real masterpieces. Twenty three halls accommodate antique, western-european and oriental departmets. Odessa Western and Oriental Arts museum has one of the richest collections at Ukraine, among its exhibits are works of Frans Hals, Caravaggio, Strozzi, Magnasco, percelain from the best european factories of XVIII - XX cc with sculptures and ceramics from Iran, Tibet, China and Japan.
Fine Arts Museum
Museum was opened at a house of prince Pototsky in 1899. The beginning of the museum started from collection of canvases given by Saint-Petersburg Academy of Arts. Twenty six halls store wide range of fine arts : paintings, graphics, sculptures and decoration art, including special room provided for exhibition of Russian and Ukrainian iconographers' works of XVI - XVII. Among it's collection - works of famous artists Ayvazovsky, Levitan, Repin, Surikov, Shishkin. One of the best of it parts represented by canvases of XIX and XX ceturies Kandinsky, Benois, Kustodiev, Serov, Vrubel, Roerich. Also under museum there is an artificial grotto where classical music performances take place.
You've done a wonderful job on this thread! I wish we had as much information on other places!
Thank you for taking the time to let us know as much about Crimea as possible. I hope next year is peaceful and that my husband and I will be able to travel there.
Cruise Line Fans: Cruise Reviews and Chat From Real Cruisers
-
Centrum Deck
-
Cruise Places
-
Other
-
Crimean ports of call (Yalta, Sevastopol) + Odessa)
#
Livadia Palace
Vorontsov Palace
#
Linear Mode
