Balaklava (Crimea): places of rest and reviews of tourists

The city of Balaklava in the Crimea is the region of Sevastopol, the history of which is more than two and a half thousand years. Despite the fact that it is a small town, a lot of people all over the world know it. This name refers to the streets and subway stations in Europe and America. This land keeps the secrets of civilizations, and many times it was on it that the destinies of entire nations were decided. Each of the nationalities living on this earth, left its mark on it. Genoese - the fortress of Cembalo, the Turks - the name of the bay, the British - the embankment and buildings.

It was this village that described Homer in his Odyssey as the home of listrigons, mythical giants. The description of the bay as no other approaches the village of Balaklava (Crimea). Many myths of Ancient Greece were born here. Roman legionaries and Tatar nomads managed to leave their mark in the genotype of local residents. And the heroic feat of the Soviet soldiers glorified and forever left Balaklava and Sevastopol in the memory of the descendants. Its real name, which translates as Balyk-Juve ("fish nest"), Balaklava (Crimea) received in 1475, when it was captured by the Turks.

Unnoticed for the enemies from the sea and a full harbor fish - this is a blessed place people appreciated immediately. Balaclava on the map of Crimea is a long and deep bay. Surrounded by rocks, since ancient times it has attracted a person as a convenient place to live. In the woods there was game, mountain streams gave spring water. The first inhabitants of this area, which left their mark on history, were belligerent brands, then it passed to the Greeks. In the 14th century, the Genoese built the fortress of Cembalo in 1357. And to the present, perfectly preserved, it serves as a visiting card of the city of Balaklava (Crimea).

Cembalo Fortress

The fortress has the shape of a quadrangle - on three sides unapproachable walls, with a fourth - a steep cliff. It is documented that during the devastating earthquake of 1927 in the Crimea, when entire rocks collapsed, not a stone broke off the walls of Cembalo. The biggest damage she received during the Great Patriotic War.

Today you can take a walk to the Fortress Hill, rising from the embankment of Nazukin on the stairs. The viewing platform, which offers a magnificent view of the whole bay, will make it stop and fix the memorable places of the village (Crimea) of Balaklava. Photos will be just wonderful. If you decide to climb to the next tower, you will have to overcome steep climbs. But it is very good to imagine how the defenders of the fortress rose along such a road 700 years ago.

The fortress of Cembalo is now a branch of the reserve "Chersonese Taurian". Now excavations are underway in the whole territory. Thanks to them it was found out that initially it was a two-level city: in the lower one people lived, the upper one was administrative. In the upper city, St. Nicholas, in a square 15-meter tower, was the castle of the consul, the temple and the town hall. There was even a water pipe from the neighboring mountain. In the lower town, except for houses with residents, there were shops of merchants, workshops and a shipyard. The city was well protected: in addition to the high walls, the entrance to the bay was blocked by a huge chain stretched between the towers.

When the fortress was captured by the Turks, it was used as a military garrison and a prison, where they held undesirable Crimean khans. After the annexation of Crimea to Russia, the fortress was no longer used. During the Crimean and Great Patriotic Wars, the walls served as defensive structures.

Embankment in Balaclava

In the Crimean War Balaklava became an English military base, and the quay itself was built by the British. They laid the first railway in the Crimea, telegraph. It was then that the harbor was called "Little London". Before the revolution, the embankment was called - English. During the time of tsarist Russia, rich aristocrats built their dachas on it, in particular princes Yusupov and Gagarin. Some of the buildings have survived to this day.

The oldest fortress

In the village of Balaklava (Crimea), on Rubtsova Street, 43, there is a medieval church of 12 apostles, the oldest in the Crimea. This is evidenced by a sign found during the reconstruction. On it is the date of the beginning of construction - 1357 year. The temple is majestic and simple at the same time - only columns serve as decoration.

Submarine Museum

Perhaps the most interesting attraction is the Submarine Museum (secret facility No. 825), located on Mramornaya Street, 1. As a museum, it began its work not so long ago - in 1995. Since 1950, Balaklava was closed to visitors even to the inhabitants of Sevastopol. Ukraine completely closed this bay during the Cold War. The information was available only to the highest leadership of the state. It was the most important strategic object of "Balaklava (Crimea)". Ukraine on the map for several decades simply did not show this village as a settlement.

It is a majestic structure: a complex that has no analogs in the world is built in a carved and concreted rock through the mountains: arsenals with weapons, workshops, lock chambers. Before that, it was the only underground dock for the repair of submarines and at the same time an air raid shelter for the entire Balaklava in the event of a third world war. The thickness of the steel doors was to withstand the impact of a nuclear bomb. Here could hide with the crews of 9 (!) Submarines and civilians numbering about 3 thousand people.

The submarines got inside through the Tavros mountain, in which tunnels, workshops and arsenal of weapons were cut down. Now the museum offers a pedestrian excursion and a boat trip. And each is interesting in its own way, which means that you will have to visit the museum at least twice.

One more trifle: in comparison with the scorching Sevastopol sun, inside the temperature only 10-12 degrees. Therefore, when visiting a museum with children, be sure to bring warm clothes. Separately, you can see the exhibition Sheremetyev, dedicated to the Crimean War.

A barrel of death

On the southern shore of Balaklava, on Mount Asceti, a fort was built. Fortified ditches, casemates and gun platforms, carved into the rock, have not been preserved very well, but the point of observation over the seacoast, called the "Barrel of Death", is still a place of visiting tourists. The iron cylinder, fixed above the precipice at an altitude of 360 meters, causes awe. Previously, there were two such items, but the second collapsed into the sea. According to legend, it was in them executed the Red Commissars, hence the terrible name. How true the legend is, it is not known, but on the walls there are really traces of bullets.

The tract of Ayazma

The mountains to the south of Balaklava are very picturesque: pine trees, juniper bushes, which for several hundred years, wild pistachio trees mixed with healing mountain air, infused with the scents of flowers and herbs. It is amazingly beautiful here in May, when bright peonies are added to all this blossoming splendor. Rocky cliffs and miniature coves stretch along the entire coast.

Balaklava beaches

This bay provides many opportunities for summer holidays. A variety of beaches, each of which is good in its own way, is ready to offer you Balaklava (Crimea). Rest you remember for a long time, especially those who come here for the first time. In the harbor are two beaches - on the left and right side. To the left is a city beach with concrete slabs, which is easy to get on to the bulk of holidaymakers. Near the final stop of the shuttle bus.

On the opposite, right bank, there is a pebble beach, equipped with pontoons and a cafe. To get there is more difficult: by car or by a long open bus.

But many people prefer to board a boat, ship or yacht, and, leaving the bay to the open sea, go to one of the most beautiful beaches: the Golden, the Silver, the Forks, the Lost World, or the Jasper at Cape Fiolent, otherwise get on You can only overcome 800 steps.

A lot of fish that are absolutely not afraid of people, clear clear water and almost 100% chance to see frolicking dolphins attract tourists to the village (Crimea) of Balaklava. Beaches are a paradise for divers or novice divers.

Cape Fiolent

Frenzied, or Tiger, cape - the most western point of the village of Balaklava (Crimea). Ukraine on the map of strategic facilities also did not pass it by its attention. Military units and reserved places - everything is here. Many nations appreciated this remarkable territory and claim the historical name. According to legend, it was here that Iphigenia, the priestess of the Taurians, sacrificed foreign gods to foreigners. The ancient Greeks called this place "God's country" and built the legendary temple of Artemis.

The first Christians lived in the surrounding caves from time immemorial, and in 891 founded the St. George Monastery, famous for its picturesque location and historical significance. According to legend, Greek sailors were wrecked in this area, but were saved from the death of St. George. Having founded a cave church, they laid a monastery, which with reconstructions has survived to our days. A famous staircase with 800 steps descends downhill, and each holiday-maker can collect holy water at the source in the territory and go on. According to tourists, the consecrated water is unusually tasty. Like a thousand years ago, the monastery still helps people today.

Frigate "The Black Prince"

Another legend, stirring the minds of many generations. In November 1854, in the vicinity of the village of Balaklava (Crimea), an unprecedented storm occurred, and those ships that did not have time to enter the harbor sunk. Among them was the legendary frigate Black Prince, carrying a salary for the entire British army. Treasures are not found until now.

The cap of "Balaklava"

The famous wool mask on the whole face with slits for the eyes, which combines both the cap and the mask, is also from here. Now it is an indispensable attribute of fighters of special forces and extreme tourists. It was invented by the British during the Crimean War, when the winter was particularly cold. This garment was so convenient that for almost 200 years now it has not gone out of use. And although not all European residents can show where Balaklava is on the map, everyone knows the name of the headdress.

Residents of megacities can be found on the waterfront and in the offseason - in the autumn and in the spring. Wonderful walks and visits to many attractions will give tourists a lot of fun. And do not even expect to see everything in one day. Despite the small size of the harbor, you will need a lot of time to get acquainted with everything that Balaklava has to offer. Ukraine took care of 46 historical monuments in the village, of which 21 are state-owned.