Once closed for tourists, Sevastopol - the second biggest Crimean city, started welcoming guests shortly after the Soviet Union break up. Located in a unique harbor, it was bound to become a navy base. The history of the city starts with the foundation of a Greek colony Chersonesus in 422 BC. Since then the city has been playing the key part in history and the development of the Crimea and the whole country. It is called the cradle of Russian Christianity as the place where Prince Vladimir was first of Russian rulers to adopt christianity and from where the religion spread to Russian lands. After the decline of Chersonesus the area was not densly populated until Sevastopol was founded in 1783 as a naval base and fortress on the southern boundaries of the Russian Empire. Most of the city's history is linked to its military glory, the very name Sevastopol translated from Greek means 'magnificent, glorious'. The name seems justified, the city having survived two prolonged attacks during the Crimean War of 1854-1855 and World War II. The city was twice destroyed and twice rose from the ashes.
Sevastopol Attractions
Panorama ( Heroic Sevastopol Defence ) Museum
The unique museum was founded in 1905 at 50 th 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.
Malakhov Kurgan ( Barrow )
Twice this barrow became the cockpit: during the Crimean War and the WW II.
At the days of the Crimean War the main bastion was built here. In 1855 this bastion was armed by 9 batteries with 76 guns and was under the command of rear-admiral Istomin.
On 5 October 1854 the vice-admiral Kornilov was wounded deadly on the barrow.
On 28 June 1855 admiral Nakhimov was wounded seriously and died here.
On 24 August the enemy started the 6th and the most powerful bombing of
Sevastopol. Day and night 110 guns bombed it.
On 27 August 9600 French soldiers started an assault of the borrow where were only 880 defenders. The Bastion was captured.
Soldiers, died in the last battle - French and Russia ones - were buried in a communal grave, where the memorial was established.
In a period of Sevastopol Defense 1941-1942 the famous borrow took its stand in a line again. Two days soldiers kept the defensive position. In 1958 to the memory of their feat of arms the memorial complex was created: a command post, two ammunition depots and those 130 mm guns they used.
Vladimirsky Cathedral
The monumental building of the cathedral, built in Byzantine style, is dear to every Sevastopol citizen. Here found their last refuge the admirals whose names are proud and glory of our country.
In 1851 on the spot of the future cathedral in a specially built crypt, admiral Lazarev was buried.
During the Crimean War three famous Russian admirals (Kornilov, Istomin and Nakhimov) were buried in that crypt as well.
Located in the lower church of the cathedral, the burials are united by the general headstone in the form of black
marble cross. Altogether there are 11 burials in the lower church.
Chersonesus ( Khersonesos ) National Preserve
A city with almost two thousand years history was founded in 442-421 B.C. by inhabitants of the other Greek colony - Heraclea.
Within a century Chersonesus, a slave-holding republic with the democratic form of
ruling, turned into one of the biggest - the City-State of the Northern Black Sea Region. Its population has reached
20 thousand people.
Since the 5th century A.D. Chersonesus had been a part of Byzantine Empire. In 988 the city was conquered by Prince Vladimir. Here Vladimir has adopted Christianity. At the end of the XII-XIV century
Chersonesus suffered from the Tatar Hordes attacks twice. In the middle of the XV century the city stopped existing.
While visiting the preserve you can see the ruins of an antique theatre - the only one in our country, - the city blocks, an area of defensive walls with the Zenone Tower and many more.
Scuttled Ships Monument
During Sevastopol defence by the entrance of Northern bay in the 1854 and 1855 years Russian sail ships were sank, "to
protect the entrance from enemy vessels on raid and by this to rescue Sevastopol" (Nakhimov). In memory about it on to
project of sculptor Adamson, architect Feldman and engineer Enberg in 1905 not far from past Nikolayev battery was created
the monument. On underwater basis the square platform with 9 - side is delivered on which the plinth is organized. From its
raw granite blocks stands the eight-sided pedestal, where placed slender korinph column, headed with bronze statue of eagle
with outstretched wings and wreath of Glory. The height of monument - 16,6 m.
Russian Black Sea Fleet Museum
The museum of Sevastopol defence was found in General Totleben's house in 1869. The building was finished in 1895
according to the project of the architect Kochetov. Design and plastic arts of smart architectural forms were cast over by
ancient works. Cast-iron pyramidal compositions consisting of military attributes stand out against a back-ground of
snow-white walls. On both sides of a staircase on pedestals pillars with lamps tower up. All stucco mouldings and castings
are made by the sculptor Edwards.
