The city of Balaklava in the Crimea is a district of Sevastopol, whose history goes back more than two and a half thousand years. Despite the fact that it is a small town, many people around the world know it. This name is given to streets and metro stations in Europe and America. This land keeps the secrets of civilizations, and many times it was on it that the fate of entire nations was decided. Each of the nationalities living on this land has left its mark on it. The Genoese - the fortress of Cembalo, the Turks - the name of the bay, the British - the embankment and buildings.
This village was described by Homer in his Odyssey as the place of residence of listrigons, mythical giants. The description of the bay, like no other, fits the village of Balaklava (Crimea). Many myths of ancient Greece were born here. Roman legionnaires and Tatar nomads managed to leave their mark on the genotype of local residents. And the heroic deed of the Soviet soldiers glorified and forever left Balaklava and Sevastopol in the memory of their descendants. Balaklava (Crimea) received its real name, which translates as Balyk-Yuve (“fish nest”), in 1475, when it was captured by the Turks.
Invisible to enemies from the sea and full of fish, the harbor is a fertile place peopleappreciated immediately. Balaklava on the map of Crimea is a long and deep bay. Surrounded by rocks, since ancient times it has attracted people as a convenient place to live. Game was found in the forests, mountain streams provided spring water. The first inhabitants of this area, who left their mark on history, were warlike Taurians, then it passed to the Greeks. In the 14th century, the Genoese became the owners, who built the Cembalo fortress in 1357. And to this day, perfectly preserved, it serves as a hallmark of the city of Balaklava (Crimea).
Cembalo Fortress
The fortress has the shape of a quadrangle - impregnable walls on three sides, and a steep cliff on the fourth. It is documented that during the devastating earthquake of 1927 in the Crimea, when whole rocks collapsed, not a single stone broke off from the walls of Cembalo. She received the greatest damage during the Great Patriotic War.
Today you can take a walk to the Fortress Hill by climbing the stairs from the Nazukin embankment. The observation deck, which offers a magnificent view of the entire bay, will make you stop and fix the memorable places of the village (Crimea) Balaklava. The photos will be just amazing. If you decide to climb to the next towers, you will have to overcome quite steep climbs. But on the other hand, one can very well imagine how the defenders of the fortress climbed this road 700 years ago.
The Chembalo Fortress is currently a branch of the Tauric Chersonese Reserve. Excavations are currently underway throughout the area. Thanks to themit turned out that initially it was a two-level city: people lived in the lower one, the upper one was administrative. In the upper city, St. Nicholas, in a square 15-meter tower, there was a consul's castle, a temple and a town hall. There was even a water pipe from the neighboring mountain. In the lower city, in addition to houses with residents, there were merchants' shops, workshops and a shipyard. The city was well protected: in addition to high walls, the entrance to the bay was blocked by a huge chain stretched between towers.
When the fortress was captured by the Turks, it began to be used as a military garrison and a prison where objectionable Crimean khans were kept. 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 Balaklava
In the Crimean War, Balaklava became an English military base, and the embankment itself was built by the British. They laid the first railway and telegraph in the Crimea. It was then that they began to call the harbor "Little London". Before the revolution, the embankment was called so - English. During the time of Tsarist Russia, rich aristocrats, in particular princes Yusupov and Gagarin, built their summer cottages on it. 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 the 12 apostles, the oldest in the Crimea. This is evidenced by a tablet found during the reconstruction period. On it is the date of construction - 1357. The temple is majestic and simple at the same time - decorationonly columns serve.
Submarine Museum
Probably the most interesting attraction is the Submarine Museum (secret object No. 825), located on Marble Street, 1. As a museum, it began its work not so long ago - in 1995. Since 1950, Balaklava has been closed to the public even for residents of Sevastopol. Ukraine completely classified this bay during the Cold War. The information was available only to the top leadership of the state. It was the most important strategic object "Balaklava (Crimea)". Ukraine on the map for several decades simply did not show this village as a settlement.
This is a majestic building: a complex built in a rock cut through and concreted through, which has no analogues in the world: arsenals with weapons, workshops, lock chambers. Prior to that, it was the only underground submarine repair dock and at the same time a bomb shelter for the entire Balaklava in case of a third world war. Meter-thick steel doors were supposed to withstand the impact of a nuclear bomb. Crews of 9 (!) submarines and civilians of about 3 thousand people could hide here.
Submarines got inside through Mount Tavros, in which tunnels, workshops and an arsenal of weapons were cut down. The museum now offers a choice of walking tours and boat trips. Moreover, each is interesting in its own way, which means that you will have to visit the museum at least twice.
One more thing: compared to the scorching Sevastopol sun, the temperature inside is only 10-12 degrees. Therefore, when visiting the museum with children, be sure totake warm clothes with you. Separately, you can see the Sheremetyevs' exhibition dedicated to the Crimean War.
Cask of Death
On the southern coast of Balaklava, on Mount Asceti, a fort was built. Fortified ditches, casemates and gun platforms carved into the rock are not very well preserved, but the observation point for the sea coast, called the "Barrel of Death", is still a place of visiting tourists. An iron cylinder, fixed over a cliff at a height of 360 meters, is awe-inspiring. Previously, there were two such points, but the second collapsed into the sea. According to legend, it was in them that the Red Commissars were executed, hence the terrible name. How true the legend is is unknown, but there are indeed bullet marks on the walls.
Tract Ayazma
Mountains south of Balaklava are very picturesque: pine trees, juniper bushes that are several hundred years old, 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 blooming 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 will remember for a long time, especially those who come here for the first time. In the harbor itself there are two beaches - on the left and right side. On the left is the city beach withconcrete slabs, which is not difficult to get to for the bulk of vacationers. Close to the final stop of the scheduled bus.
On the opposite, right bank, there is a pebble beach equipped with pontoons and cafes. Getting there is more difficult: by car or by a long open bus.
But many people prefer to board a boat, a ship or a yacht and, leaving the bay into the open sea, head to one of the most beautiful beaches: Golden, Silver, Fig tracts, "The Lost World" or "Yashmovy" on Cape Fiolent, otherwise you can get to it only by breaking 800 steps.
Lots of fish that are absolutely not afraid of people, the purest clear water and almost 100% chance to see frolicking dolphins attract vacationers to the village (Crimea) of Balaklava. The beaches are a paradise for divers or beginners.
Cape Fiolent
Furious, or Tiger Cape - the westernmost point of the village of Balaklava (Crimea). Ukraine on the map of strategic objects also did not bypass it with its attention. Military units and reserved places - everything is here. Many nations have appreciated this wonderful territory and claim the historical name. According to legend, it was here that Iphigenia, the priestess of the Taurians, sacrificed foreigners to the local gods. 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 foundedSt. George's Monastery, famous for its picturesque location and historical significance. According to legend, Greek sailors were wrecked in the area, but were saved from death by Saint George. Having founded a cave church, they founded a monastery, which, with reconstructions, has survived to this day. The famous staircase with 800 steps descends past it, and every vacationer can draw holy water from the source on the territory and go further. According to tourists, the consecrated water is unusually tasty. Like a thousand years ago, the monastery still helps people today.
Black Prince Frigate
Another legend, exciting the minds of many generations. In November 1854, an unprecedented storm occurred in the vicinity of the village of Balaklava (Crimea), and those ships that did not have time to enter the harbor sank. Among them was the legendary frigate "Black Prince", carrying salaries for the entire English army. The treasure has not been found so far.
Balaclava hat
The famous woolen full-face mask with slits for the eyes, combining a hat and a mask at the same time, also comes from here. Now it is an indispensable attribute of special forces soldiers and extreme tourists. It was invented by the British during the Crimean War, when the winter was especially cold. This piece of clothing turned out to be so convenient that for almost 200 years it has not gone out of use. And although not all European residents will be able to show where Balaklava is located on the map, everyone knows the name of the headdress.
Residents of megacities can be found on the embankment and in the off-season - in autumn and spring. Wonderful walks and visits to many attractions will give tourists a lot of pleasure. And don't even expect to see everything in one day. Despite the small size of the harbor, it will take you a long time to get to know everything that Balaklava has to offer. Ukraine has taken custody of 46 historical monuments in the village, 21 of which are of national importance.
