Fort Shevchenko is located in Kazakhstan, four kilometers from the Caspian Sea. This is one of the major cities of the Mangistau region, which is located on the Mangyshlak peninsula. The territory is adjacent to the coast of the Caspian Sea. The name of the peninsula is translated as "a thousand villages", one of which is the modern city of Fort Shevchenko.
Today the city has the port of Bautino on the coast of the Caspian Sea. For a long time local airports worked. They received light aircraft and helicopters. Now they are abandoned and used as emergency sites. The city is now accessible by car and water.
A bit of history
The first mention of the city dates back to the middle of the 19th century. Historical documents speak of the military fortification of Novopetrovsk, which was later renamed Fort Aleksandrovsky, which performed a protective function. His purpose was to protect the Russians from nomadic raids. T. G. served here. Shevchenko, after whom Fort Shevchenko was named in 1939.
Archives give a description of the settlement. The building consisted of four powerful bastions, two similar semi-bastions enclosing the outer shaft, and a stone notch. All together it looked veryimpressively and forced the enemy to retreat.
The city was in the center of the Silk Road. It has always attracted many travelers.
What to eat in the city?
Today, Fort Shevchenko is known as a port city, not far from which there is a fishing base and a fish cannery that processes varieties such as stellate sturgeon and sturgeon. There are also the remains of a fortress, a museum of local lore, a museum of T. G. Shevchenko, ethnographic museum, monument to Shevchenko, Armenian chapel, mass grave of the heroes of the Civil War.
Also here, almost on the seashore, shell rock mining is based. It is white-white, and the water casts blue. A very beautiful sight. Whoever visits Fort Shevchenko should definitely visit the shore and admire.
The holidays of the First and Ninth of May, as well as Nauryz are widely celebrated in the city.
Nuaryz is a holiday of spring renewal, when residents put their houses in order, plant trees and flowers.
The architectural complex of the 16th-20th centuries is located nearby, as well as the Beisenbai necropolis of the 17th-19th centuries.
Many tourists visit Fort Shevchenko every year. The sights of the city allow guests to plunge into the atmosphere of past centuries when visiting.
So remarkable is the ancient well that exists in the city and clearly shows how the water supply was organized in the past.
Museum
Interesting museum of T. G. Shevchenko, who is already one hundred and fifty years old. The complex is locatedNovopetrovsk Garden. The main exposition is located in the hall of the commandant's house. Shevchenko was exiled here for writing "daring" poetry and spent eight years here. The museum has documents that tell about the performance of household work by Shevchenko's soldier. It was through his efforts that the city became a beautiful park, where even the willow brought by the poet was planted. For many years, the locals cherished it as a relic. Also on the territory of the museum complex is a monument to Shevchenko.
Mosque
There is a White Mosque in the city with a crescent moon visible from afar. This is the oldest building. In fact, it is now destroyed. At one time this building was both a warehouse and a cinema.
There was an Orthodox church in the city, but not so long ago it burned down.
Necropolis
Separately, it must be said about the necropolis of Fort Shevchenko. This is an old soldier's cemetery with gravestones made of shell rock. There are also many children's graves here - the climate for the colonists was not easy. A chapel rises in the center of the cemetery. In the old part of the cemetery there are tombstones signed in Hebrew.
Classes for active people
Residents of the city are actively involved in sports. Here are developed activities such as ballroom dancing, cycling, boxing, chess clubs, table tennis, skiing.
On the outskirts of the city there is a very interesting building with arched windows. This is a children's and youth sports school. And originally there was an officer's meeting. The city also hosts regional boxing competitions.
Chapel
Another attraction of the city that you should see is a white-walled Armenian chapel made of stone behind a wrought-iron fence at the foot of Kurgan-tash. Before, the Armenians were part of the merchants in Fort Shevchenko, and the tombstones also speak of this. It was set up in the 19th century by Astrakhan merchants. Today it is only a monument of architecture with the silence characteristic of abandoned altars inside.
Where to rest and settle if you come to Fort Shevchenko?
Recreation can be offered by the Chagala Group hotel (Bautino). Oil companies often stop here. Comfort and warmth are guaranteed here on the shores of the Caspian Sea. Travelers are waiting for a varied cuisine in a local restaurant, high-quality service, friendly staff. The hotel will delight its guests with a gym and sauna, its own small beach.
You can also stay at the ecotourist guest house in Shetpe. Here you will be able not only to have a good rest, but also to see with your own eyes small business in the countryside in the field of tourism. This is an ordinary residential building in which several rooms have been converted to receive guests. The family living in the house offers tourists a dinner consisting of national dishes, and in the evening you can hear the dombra playing or stories about the life and culture of the Kazakhs.
Festivals
The city of Fort Shevchenko in Kazakhstan is also interesting because many festivals are held here. Tourists will be interested in visiting them.
The most entertaining, perhaps, will be the festival dedicated to T. G. Shevchenko. In the city and nowrespect for the memory of the famous writer is preserved. This is evidenced by the exposition of the memorial museum and the monument erected to the author.
Another festival of contemporary music that gathers a large number of people.
Conclusion
Fort Shevchenko is one of the most interesting cities in Kazakhstan with ancient history, architectural monuments, modern holidays. Tourists are happy to rest here, on the shores of the Caspian Sea.
