Sevastopol is one of the most beautiful cities of Crimea, which went down in history thanks to the exploits of Russian sailors and ordinary residents, who always stood up to protect their native land. Although many of its historical and architectural monuments were repeatedly destroyed during the hostilities, they were restored in peacetime. Thanks to the efforts of the townspeople, today, as well as 150-160 years ago, guests of the city arriving from the sea are met by the Count's Quay. Sevastopol is proud of this attraction, photos of which adorn almost all tourist prospectuses.
History of the construction of the pier
The first boat berth in the area of modern Nakhimov Square was built in 1783. On the eve of the arrival of Empress Catherine II in Sevastopol, work on the improvement of the city was hastily carried out. Their result was, among other things, the replacement of the wooden steps of the pier with stone ones. By order of Prince Grigory Potemkin, the new main pier was named Catherine's.
After the departure of the Empress, I usually went therefrom his boat to the shore, Count M. Voinovich. At that time, this brave admiral served as commander-in-chief of the Russian Black Sea Fleet and lived on his farm on the North Side. Thus, the name "Count's Quay" stuck among the people, which continued to exist even in the Soviet period.
60 years after Catherine the Great visited the city, the authorities of Sevastopol decided that the city needed a main entrance from the sea.
To create a project for such a structure was entrusted to engineer-colonel John Upton. He submitted his work for approval in October 1844 and, having received approval, began the construction of the pier, which lasted about 2 years.
Count's Quay (Sevastopol): history before the start of the Second World War
Although the building was originally intended to decorate the city center, throughout its history it had to “fight” several times. So, in the days of the first defense of Sevastopol, by decision of the command of the Russian army, the bastions of the city were supplied with ammunition and food through the Count's Quay. She was even "wounded" like a real soldier. This event occurred at the end of August 1855, when an enemy rocket hit a gunpowder barge that was moored at the pier, causing an explosion and causing significant destruction.
Count's Quay (Sevastopol, address: Nakhimov Avenue, 4) witnessed sad events in the Russian Empire. For example, in November 1920, units of the Red Army, commanded by M. V. Frunze, broke intoPerekop area and moved to Sevastopol. Lieutenant General P. Wrangel, trying to avoid heavy casu alties among the military personnel of southern Russia, gave them the order to evacuate. Within a few days, up to 150,000 people left Crimea, including approximately 70,000 soldiers and officers.
In 1925, the Grafskaya Pier (Sevastopol) was renamed the Pier of the Third International.
During the Great Patriotic War
In the middle of autumn 1941, near the Grafskaya Pier there was an artillery firing position of the cruiser Chervona Ukraine. For 20 days, the ship fired on the enemy. It inflicted especially heavy damage on the enemy on November 11, when its guns suppressed 3 enemy batteries, smashed 18 armored personnel carriers and destroyed three companies of German soldiers. However, the following day, Luftwaffe planes dropped 6 bombs on the cruiser. The ship's damage control was unsuccessful and it sank.
Remembers the pier and the joyful day of May 9, 1944, when the Naval flag of the USSR was again hoisted over the colonnade of the Grafskaya pier.
In the postwar years
In the course of the restoration of the dilapidated city, the Count's Quay was also repaired. The staircase was reconstructed according to the project of V. Artyukhov and A. Mikhailenko, and in 1987-1988 the colonnade was restored. Sevastopol made it its main architectural symbol and business card, which was shown to guests with pleasure. Nothing has changed since then, exceptthat after the entry of Crimea into Russia, the number of tourists who want to see this mute evidence of the military exploits of their grandfathers has increased.
Sevastopol, Grafskaya pier: how to get there
Since this building is one of the main tourist attractions not only of the city, but of the entire Crimea, it is easily accessible by public transport. In particular, from the railway or bus station of Sevastopol, you can get to Grafskaya pier by using trolleybuses No. 1, 3, 7, 9 or fixed-route taxis No. 109, 110, 112, 4, 84 and proceeding to the Nakhimov Square stop.
Description
At the moment Grafskaya pier (Sevastopol) consists of a colonnade and stairs. John Upton took samples of ancient architecture as a basis, giving the building features of the classical style. In particular, the double colonnade is made according to the canons of the Doric order and forms propylaea. The columns carry an entablature topped with an attic. Convex figures indicating the date of construction are fixed on it. In front of the colonnade, a fairly wide front staircase made of Inkerman stone descends in 4 marches towards the sea. It is decorated with marble lions by sculptor Ferdinando Pellichio.
Commemorative plaques
Many fragments of the history of Grafskaya pier and Sevastopol are reflected on the memorial plates fixed on the territory of the building. They were installed in memory of the liberation of the city from the fascist invaders, as a reminder of the tragedy of those who were forced to leaveMotherland during the Civil War, in honor of the heroes-sailors of the cruiser "Chervona Ukraine" and others.
Architectural ensemble of Nakhimov Square
Count's pier is surrounded by many famous sights of the city of Sevastopol. In particular, it is part of the ensemble of Nakhimov Square, which is decorated with a monument to the famous admiral, the building of the Marine Station and the former Catherine Palace. There is also a Memorial to the heroes who defended Sevastopol during the Second World War, a memorial sign erected in honor of the city's bicentennial, and the Port and Navy berths.
Now you know the history of the famous landmark of the city of Sevastopol - the Count's Quay. This architectural monument is beautiful both in daylight and in the rays of decorative night illumination. Therefore, if you happen to visit this city of Russian military glory, be sure to go to Admiral Nakhimov Square. Then you can admire the magnificent view of the sea and passing ships, as well as take a couple of photos for memory and decoration of your travel album.
