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Sevastopol Ukraine Information
Sevastopol (Ukrainian: Севастополь, Russian: Севастополь, Crimean Tatar: Aqyar) is a port city in Ukraine, located on the Black Sea coast of the Crimea peninsula. It has a population of 342,451 (2001). The city, formerly the home of the Soviet Black Sea Fleet, is now home to a Ukrainian naval base and facilities leased by the Russian Navy and used as the headquarters of both the Ukrainian Naval Forces and Russia's Black Sea Fleet.
The unique geographic location and navigation conditions of the city's harbors make Sevastopol a strategically important naval point. It is also a popular seaside resort and tourist destination, mainly for visitors from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries.
The trade and shipbuilding importance of Sevastopol's Port has been growing since the fall of the Soviet Union, despite the difficulties that arise from the joint military control over its harbors and piers.Sevastopol is also an important centre of marine biology research. In particular, studying and training of dolphins has been conducted in the city since the end of World War II. It was first conducted as a secret naval program to use the animals for special undersea operations.
History
Sevastopol together with Kronstadt and Gibraltar is one of the most famous naval citadels in Europe. It was founded in 1783 by Rear Admiral Makenzie, in Russian service, as a base for a naval squadron, when Russia annexed the Crimean peninsula. Five years earlier Aleksandr Suvorov ordered that earth works be erected along the harbor and Russian troops be located there. At first the place was called by its ancient name, Akhtiar. In February 1784 Catherine II (the Great) ordered Grigory Potyomkin (Grigoriy Potemkin) to build there a fortress and call it Sevastopol. The realization of the initial building plans fell to Captain F.F. Ushakov, in 1788 named commander of the port and of the Black Sea squadron. It became an important naval base and later a commercial port. In 1797 under an edict issued by Emperor Paul I, the military stronghold was renamed Akhtiar. Finally, on April 29 (May 10), 1826, the Senate returned the city's name to Sevastopol.
One of the most notable events involving the city is the Siege of Sevastopol (1854–1855) carried out by the British, French, Sardinian, and Turkish troops during the Crimean War, which lasted for 11 months. Despite its efforts, the Russian army had to leave its stronghold and evacuate over a pontoon bridge to the north shore of the inlet. The Russians had to sink their entire fleet to prevent it from falling into the hands of the enemy and at the same time to block the entrance of the Western ships into the inlet. When the enemy troops entered Sevastopol, they were faced with the ruins of a formerly glorious city.A panorama of the siege created by Franz Roubaud and restored after its destruction in 1942 is housed in a specially constructed circular building in the city. It portrays the situation in the height of the siege, on 18 June 1855.
During World War II Sevastopol withstood bombardment by the Germans in 1941–1942, during the Axis siege which lasted for 250 days before it fell in July 1942. The city was renamed as "Theodorichhafen" in 1942. It was liberated by the Red Army on May 9, 1944 and was awarded with the Hero City title a year later.In 1957, the town of Balaklava was incorporated into Sevastopol.
During the Soviet era, Sevastopol became a so-called "closed city". This meant that any non-residents had to apply to the authorities for a temporary permit to visit the city. It was directly subordinate to the central Russian SFSR authorities rather than the local oblast and later (after 1978) to the Ukrainian SSR administration.On July 10, 1993 the Russian parliament passed a resolution declaring Sevastopol to be "a federal Russian city". At the time many supporters of then President Yeltsin had ceased taking part in the Parliaments work. In May 1997, Russia and Ukraine signed the "Peace & Friendship" treaty ruling out Moscow's territorial claims to Ukraine.
Like in the rest of the Crimea, Russian remains the predominant language in the city, although following the independence of Ukraine there have been some attempts at Ukrainization that have had very little success. Government-appointed administration retains formal control of Sevastopol's life (such as of taxation and civil policing) and tries to avoid confrontation with the Black Sea base command and pro-Russian groups. A few years ago, the Communist-dominated city council rejected an EBRD loan to renovate Sevastopol's poor sewage system, declaring that the project was intended to increase the city's dependence on the Ukrainian government and the West.
The WE Youth Political Organization, which advocates Russian citizenship for Sevastopol residents, published a poll in 2004 claiming "72% of the Sevastopol citizens support the idea of the independent status of Crimea... Besides, 95% of the respondents support the constant stationing of the Russian Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol even after 2017, when the time of the corresponding agreement between Russia and Ukraine is up. Also, 100% of the interrogated people are for the accordance of the having a double citizenship, Russian and Ukrainian, right to the Sevastopol citizens. Although it is notable those in case of obtaining the Russian citizenship only 16% of the Sevastopol citizens are ready to give up the Ukrainian one.
Sights and monuments
After World War II, Sevastopol was entirely rebuilt. Many top architects and civil engineers from Moscow, Leningrad, Kiev and other cities and thousands of workers from all parts of the USSR took part in the rebuilding process which was mostly finished by the mid-1950s. The downtown core situated on a peninsula between two narrow inlets, South Bay and Artillery Bay, features mostly Mediterranean-style, three-story residential buildings with columned balconies and Venetian-style arches, with retail and commercial spaces occupying the ground level. Some carefully restored landmarks date back to the early 20th c. (e.g., the Art Nouveau Main Post Office on Bolshaya Morskaya St and the Art Museum on Nakhimovsky Prospect). It has been a long-time tradition for the residents of surrounding suburbs to spend summer evenings by coming to the downtown area for a leisurely stroll with their families along the avenues and boulevards encircling the Central Hill, under the famous Sevastopol chestnut trees, and usually ending up on the waterfront with its famous Marine Boulevard.Due to its military history, most streets in the city are named after Russian and Soviet military heroes. There are hundreds of monuments and plaques in various parts of Sevastopol commemorating its military past.
The population is still largely ethnically Russian and the population's sympathies still lie largely with Moscow rather than Kiev. City residents have strongly protested the visit of American naval ships and Ukrainian interest in joining the NATO alliance. Russian politicians, including the Mayor of Moscow, have even suggested Crimea and specifically, Sevastopol, joining the Russian Federation. While peaceful and stable, the political orientation towards Moscow continues to define Crimea and Sevastopol.
Sevastopol Attractions
Panorama ( Heroic Sevastopol Defense ) Museum
The unique museum was founded in 1905 at 50 Th anniversary of Sevastopol defense during Crimean War. The great walls are divided in two tiers, top from them is processed with 4-side columns and niches with busts of heroes of defense. This building keeps outstanding masterpiece of its 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 defense 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 defense 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 moldings and castings are made by the sculptor Edwards.
Sevastopol Fine Arts museum
Building of the museum is one of architectural attractions of Sevastopol that survived after WWII. Collection was formed from masterpieces of southern Crimea private collections including summer residence of Russian Emperor in Livadia that had been nationalized in 1920. It's exposition contents over 8 000 among them works of Bassano, Tenirs, Snider, Repin, Petrov-Vodkin, Korovin etc. During WWII exhibition was saved by it's director Kroshidsky who evacuated it from Sevastopol.
Sapoune Ridge Memorial
Sapoune Ridge was an arena of furious fights during Sevastopol defense in 1941-1942 and during Sevastopol liberation in 1944. At the top of the ridge located memorial complex in the memory of soldiers, who liberated Sevastopol during WWII. Heroic events of those days found its reflection in the diorama painting 'Sapoune Ridge assault on the 7th May 1944'. On the territory of the complex exhibition of soviet weapon of that time: tanks, canons, mines etc. On the slopes of the ridge is a monument to soldiers of 77th division who died during assault of invaders' positions. In the park you will see Glory monument with the names of regiments and navy participated in liberation of Sevastopol. Also can't be not mentioned that here was Lord Raglan's viewpoint from where he witnessed the Charge of the light brigade.
Sea-gate of Sevastopol (Aquarium, Dolphinarium, Sea World Zoo)
From May to October you can enjoy dolphin and sea lion show with the opportunity of dolphin therapy. In the tanks and pools of aquarium you will see the representatives of the sea world of not only the Black Sea but of the other tropical seas.
Sevastopol as a starting point of Christianity in Ukraine
We'll go back in time to year 988 when the Kyivan prince Volodymyr Svyatoslavovych captured the ancient Sevastopol, where he was converted to Christianity. You will have a unique opportunity to visit cave monasteries with cathedrals and churches of Sevastopol dated back to 8-9 centuries of the last millennium - Saint George Monastery (cape Fiolet with an optional visit of one of the most known and beautiful beaches of Sevastopol area), Saint Clement Monastery and fortress Calamite. Optional combination with Chersonese Tour and exploring Saint Vladimir's cathedral.
Submarine underground base and fortress of Chombal
This excursion is for those who want to feel the power and see the rest of the object that ones was the most secret object in Crimea - Underground submarine base. We start our tour with visiting defense line and Museum dedicated to the defenders of Sevastopol during WWII on Sapun-mount. Then a ride to Balaklava Bay to the entrance of the base and a breathtaking exploring. And on your way back stop at the ruins of Chombal fortress. Rent a motor boat for exploring the Bay and making photos.
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