Major cities in Crimea

Top attractions in Crimea to visit

Chersonesus is an ancient city that was a part of the ancient Greek colony of the same name on the southwest coast of Crimea. It was founded by the Greek settlers from Heraclea Pontica in VI-V centuries BC. Chersonesus existed for about 2,000 years and now it is the object of cultural heritage. Chersonesus city was a democratic polis, all Greek festivals were held in it as well as sporting events, it also maintained active foreign policy. The patron saint of the settlement was Artemis Chersonesus state from the very beginning was surrounded by belligerent and hostile tribes, in particular the Tauri and Scythians, and was constantly fighting. During the long period of wars with Scythians in III-I centuries BC some cities of the state have been lost, Kerkinitis and Kalos Lyman. Enemies more than once beseiged the town of Chersonesus. In order to defeat the Scythians, Chersonesus had to seek help of Mithridates VI Eupator, king of Pontus. He provided help, but since then the Chersonesus became dependent upon Bosporan Kingdom. After that, in V century, it had been waging wars with barbarians, in particular with the Huns, which differed in especial ferocity. The 4th crusade also left its mark on Chersonesus. At that time the Seljuk Turks seized the transit trade, and became masters of the Black Sea. In 1223 the Mongols hordes of Batu Khan made their first foray on the Crimea. In 1299 the southern coast was seized and ruined by horde of Nogai Khan. In 1363, the Grand Duke of Lithuania Algirdas devastated Chersonesus, and in 1397 his successor Vytautas destroyed it again. After the raid of Edigei in 1399, Chersonesus was unable to get up. It was still a small fishing village, but in the XV century, the remaining inhabitants abandoned it. Almost 400 years after, in 1827 the first excavations of Chersonesus have started at its site. At that time the three temples were recovered. Among the most famous monuments of Chersonesus Taurica are a Central square, the ancient Theater, the Zenon Tower, the Basilica and Chersonesus bell that was made in Taganrog by casting metall from Turkish guns in 1778. The Basilica is called
Chersonesus

Chersonesus is an ancient city that was a part of the ancient Greek colony of the same name on the southwest coast of Crimea. It was founded by the Greek settlers from Heraclea Pontica in VI-V…

Mount Mithridates is located in Crimea, in the town of Kerch, it is named in honor of Mithridates VI Eupator, the king of Pontus, whose name means
Mount Mithridat

Mount Mithridates is located in Crimea, in the town of Kerch, it is named in honor of Mithridates VI Eupator, the king of Pontus, whose name means "a gift of Mithra". The king was a protector of…

Swallow's Nest is an architectural monument, a building that resembles a medieval knight's castle. Swallow's Nest is located on a steep 40-meter Aurora cliff of the Cape Ai-Todor in the southern coast of Crimea. The first building on the site was built for a retired general of the Russian-Turkish war of 1877-1878. Later in 1912 a German baron Steingel, who loved to rest in Crimea, demolished the old castle and built a new one in Gothic style. In 1927 a strong earthquake happened in Crimea and an observation deck has hung over a precipice, the garden fell into the sea along with a part of the cliff, but the castle itself was not injured. In 1960 years the deck was strengthened during a restoration of a building. In 2002, the building opened for public access. In 2013, a crack was found in the rock and access to the castle has been suspended again. In the Jackie Chan movie,
Swallow's Nest

Swallow's Nest is an architectural monument, a building that resembles a medieval knight's castle. Swallow's Nest is located on a steep 40-meter Aurora cliff of the Cape Ai-Todor in the southern…

Livadia Palace is the southern residence of Russian emperors, which is located in the village of Livadiya in Yalta region of Crimea. The palace is also famous as the place that attracted composers, poets, artists At different times the palace was repeatedly visited by famous politicians and artists from different countries. The history of the palace began in 1834 when the Livadia (originating from Greek word meadow), was bought by Count Leo Potocki. He rebuilt the manor house and the greenhouse and built a landscaped park. In 1861 the estate became the residence of the Russian Tsar Alexander II. The house was rebuilt into the Grand Palace in the Italian Renaissance style and a Petit Palace was built for the heir. In 1911 the White Palace was rebuilt for Russian Tsar Nicholas II that moved to Livadia. In 1918, German troops looted the palace. In 1993 the Palace received the status of the museum
Livadia Palace

Livadia Palace is the southern residence of Russian emperors, which is located in the village of Livadiya in Yalta region of Crimea. The palace is also famous as the place that attracted composers,