Balaklava Bay is the eighth wonder of the world. At least, this is what the inhabitants of Crimea think. We can agree with them, because this is really an extraordinary place.
Balaklava Bay appeared as a result of a tectonic fault. The entrance to it is located between the capes of George and Kuron. The bay has a curved shape, it is hidden by mountains, almost invisible from the sea. The water in the bay is always calm, no matter what storms rage on the high seas. This phenomenon is associated with the natural shape of the bay. It resembles the letter S. Balaklava Bay in Crimea is undoubtedly one of the most visited attractions.
Description
The bay is small - its length is 1500 meters, and the maximum width is 425 meters. The depth of the Balaklava Bay varies in different areas from 5 to 36 meters. The narrow winding entrance to the harbor makes it almost invisible from the sea. Thanks to this, Balaklava Bay has long been not only a refuge from enemies, but also protection from storms. There is no other such natural harbor on the Black Sea.
History
The shores of the Balaklava Bay have been inhabited by people since time immemorial. In the 6th century beforeAD ferocious Taurians lived here, much later the ancient Greeks settled in these places. They named the bay Sumbolon Limen, which means "harbor of symbols, omens."
It was in this bay that the brave Odysseus and his comrades were met by bloodthirsty listrigons. Many experts believe that this was the same tribe of Tauris that lived here since ancient times. The Taurians lived by the sea and in fact had a stern disposition. The question of whether Homer could describe Balaklava Bay is unclear. While researchers do not find documentary evidence of this. Mentions of this amazing place are found in the works of authoritative authors who lived in the first centuries of our era - Arrian, Strabo Pliny the Elder, Ptolemy. But none of them mentioned any settlement, much less a city.
In the 17th century, Russia became a powerful empire, and it began a serious struggle for access to the Black Sea with Turkey. Russia controlled the situation in Taurica since 1772. The naval battle of Balaklava (1773) was a historically important moment, which the brave Russian sailors won with honor against the Turks, although the advantage in strength was on the side of the enemy.
In 1774, having signed a peace treaty with Russia, Turkey officially recognized the independence of the Crimean peninsula. In 1783, Catherine II signed a decree on the annexation of Crimea to Russia.
During the Crimean War, English soldiers were in Balaklava Bay. The British built here the first on the Crimean peninsularailroad. Hotels, shops, entertainment establishments appeared in the town of Balaklava. Piers were built on both sides of the bay.
During the Second World War for the Nazis was the desired prey of the Crimea. Balaklava Bay with a very convenient harbor was very attractive to the Germans. To capture it, the Nazis sent the 72nd Infantry Division, which was supported by tanks.
The NKVD battalion, which broke through to the city in early November 1941, tried to repel the first assault, soldiers of the 514th regiment of the Primorsky Army and the marines. With huge losses, the defenders retreated to the Genoese fortress. As in ancient times, the fortress of Chembalo became the last defensive stronghold of Balaklava.
The defenders of the fortress, who took up defense on November 20, repelled up to 70 fascist attacks in a few months, without losing a single fighter. In April 1944, the Soviet Army approached the defensive lines of the enemy, and on April 18 the city was liberated.
Post-war years
After the war, life in this picturesque corner has changed. The Balaklava Bay has also undergone changes. The submarine base was created in this place, hidden from prying eyes. Balaklava became one of the most secret military bases in the USSR. The submarines stationed here were equipped with nuclear weapons in the 1960s. A secret submarine repair plant has been built in the thick of the cliffs on the western shore of the bay.
Balaklava and Balaklava Bay
This small town is located near Sevastopol, near a smallbay of the same name, hidden by rocky mountains. A long and eventful history and beautiful nature attract scientists, researchers and tourists to this place. The history of Balaklava goes back over 2500 years, although some scientists believe that the city is much older.
In ancient times, this settlement was well outside the Crimea. This is evidenced by Greek, Arabic, Polish geographers and travelers. There is a version that Balaclava is the very legendary port of Lamos listrigons, known in ancient Greek mythology as the habitat of cannibal giants that Odysseus and his comrades had to face during their wanderings. The beauty of this place is unique: unique natural monuments - capes Aya and Fiolent, the ruins of the Cembalo fortress, ancient and mysterious temples, covered with beautiful legends, will not leave anyone indifferent.
At the end of the 19th century, Balaklava began to develop as a resort. Dachas of the princes Yusupovs and Gagarins, count Naryshkin, a luxurious villa of prince Apraksin were built here. The first mud bath in the city was opened in 1888, and in 1896 the first power plant appeared here.
By 1911, Balaklava had two zemstvo and one rural schools, four churches, a post station, a hospital, a cinema, a library, a city meeting, a city club, a drama theater. The townspeople were engaged in tobacco growing and viticulture, fishing, extraction of lime and building stone.
Since 1921, Balaklava has been the center of the Balaklava region of the Crimean autonomy. Since 1957Balaklava is part of the city of Sevastopol and is the center of its largest district - Balaklava.
In our time, Balaklava attracts tourists and travelers with its cultural and historical heritage. Every year the traditional international regatta "Kaira" takes place here. Knightly tournaments are held in front of the Cembalo fortress. Diving enthusiasts will be delighted to discover the amazing and mesmerizing underwater world of these places.
Balaklava Bay is a great place for those who want to take a break from the bustle of the city. You can take the necessary things and products and cross by boat or boat to the wild beach, which is located right among the rocks.
Balaklava Bay, sights of Balaklava
As a rule, guests begin to explore the sights of the city from the underground base of submarines, which was top secret during the Cold War.
She was used to repair and maintain submarines. There was also a warehouse of nuclear weapons. This is the largest declassified military facility.
The factory was built in Mount Tavros. It is able to withstand a nuclear attack with a 100-kiloton bomb, 3,000 workers were housed here. Today it is the Balaklava Naval Museum. There is also an exposition of the Sheremetevs "Crimean War".
Cembalo Fortress
This fortification was built by the Genoese. The slopes and the top of Mount Katrona (Greek name) are occupied by fortifications. Today the main tower of the fortress is practicallydestroyed. Artificially created paths and flights of stairs lead to the Cembalo fortress, which originate from the Nazukin embankment.
Aya
This is the south coast cape of Crimea, located near Balaklava. Its name comes from the Greek word, which literally translates as "holy." It is a sheer ledge reaching the base of Mount Kush-Kaya, its highest point is Kokiya-Kiya (557 meters).
At the foot of Cape Ayi there are grottoes, which have long been used by sailors of the Black Sea Fleet to adjust and adjust ship guns.
The cape is covered with light forest, which represents unique Mediterranean plants (about 500 species). The fauna of this territory is quite diverse - stone marten, weasel, roe deer, Crimean mountain fox, wild boars, leopard snake.
A landscape reserve has been organized on the cape since 1982.
Temple of the Twelve Apostles
This is the oldest religious building of the Orthodox Church in Crimea, located very close to the Balaklava embankment. The temple portal is decorated with a colonnade. In Soviet times, the temple was closed, the service was held in it only during the Second World War. After the great victory, the House of Pioneers and the Osoaviakhim club were located in the temple. Only in the 90s the temple was transferred to the Orthodox Church, at the same time large-scale restoration work began.
The temple is small in size, but saturated with light. This expands the space and gives grandeur to white walls that have no decor at all.
Fragments of relics are stored in the templeBlessed Basil and St. Sergius of Radonezh.
