Sapun-mountain in Crimea: what are the features, where is it located and how to get there?

Sapun-mountain - a geographical hill, which is located north of Sevastopol. From a biological point of view, the object is not remarkable, but from a historical point of view it is very important. During the Second World War, the most bloody battles took place here.

The height of the mountain above sea level is 240 meters. Sapun Mountain is located not far from the central city streets: between the Fedoskino forest belt and the church of the Korsun Icon of Our Lady. Several garden associations are located nearby. The entire ridge consists of three hills, starting from Inkerman, continuing to Balaclava. In fact, the hill goes around the Balaklava Valley. The length of the entire hill is about 7 km. The forest around the mountain is a place of local population. People use a place for outings on holiday dates.

To date, the name of the mountain is a legend, it is included in the list of attractions that must be watched. The object is world famous and is an obligatory item in the cultural program of many tourists. The memorial complex with military equipment is interesting for both adults and children.

The historical mention of Sapun Mountain first appeared in the period of 1854. At this time, the famous Battle of Balaclava happened. The combined battalions of England, France and Turkey on the one hand and the battalion of Russian troops on the other participated in the battle.The enemy’s forces varied many times, but the heights of the mountain were not taken for several assaults. Russian troops repulsed all attacks, the surviving soldiers fled the battlefield. Now nothing reminds of this event at the battlefield, but Sapun Mountain itself entered English folklore as a habitat of evil spirits. These old fighters inhabited the forests and hilltops of various spirits that jinxed the invincible cavalrymen.

Crucial importance Sapun-mountain acquired during the Second World War. The clashes involved other technical means. A highway to Yalta and Simferopol has already been built. Roads were used to move military equipment. From a height, you can control the roads in both directions, which gives an advantage to the troops who took this place. The troops of the Red Army had to fight twice for the summit. Both battles were bloody and fierce. That, on the one hand, and on the other hand, there were big losses. In 1942, the slope almost turned into a burning lava.

During the second period on the mountain was a strategically significant point of the fascist troops. The powerful fortified area was convenient to defend, and the Red Army had to take height, and from the most inaccessible point. This stage was important, since without it it was impossible to free the city. The battles were almost hand-to-hand, but the main battle took place on May 7, 1944. Success was spurred on exploits, and by the 9th the whole city was liberated. Sevastopol residents celebrate a double Victory Day - on the 7th and 9th.

Information about the losses on the Sapun Mountain in different sources varies greatly. The funds of the diorama itself give out general data on those killed during the defense of Sevastopol - 6 thousand people. According to some reports, 350 people were killed during the assault on Sapun Mountain from May 7 to 9. In historical information on the enemy: over 3 thousand soldiers and officers were killed and up to 10 thousand Germans were captured. Among the destroyed: guns and mortars - 495, machine guns and machine guns - 168, vehicles - 287. More than 100 guns, about 2,000 vehicles, and many other property fell into the hands of the Red Army.

An obelisk appeared almost immediately on the legendary hill. A museum and memorial from the guns left on the battlefield also appeared. Locals planted many trees. In 1958, artists Maltsev, Marchenko, and Prisekin created a large-scale canvas called diorama. The place is very popular among tourists from all countries. Later, in 1964, the memorial underwent reconstruction. For example, a monument of Eternal Glory to the soldiers-liberators appeared. The names of the fighting heroes appeared on the memorial plates. In the year of the 50th anniversary of the Victory, the chapel of St. George the Victorious appeared here.

About Sapun-mountain there is a lot of information in the Crimean guidebooks. Many come to Sevastopol precisely for historical sights. Buses, fixed-route taxis rush to this point from different parts of the Crimea. The mountain from the city is 6 km, which is actually a suburb. To get to the Sapun Mountain by personal transport, just drive on the navigator map: latitude - 4455′51 ′ ′, longitude - 3358′51 ′ ′ or the exact address - Crimea, Sevastopol, Nakhimovsky Quarter, Sapun Mountain.

For those traveling by public transport, you must first arrive at the airport of Simferopol, there is no other point for receiving aircraft in Crimea. The main air gate receives dozens of flights per day. You can fly to Simferopol by direct flights from Arkhangelsk, Volgograd, Yekaterinburg, Moscow, Kazan, Krasnodar, Krasnoyarsk, Omsk, St. Petersburg and many other Russian cities. The average ticket price will be about 10 thousand rubles. Moscow and St. Petersburg flights are usually inexpensive, there are discounts from 6 thousand.rubles for a round trip.

Direct routes leave from the airport to Sevastopol, so it is easy to get to the city. The journey will take about three hours, and you will have to pay about 500 rubles for the ticket. For economical tourists, the option of moving by public transport to the Simferopol railway station is suitable. There are enough bus routes: 49, 50, 98, 113 and 115. At the railway station, you can choose an electric train in a suitable direction and hit the road. In time, the road will be longer, but if you are lucky with the departure of the train, it will also take about three hours, but you will have to pay only 150-200 rubles for the trip.

With the advent of the bridge, direct bus routes from different cities of Russia began to go to Sevastopol. The fare depends on the remoteness of the departure city, the time path will take at least a day. The tracks are now modern, comfortable, for example, Don or M-4 was laid from Moscow itself, and the new A-290 road leads to the Krymsky Bridge, you can get to it from the A-146 highway. The main thing is to get to Kerch on the way, after that you need to keep the way to Feodosia, then to Simferopol, and after that just move along the direct road to Sevastopol.

You can get to the town from Yalta, but the journey will take about 40 minutes by personal transport, since you will have to travel 75 km. The Yalta highway is currently being repaired and is in reasonable condition. Between Sevastopol and Yalta, there are many regular buses that leave every 30 minutes. You can choose any flight, dispatch takes place from 6-00 to 22-00. The same routes take travelers from the stop point "Sapun-mountain" in Yalta.

Throughout the warm season, various sports clubs and historical associations organize interesting events on the mountain. They are theatrical, colorful, usually confined to historical dates. In May, a horn loudspeaker begins to work on the mountain, from which military songs sound, various information about the complex or planned events.

Diorama is one of the largest facilities in the complex. Today it is housed in a stately circular building, which is located in the center of the memorial. Analogues of the installation, which appeared in 1959, have not yet been created. There is now a museum on the ground floor of the building, and on the second floor is the painting itself with related items. Also on the second floor there is a panoramic balcony with views of the natural panorama. The diorama is open daily, except Tuesday, you can visit it from 10-00 to 18-00. You do not have to order an excursion, photography is available, but you need to pay extra for the service. The museum shop sells various souvenirs.

The diorama consists of several paintings, the first of which is called “The Storm of Sevastopol”, another work - “The Defense of Sevastopol” - Formally dedicated to the Crimean War, and not to the years of the Second World War. The battle diorama itself was prepared by a group of artists, but it very precisely corresponds to historical facts. It is curious that all fragments of the diorama were written separately, only in place puzzles were combined into one canvas. An object plan has already been added to the created work of art. The exposition turned out to be large-scale, so the opening ceremony, held in 1959, turned into an important cultural event.

Another attraction of the Sapun Mountains is the chapel, which attracts with a mosaic depicting St. George the Victorious. It is located above the entrance to the temple. Artist Brusentsov is listed as the creator of this work of art. An angel figure and a cross are set on the truncated-cone-shaped top of the complex. The most interesting is Sapun-mountain military equipment, which, of course, was specially delivered to the top, but relates to the period of the Second World War. All weapons are placed on open expositions, of which there are 7 pieces. With technology you can take pictures for free. There are almost always a lot of tourists.

An interesting exposition with naval equipment. Here is the famous torpedo ship Komsomolets. There is also a magnetic mine of a bottom type, as well as a combined-cycle torpedo. A propeller, a stereo range finder, a torpedo device, aft anchor, a bomb, sea guns, armor-piercing and practical shells - all this is also included in the exposition. There are some equipment from the number of air defense systems, they are represented by M-1 cars and anti-aircraft guns. The tank exposition displays many types of this equipment from medium to heavy types, and together with self-propelled guns. Among combat vehicles, a greater number of curious people collect Katyusha, but there are still BM-13-16 and BM-13-12 devices in the collection.

In addition to Soviet-made equipment, German artillery exhibits, which also arouse public interest, are also presented on Sapun Mountain. The guns are in the so-called trophy collection - according to the organizers of the exposition, the guns were used on the territory of the city during the Second World War. However, some specimens were brought here from Perm. Before the eyes of tourists appear products dated 1918. For example, this period includes a heavy mortar and a light howitzer. Most of the trophy exposition products belong to the period of the beginning of the last century.

About why you need to visit Sapun Mountain in the Crimea, see the next video.