Balaclava in Crimea: features and attractions

On the southwestern coast of Crimea, 15 km from Sevastopol, Balaklava Bay is located. She is beautiful, her promenade is a bit like a small, cozy Italy. Narrow streets with bends, ups and downs, small houses with wrought iron railings and flower pots ... Everything has to rest, travel to historical places and boat trips.

Balaklava district is one of the most beautiful districts of Sevastopol. A narrow winding strait and rocky shores on both sides of the bay, thanks to which the city cannot be seen from the sea, create a unique natural landscape.

Balaclava was first described by Homer in the poem "Odyssey" of the VIII century. BC e. like the city of Lamos, in which the Lestrigoes live.

Different people settled on these shores - Tatars, Greeks, Romans, Turks, and each of them had its own name for this bay.

The word "balaclava" in translation from Tatar means "fish bag". This is explained by the fact that in the velvet season - from the end of August to the beginning of October - dolphins drive schools of fish from the sea to the bay, the fish falls into a trap, rushing between mountain shores and dolphins. It’s easy to catch at this time. Local fishermen knew this, set fishing gear correctly and provided themselves with fish for a long time.

The subsequent recollection of this area dates back to the 1st century AD. e., it describes a fishing village, where the Taurus were the main inhabitants. Thanks to them, the original name of the peninsula was Tauris.

An ancient Roman writer who wrote a book about Natural History mentions the Greek cities of Crimea - Chersonesos and Syumbolon Limn, which means "Bay of Symbols." Therefore, when a Genoese colony was founded at this place, it was called Chembalo - a distorted word from the former Greek name.

The very first building that the Genoese erected near Cembalo was the Orthodox church of the twelve apostles, which has not lost its beauty to this day.

In 1474, the Russian traveler Athanasius Nikitin visited the town, who mentioned it in his travel notes “Walking Over Three Seas”.

Soon, near the coast of Crimea, a Turkish flotilla appears with 500 ships and an army of 30,000 people. The fortress of Chembalo fell without a fight. The “Turkish gap” of Balaklava reigns, it gets another name - Balyklagy, which in Turkish means “fish place”.

In the summer of 1625, the Cossacks from Zaporozhye and the Don captured Balaclava, but not for long. The Turkish fleet was more numerous, they lost the battle.

Time passes, and in 1771 the loyal subject of Catherine II, Prince Dolgorukov, occupied Chembalo, not meeting resistance from the Turks.

Soon in June 1773, the first Russo-Turkish war begins. Near the Balaclava there was a naval battle of the Don fleet in the amount of two newly-built ships “Coron” and “Taganrog” with four ships of Turkey. As a result, after a long six hours of battle, the Turkish squadron suffered multiple injuries and retreated. The battle near Balaclava was the main success of the Russian flotilla on the Black Sea.

In the XVIII century, Balaklava became the main refuge of the Russian fleet, which, even before formally joining Russia, relocated to the Crimean peninsula.

In April 1783, Catherine II wrote an appeal about the connection of Crimea and Russia.

In 1854–1855 there was a war in Crimea, Balaklava Bay was occupied by troops from England. To transport ammunition and basic necessities, the British built a railway to Balaklava. On both sides of the harbor piers were erected, living yards and shops were built.

The British were clearly unlucky on the Crimean peninsula. In the fall of 1854, the famous Balaclava battle took place - as a result of this battle, the invaders lost the main units of the cavalry, which consisted of the heirs of the high-born families of England. The war ended, the British left.

Stormy life in Balaklava begins at the end of the XIX century, now the city is developing as a resort

One of the first who appreciated the prospects of Balaclava as a resort was K. A. Skirmunt. In 1870, he entered the city and opened the doors of his house, introducing him as a boarding house. In addition, the Skirmunts bought land in the Balaklava Valley, planted the best grapes from Hungary and the Rhine. A bit later a mud bath opens on the embankment.

After the defeat of the White Guards in 1920, a new Soviet power was established, Balaklava imperceptibly transferred from the resort town to the production one.

In 1923, the legendary EPRON organization was born, which is engaged in special-purpose underwater expeditions. This then EPRON will become an all-Union organization for various diving operations.

At the beginning of 1930, the development and production of fluxes was carried out by the Balaklava Mining Administration, and the Proletarsky Ray fish canning factory operates.

1953–1963 - a factory is being built underground, in which submarines will be repaired and equipped, it becomes a secret object, and Balaklava - a secret territory until 1993.

Today, Balaklava seems to be a town with a population of 22 thousand people, but during the holiday season this figure becomes several times larger.Every year near the bay passes the international sailing regatta "Kaira". Fans of diving discover the unique underwater world of these places.

In the south-west of the coast of Crimea, between Cape Fiolent and Cape Aya, 15 kilometers from Sevastopol is an ancient settlement.

Today, Balaklava - an integral part of Sevastopol, is included in it, as the Balaklava district.

Balaklava Bay - the most comfortable bay of the Black Sea for mooring yachts, ships. Its width varies from 200 to 400 meters, the depth at the entrance to the bay is 38 meters, and already in the bay itself is 17 meters, the length is 1.5 km.

Looking at the bay on a detailed map, you can see that it is curved like the letter S. Thanks to this, moorings are not visible from the sea and there are no storms in it.

The area of ​​Balaklava is 54.4 thousand hectares, it includes three mountains: Main, Internal and External.

In the south-east of Sevastopol is the Balaklava Valley, dividing the Crimean Mountains into the Inner and Main Ridges.

You can get to the village only by car - in the pre-war time there was a tram service, but after the war it was not restored.

Embankments are located on both sides of it. This is the main and most picturesque part of Balaclava. The sleeping areas are not far from the right side of the bay.

The main part of the inhabitants lives in individual houses, and in its western part there are small microdistricts of multi-storey buildings built along two main streets. On the lower floors there are a large number of cafes, restaurants and shops.

Tourists can take advantage of various accommodation options: in the private sector, hotel, small hotel, of which there are several in the village.

The weather in the region is close to Mediterranean, relatively warm and dry. In this place two climatic zones are connected: subtropical and temperate. The climate of the city and its environs is unusually favorable for health. The sea warmed in summer heats the coastal air, and, accordingly, in the summer, the sea cooled during the winter softens the hot days. In the summer, there is almost no rain, mostly dry, cloudy weather.

July and August are the hottest months, with daytime temperatures generally between 28 and 33 ° C. Autumn has always been considered the velvet season. Daytime air temperature is very comfortable - 25–27 ° C, and nighttime 14–18 ° C. You can swim in the sea until mid-October.

In winter, in the mountains, snow lies for 4 months. January and February are the coldest for local residents, the air temperature is + 3-4 ° C.

May is warm and even hot, the air can warm up to 33 ° C.

The best time to relax in Balaclava is the middle of summer and the beginning of autumn.

We present to your attention a list of interesting places recommended for visiting.

• St. George Monastery was first mentioned in the annals of 1578, but according to legend, the foundation dates back to 891, when Greek sailors were shipwrecked near the coast of Crimea. The building belongs to the Genoese style, built with one dome and a portico, which is supported by columns. At the location of the borders of the monastery, Prince Golitsyn and General Witte are buried. He was visited more than once by A.S. Pushkin, A.S. Griboedov and members of the royal family.
• The Naval Museum Complex, during the Soviet Union, was an underground repair plant for the maintenance of submarines, cut down directly in the rock and has access to the sea. To view the interesting expositions that are on the premises inside Mount Tavros, you will need to take a great walk, sail on a boat through man-made canals, where there was a base of submarines.
• The fortress Cembalo, which was built in the middle of the 16th century by the Genoese, rises above the bay. The fortress wall and towers are built of rubble stone so thoroughly that the fortress did not even collapse during the Crimean earthquake. Inaccessible fortification suffered greatly during the Great Patriotic War.
• The Church of the Holy 12 Apostles is located on the central promenade of Balaklava. The church was built in 1357, and in 1794 and 1875 it was reconstructed and repaired. Until 1941, the House of Pioneers was first in the temple building, and then OSOAVIAHIM. In the early 90s, the building was again transferred to the church.
• The Tauride promenade of Balaklava looks unusually beautiful when you leave the Naval Museum. A little passing towards the open sea, opens a picturesque picture of the entrance to the harbor.
• The barrel of death, as the observation tower was nicknamed, was set up not far from the fortress of Cembalo, on the nearby mountain. The defensive structure was built to control the sea and the portal of the bay, it made slots in order to control the battle of firearms.
• Nazukin Embankment - a visiting card of the city, it was built by the British during the Russian-Turkish war, which captured the bay. Initially, it was paved with wooden flooring, and already at the end of the 19th century pavers were laid. All sea voyages begin from the Nazukin embankment, rent fishing boats, book sightseeing tours along the coast of Crimea.

Today, residents and the city government of Balaclava are doing everything possible to make the rest comfortable and unforgettable. Previously, there were only two hotels in the bay, but today there are a lot of them and they please with their relatively inexpensive prices. It all depends on the area of ​​deployment - hotels, hotels, hostels, guest houses during the peak season and located on the seashore will be more expensive, so book in advance accommodation at the desired hotel.

All hotels have wi-fi, TV (cable), air conditioning (split), refrigerators, free parking, cold / hot water.

There are small hotels in the private sector with a pool that can replace the sea, cozy courtyards and summer gazebos. You can immediately rent a room.

A brief description of hotels, hostels, perhaps, will help you in choosing a decent accommodation for your vacation.

• Hotel "Dionysus" - 4 "stars", located 2 km from the sea. Near the hotel there is a stop for public transport. The hotel has a large outdoor pool, sauna, billiards. Ready breakfast for all residents.
• Hotel "Homer" - 3 "stars", is located 100 meters from the quays of Balaklava. The hotel rooms are decorated in an elegant style in bright colors with designer furniture. The hotel can provide rooms of categories from "standard" to "luxury". Morning breakfast is included. There is a left-luggage office.
• Hotel “Dakkar” - 3 “stars”, is located in a modern, detached building, not far from the main promenade of Balaklava. The hotel has 22 rooms of different categories. The advantage over other hotels is the accommodation with pets. Fine restaurant with free breakfast. There is a scotch bar, a meeting room, car parking is free.
• Hotel "Fishing Sloboda" is located directly on the Balaklava embankment. Nearby, a 7-minute walk, is the Cembalo Fortress. The comfortable rooms are simple and equipped with a TV, minibar and balconies. Suite rooms are available for a different number of guests.
• Hostel Sloboda is located almost on the seafront of Balaklava. The rooms are equipped with air conditioning, TV with satellite channels. On the territory of the hostel - free wi-fi, registration at the reception around the clock. Nearby is a large selection of restaurants and cafes where you can dine.
• Hotel KuprInn is located in the very center of Balaclava. The rooms are equipped with all necessary amenities - ironing facilities, climate control systems, electrical appliances for making tea or coffee. There is a spa with a hammam, a Finnish sauna. Breakfast is buffet style. Pines, junipers, cypresses, lavender, Mexican agave grow around the guest house and on the territory. From the windows a beautiful view of the bay, the fortress of Cembalo and the temple of the Twelve Apostles.
• First Line Apartment is located on the seafront of Balaclava. Presented in the form of two-room apartments with all necessary conditions for living. Pets allowed.

The town is surrounded by rocks on all sides, and the promenade is the center for the start of all tourist trips. All local flavor is concentrated on it, where all kinds of restaurants, cafes, and coffee houses open their doors. The number of establishments in Balaclava, where it is allowed to eat both tasty and inexpensive, is very large.

• The Egoist restaurant can be found at the very beginning of Nazukin embankment, it offers a menu of European cuisine.
• Restaurant Prince is located on the ship, visitors are taken on three decks. A wide range of dishes from meat, fish and sea delicacies, fresh pastries, a wine list and own prepared drinks.
• Fish restaurant "Tatyana’s cape" is similar to a motor ship that moves along the promenade. Fish menu for every taste, wine list, boat trip organization.
• You will find the fish restaurant “Hut of the Fisherman” at the end of the promenade. Large selection of fish and seafood dishes, only freshly caught fish. The design of the restaurant is made in the style of a restaurant.
• Restaurant "Balaclava" - fish, gourmet fish and seafood dishes. There are three halls: Genoa, Scarlet Sails, Wardroom and an open veranda with a unique view of the bay.
• Restaurant "Kefalo Vrisi" offers a large fish menu, a wine list. Interesting for visiting with children.

Balaclava beaches are usually located in beautiful and inaccessible places, which can only be reached by sea. The best vacation on the Black Sea coast is hard to imagine.

But the first beach that you will see before you go to inspect others is City Beach. It is located on Nazukin embankment, but you will need to swim in the bay, and this is incomparable with the beach on the open sea. The beach is free, but you will not find silence and solitude on it.

The next beach, located in the city - Marble, was named after the pebbles of a wonderful pink color. You can find it on the other side of the bay, where the Tauride Embankment ends, near the yacht club. The water on the beach is clear, as there is an open sea nearby. The beach is landscaped. Nearby there are cafes, restaurants.

From the Marble Beach, the Genoese fortress and Cape Ayia are clearly visible. Balaklava Bay from the observation deck located above the Marble Beach looks unusually beautiful.

Then you can start your vacation with a walk on the sea to see and decide which beach to choose for your vacation. They will be located in the direction of Sevastopol, to the right of the bay - the beaches of Cape Fiolent, and in the South direction, to the left of the bay - in the area of ​​Cape Ayia.

Silver and Gold beaches are located outside the city, and to visit them you need to rent a boat. The coastline of beaches with coarse sand or small pebbles. Sea water is clean. The beach is landscaped with tents. There are stalls with water, ice cream.

Jasper beach is very spacious, its length is more than 500 meters, the coastline is of medium-sized pebbles, clear water. The view of Cape Fiolent from the beach looks unusually beautiful. You can come to it if you walk along the famous staircase, consisting of 800 steps, or sail by boat, boat.

The Lost World beach is very secluded, you can visit it by renting cutters, and even with guides to the local grottoes, caves.

Balaklava is one of the most popular Crimean resorts. Vacationers are attracted by a town with a long history, unforgettable beaches that are accessible only from the sea, picturesque cavities and caves near Cape Ayia, as well as reasonable prices for accommodation and meals in restaurants and cafes. All this makes the rest unforgettable and beautiful.

All vacationers are satisfied with visiting a beautiful resort in the Crimea. Most of the reviews about Balaclava are positive and enthusiastic.The bay itself, the embankment and, of course, coastal beaches with azure clear water cause a storm of emotions among visitors.