Where did the names of a jacket “cardigan”, a “raglan” sleeve and special force’s headgear “balaklava” come from? Why were admirals in command during the defense of Sevastopol? Where did Christianity come from to Rus’? Look for answers in Sevastopol.
Origin of the name: Translated from Greek Sevastopol means “a city worth warship”. Tatar settlement Akhtiar was renamed in such a way under the order of Catherine the Great.
History: In antiquity within the territory of the modern city majestic city-state Chersonesos was located, founded by people natives of Heraclea Pontica in 529 B.C. and burnt to ashes in 1399 by the Mongolian Edigu Khan’s troops. Antique Chersonesos was an oligarchic republic, minting coins and having active trade with developed world countries. At various times serving as an outpost it was under the influence of the Bosporan Kingdom, Roman and Byzantine Empires. Christianity was spread in Chersonesos in III – IV centuries A.D., it was in Chersonesos where Vladimir the Great and his troops accepted Christianity as their religion, this step was the beginning of Rus’ Christianization. After being burnt Chersonesos failed to revive. The main trade centers became Genoese colony Cembalo (Balaklava) and the Karaite city Chufut-Kale.
The date of the second birth is considered to be the year of foundation of Sevasotpol – 1783. The city was built by the Russian Navy, and that probably was the destiny of Sevastopol. The houses were raised with local limestone; white color of stone wraps the city with the air of purity, safety and confidence. Traditionally Russian naval base (over the 1917 to 1991 period) takes part in all the military activities in the south of the country. Russia owes the most brilliant naval victories to the legendary Admirals Lazarev and Nakhimov. The Crimean War, in which Russia was defeated, glorified the city throughout the world. Due to it the humanity learned about the field surgery and anesthesia, rifles, undersea telegraph and mobile railroad. The combatants were Leo Tolstoy, Nikolay Pirogov, the grandfather of Winston Churchill and the famous Florence Nightingale.
For courage and heroism of the soldiers during the World War II, Sevastopol was awarded the title of the Hero City. The modern Sevastopol was a closed naval base until 1992, and nowadays we have a possibility to become the participants of the stunning military show – the Day of Russian Navy. Balaklava, famous for the underground tunnels of submarines, is similar to Saint-Tropez today with beautiful scenery and yachts. Sevastopol neighborhood is a real El Dorado for tourists. Three days are scarcely enough to visit all the rock cities and monasteries, wineries and cozy restaurants along the seaside of the Artillery Bay.
landmarks
• The Panorama Museum (Siege of Sevastopol) • Cave Monasteries: Balaklava St. George Monastery, Inkerman Monastery, Svyato-Uspensky Cave Monastery |
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