Attractions in Sevastopol - Balaclava

Balaclava

Nested on shores of the cozy bay, nowadays Balaclava is a district of Sevastopol. It is 40 minutes drive from the center of Sevastopol.

Originally an independent town with a long and exciting history, Balaclava celebrated its 2500 anniversary in 2004.

According to the most recent scientific facts people lived here 3200 years ago.

The fist inhabitants of Balaclava were Tauric tribes their activities were maritime banditry and piracy. Taurus set on fire on the mountain slopes to attract the ships sailing by. When a ship came closer, all of a sudden they attacked the ship and plundered it.

 In the Tauric period the place was known as Sumbolon Limne (A Harbour of Symbols).  There are scientific evidences that Balaclava was a headquarters of Roman Corps in I-III century AD.

In middle of XIV century it was taken over by Genoa Kingdom. Chembalo fortress was built on the hillside and Balaclava became a center of trade. 

(общая фотка Балаклавы  и крепости Чембало)

In 1475 Ottoman Empire conquered the Crimea including Chembalo. Turks named this place Balaclava that can be translated as “Fish Nest”. 

In the end of XVIII century the Crimea was annexed to Russia and Balaklava was taken under control by Russian Empire. Before the Crimean war it was a residence of Greek garrison in Russian service.

During the Crimean war of 1854-1855 the place was a camping spot of British Army. Balaclava is always linked with the Charge of the Light Brigade which took place in the Balaklava Valley known as the Valley of Death.  Long believed to be loaded with gold and spread rumours, notorious HMS Prince sank off Balaclava’s rocky cliffs in a heavy storm of November 1854.

In the early XX century, Balaclava was a popular resort. Many Russian noble families, statesmen, men of art and literature had summer residences on the shores of the most scenic bay of the Crimea, the Bay of Balaclava.

In the Soviet times Balaclava was closed for tourists because of the secret submarine plant that had been build in the harbour after the Second World War.

In 1991 the USSR collapsed and the town was open for public.  Many military objects including the submarine plant in Balaklava were closed. Nowadays the plant is a local attraction, the National Museum of Ukraine and a stage for exhibitions.

Balaclava was an inspiration place for Russian writers, poets and artists of early XX century. This cozy bay surrounded by high rocky cliffs it was depicted in many romantic stories and novels. As the reference to Homer’s the Odyssey, this place is believed to be home for Lestrigons and connected with a story of Ifigenia.

Landscape Beaches of Balaclava are popular with local residents and tourists. In summer time you can use public transportation, a ferry boat, to reach beaches of Balaclava. Another variant is to hire a motorboat. The ferry boat will take you to Silver, Golden Beaches of Balaclava or to Yashmovy Beach of Cape Feolent.

Clean water, stunning views of the open sea and picturesque rocky cliffs attract many tourists to Balaclava.