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Crimean Town Balaklava. 2500 Years of History.
A small town Balaklava in Crimea, Ukraine has gone through many events during its history. It is a part of the city Sevastopol and its population is about 20,000. Unlike the majority of the small provincial cities, its name is well known not only to the local mail-men and people who have lived there, but also all over the world.
Towns and villages, streets, boulevards, metro stations in Great Britain, France, Turkey, Australia, and Maurice Island are named after Balaklava.
Indissoluble historical connections attach its name to Greece, Italy, Russia, Turkey, Great Britain, France, and Germany.
Balaklava Bay and Fortress Chembalo.
What made it famous? Most likely a rare combination of unique nature and rich history saturated by significant events. It was founded about 2500 years by the Ancient Greeks and became an important commercial city. Mediterranean climate, Black Sea, a well- protected by the mountains bay always attracted people as a good place to live. No wonder that during 2500 years of its history the city has gone through many hands.
The Byzantines changed Ancient Greeks in the Middle Ages. In 1365 the city was conquered by the Genoese that made it a major trading center. In 1475 all Crimean Peninsula was seized by the growing Ottoman Empire. The Russo-Turkish War, 1768-1774, made it possible for Russia to annex Crimean Peninsula. In 1956 Crimea was joined to Ukraine.
The part of Crimea near Sevastopol has always been a stage for the big military events. It remembers sounds of the famous Balaklava Battle and Charge of the Light Brigade during Crimean War. During Second World War it became the southernmost point in the Soviet-German lines.
Sevastopol and Balaklava have always been the cities of the fishermen and military people. The ancient fortresses and temples full of romantic legends bring some special charm to this area. Every week by the Fortress Chembalo Knight Tournaments take place. Clank of blades, shutting of ancient guns, boiling of the strong emotions.... It is something to see.
A former Nuclear Submarine base is not that romantic, but curious enough to look at it. This underground facility (area 10 sq. km) is hidden under 120 m rocks and could accumulate about 40 - 50 thousands people in case of emergency. It remained operational till 1993. There is small Military-Sea Museum over there. You can visit it from 10 a.m till 5 p.m.
Inside a former Nuclear Submarine base.
I think that the best attraction of that area is its unique nature. Here are only a few names which for people who love and know Crimea sound like a song:
Cape Aiya
Gorge Aiyazma
Cape Fiolent
Orlinovsky Preserve
Gorge Batiliman
Cape Sarich
Laspy Bay, and so on
This Crimea area has a lot of beautiful beaches and people of all ages can find their SPECIAL place there. But perhaps this is the most attractive part of the Crimea Peninsula for scuba diving, mini sea cruises, rock climbing, bicycling and hiking. I hope this video will let you fill the right spirit of this beautiful area.
