Simferopol, Crimea.
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Simferopol is the administrative and cultural center of Autonomous Republic Crimea, Ukraine. It was founded in 1784 on the banks of the largest Crimean river Salgir during the reign of Katherine the Great.
The area where the contemporary city is located used to be a home to Scythian Neapolis - the capital of the Scythian state (3rd century BC - 3rd century AD). Its remnants were discovered in the 19th century and still can be seen at the south-eastern part of the city.
Crimea's map.Click to enlarge.
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The city is considered the gate of the Crimea. Conveniently located between Internal and External ridges of the Crimean Mountains, it always attracted people with favorable geographical environment. In the middle of XIX century the railway connected the Crimean capital to Moscow, St.Petersburg, and Kharkov. The city became a major Crimea's transport junction.
Thousands people arrive Simferopol's train station and its international airport every day during high season. They have a few options to transfer from Simferopol:
- By the longest in the world (96 km)
trolleybus line which connects
city to Yalta and Alushta - bus or minibus (marshrutka)
- by taxi
For the majority of people arriving to Crimea the city's train station or airport are only the place where they can change one kind of transportation to another.
It is quite understandable. They come to Crimea to enjoy warm and tender Black Sea. It is so close! It will take you about 1.5 hours by trolleybus to reach Alushta and one hour more to go for a walk on Yalta embankment.
It is sad fortune for the city with population about 400,000, more than 20 Universities, 4 theaters, numerous museums, concert halls, exhibitions and parks to be just "A Crimean Gate". People who had chance to discover Simferopol, were pleased to find out, that there are much more to see and enjoy in this cite than just railway terminal, airport, bus stations, and taxicabs.
If you've decided to look around the city, there are a lot of mini buses (marshrutkas). For less than $1 you can reach any place of your interest. The city trolley buses are much cheaper, but I wouldn't recommend you to save money this way. Unless you don't mind to try local coloring with many people around you.
What are the most interesting places to visit?
- An excavated site of Scythian Neapolis (located close to the major bus station) is a major archaeological monument in the city. A large public building with columns, the mausoleum, numerous burial sites, 8.5 m thick defensive walls, and a lot of golden decorations and jewelry are the major archaeological finds.
- Part of them can be seen at Krimsky Historical (Kraevedchesky) Museum (Working hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-day off. Ticket cost-$1.)
Address: - Gogolya str.,14. - One of the oldest building in the city (1502) is the Mosque Kebir-Jami located in the Old Town quarter Ak-Mechet. This Tatar fully working mosque made of white chalk stone was completely rebuilt from ruins in 1993.
Address: Kurchatova str., 4. - Simferopol Art Museum was founded in 1937. There more than 6,000 units of art in its exposition.
Address: Karl Libkneht str., 35. - A travel house of General M. Vorontsov, built in 1827 is , perhaps, one of the most interesting building in the city. It is situated in the city's park "Salgirka".
Address: Yaltinskaya str.,2.
There is some historical paradox in the fact that an ancient Ukraine is a young and growing country. Some time will pass before it finds its own strong voice in international politics, reaches proper standards of living, becomes attractive country for investments. Simferopol is a Ukrainian city. Like the rest of the country it is changing its character and look. Take a moment to look at it.
Now the Black Sea is waiting for you. Let's check possible Simferopol transfer.
If you are planning a trip to Crimea and need help take advantage of knowledge, humor, and an insider's view of Eugene Snezhkin and his personal escorted tour service. Check my recommendation.
