Balaklava Bay is the eighth wonder of the world. At least that's what the residents of Crimea think. You can agree with them, because this is really an extraordinary place.
Balaklava Bay appeared as a result of a tectonic fault. The entrance to it is located between the capes of George and Kuron. The bay has a curved shape, it is hidden by mountains, almost invisible from the sea. The water in the bay is always calm, no matter what storms rage in the open sea. This phenomenon is associated with the natural shape of the bay. It resembles the letter S. Balaklava Bay in Crimea, undoubtedly, is one of the most visited attractions.
Description
The bay has small dimensions - its length is 1, 500 meters, and the maximum width is 425 meters. The depth of the Balaklava Bay varies in different areas from 5 to 36 meters. The narrow winding entrance to the harbor makes it almost invisible from the sea. Thanks to this, Balaklava Bay has long been not only a refuge from enemies, but also protection from storms. Another such natural harbor is not on the Black Sea.
History
Shores of the Balaklava Bay have been inhabited since time immemorial. In the VI century BC fierce Taurus lived here, much later the ancient Greeks settled in these places. They gave the bay the name Syumbolon Limen, which means "a haven of symbols, omens."
It was in this bay that the brave Odyssey and his comrades met the bloodthirsty listrigons. Many experts believe that this was the same tribe of Tauris that lived here from ancient times. Taurus lived by the sea and in fact had a harsh disposition. The question of whether Homer could describe Balaklava Bay is not clear. So far, researchers have not documented this. Mention of this amazing place is found in the works of authoritative authors who lived in the first centuries of our era - Arrian, Strabo Pliny the Elder, Ptolemy. But none of them mentioned any settlement, much less a city.
In the XVII century, Russia became a powerful empire, and it began a serious struggle for access to the Black Sea with Turkey. Russia has been in control of the situation in Taurica since 1772. A historically important moment was the naval battle at Balaclava (1773), which the brave Russian sailors defeated the Turks with honor, although the superiority was in force on the side of the enemy.
In 1774, by signing a peace treaty with Russia, Turkey officially recognized the independence of the Crimean peninsula. In 1783, Catherine II signed a decree on the annexation of Crimea to Russia.
During the Crimean War, English soldiers were in Balaklava Bay. The British built the first railway on the Crimean peninsula here. In the town of Balaclava appeared hotels, shops, entertainment venues. A marina was constructed on both sides of the bay.
During the Second World War for the Nazis was the desired booty of the Crimea. Balaklava Bay with a very convenient harbor was very attractive to the Germans. To capture her, the Nazis sent the 72nd Infantry Division, which was supported by tanks.
The first assault was tried to repel the NKVD battalion, which broke through to the city in early November 1941, fighters of the 514th Regiment of the Primorsky Army and the Marines. With huge losses, the defenders retreated to the Genoese fortress. As in ancient times, the fortress of Chembalo became the last defensive stronghold of Balaclava.
The defenders of the fortress, who took up the defense on November 20, repelled up to 70 Nazi attacks in a few months, while not losing a single fighter. In April 1944, the Soviet Army approached the defensive lines of the enemy, and on April 18 the city was liberated.
Post-war years
After the war, life in this picturesque corner has changed. Balaklava Bay has also undergone changes. The submarine base was created in this place hidden from prying eyes. Balaclava became one of the most secret military bases in the USSR. Submarines stationed here were equipped with nuclear weapons in the 60s. A secret submarine repair plant was built in the thickness of the cliff on the west coast of the bay.
Balaclava and Balaclava Bay
This small town is located near Sevastopol, near a small bay of the same name hidden by rocky mountains. A long and eventful history and beautiful nature attract scientists, researchers and tourists to this place. The history of Balaclava dates back more than 2500 years, although some scientists are sure that the city is much older.
In ancient times, this settlement was well outside the Crimea. This is evidenced by Greek, Arab, Polish geographers and travelers. There is a version that Balaclava - this is the very legendary port of Lamos listrigons, known in ancient Greek mythology as the habitat of the cannibalistic giants that Odysseus and his comrades had to encounter during their wanderings. The beauty of this place is unique: unique natural monuments - capes Ayia and Fiolent, the ruins of the Chembalo fortress, ancient and mysterious temples, covered with beautiful legends, will not leave anyone indifferent.
At the end of the 19th century, Balaclava began to develop as a resort. Here were built the dachas of the princes Yusupov and Gagarin, Count Naryshkin, and the luxurious villa of Prince Apraksin. The first mud bath in the city was opened in 1888, and in 1896 the first power station appeared here.
By 1911, there were two Zemstvo and one rural schools, four churches, a postal station, a hospital, a cinema, a library, a city meeting, a city club, and a drama theater in Balaklava. Citizens were engaged in tobacco growing and viticulture, fishing, lime and building stone.
Since 1921, Balaklava has been the center of the Balaklava Autonomous Region of Crimea. Since 1957, Balaklava is part of the city of Sevastopol and is the center of its largest region - Balaklava.
Nowadays, Balaclava attracts tourists and travelers with its cultural and historical heritage. Every year there is a traditional international regatta "Kaira". Knights tournaments are held in front of the Cembalo fortress. Fans of diving will be delighted to discover the amazing and bewitching underwater world of these places.
Balaklava Bay is a great place for those who want to relax from the bustle of the city. You can take the necessary things and products and on a boat or boat to cross to a wild beach, which is located right among the rocks.
Balaklava Bay, Balaklava Attractions
As a rule, guests start exploring the sights of the city from an underground base of submarines, which was top-secret during the Cold War.
It was used for repair and maintenance of submarines. There was also a nuclear weapons warehouse. This is the largest declassified military facility.
The plant was built in Mount Tavros. He is able to withstand a nuclear attack with a 100-kiloton bomb, 3 thousand workers were stationed here. Today it is the Balaclava Naval Museum. Here is the exposition of the Sheremetevs “Crimean War”.
Chembalo Fortress
This defensive structure was built by the Genoese. The slopes and top of Mount Katrona (Greek name) are occupied by fortifications. Today, the main tower of the fortress is almost destroyed. Artificially created paths and flights of stairs lead to the fortress of Chembalo, which originate from the Nazukin embankment.
Aya
This is the southern coastal cape of Crimea, located near Balaklava. Its name comes from the Greek word, which literally translates as "holy." This is a steep ledge reaching the base of Mount Kush-Kaya, its highest point is Kokiya-Kiya (557 meters).
At the foot of Cape Aiyi there are grottoes that have been used by sailors of the Black Sea Fleet for a long time to set up and shoot ship guns.
The cape is covered with woodland, which represents unique Mediterranean plants (about 500 species). The fauna of this territory is quite diverse - stone marten, weasel, roe deer, highland fox, wild boars, leopard snake.
Since 1982, a landscape reserve has been organized on the cape.
