Travelers who love warm sunny places, and even with an abundance of magnificent landscapes, it is best to go to Simeiz. Sightseeing and entertainment are quite interesting. This is a small town in Crimea, near Yalta.
Translated from the Greek language, Simeiz means “sign”, or “point that is noticeable” (meaning - for sailors). Near the town, archaeologists discovered the remains of two ancient settlements dating back to the Bronze Age. It is believed that the very first these places were populated by brands. It was they who, when entering the harbor of enemy ships, set fire to a huge bonfire - a signal of danger to the entire area. In the early Middle Ages, this area belonged to the Byzantines. It was they who built a small castle to protect against nomads. The ruins of this building have survived to this day. Then, when the Byzantine empire significantly weakened, the castle and the surrounding area were captured by the Genoese. By the end of the fifteenth century, the Ottomans began to dominate, although the population remained Christian. But when in 1783 Simeiz became part of the Russian Empire, then there were no more Christians in it.
Simeiz Attractions: Description
In Simeiz, everything is amazing, inimitable and original to such an extent that it is simply impossible to see something like this in another place. Take at least the sea. Only here is it an extraordinary light blue, even a pale turquoise color. Terrain - for every taste. Luxurious villas, subtropical beaches, mountains with unusual and romantic names (Mount Cat, Virgo, Swan Wing).
Tourists will be offered excursions to these places. Mount Cat is so named because it resembles a graceful domestic animal preparing for a jump. At the top of the cliff is the Limena-Kale fortress. Built in the fourteenth century on the ruins of the defensive fortifications of the Tauri, the castle perfectly preserved its structures.
What to see in Simeiz? Natural attractions here are really very beautiful. For example, Rock Diva. It is also a magnificent natural monument. In addition, a favorite place for filmmakers. It was here that the shooting of the films "Amphibian Man", "Ten Little Indians", "Savages", "Sappho" took place. This rock is depicted on the coat of arms of the city itself.
Probably, it is Diva who deserves special attention of those who came to Simeiz. Attractions near the city are also interesting. For example, the Panea rock is located in this zone. The remains of ancient defensive walls have been preserved on it. Not far from the beach under the Diva rock and on the way to the Panea rock, there is a park. Cypress, pine, palm trees grow in it. The park includes juniper grove. Therefore, the air here is surprisingly clean, filled with the aromas of mighty trees. Behind the park is a cypress alley or Apollo alley. Its name is more than eloquent, it speaks for itself. The middle of the alley is occupied by several antique statues separated by beautiful flower beds. On both sides are clean asphalt paths framed by tall cypress trees, in the shadow of which are benches and a row of lanterns.
Ksenia and Dream Villas
What else is Simeiz famous for? Sights of the city, of course, attract travelers. And which of them deserve special attention? For example, villa "Dream". In 1911, it was built. This is an amazingly beautiful two-story building. It is built in oriental style. The building resembles a fabulous padishah palace.
Two years later, Ksenia Villa was built nearby. It is noteworthy that her owner, Countess Chuykevich, never once visited an elegant house resembling a castle in miniature, with sharp roofs, Gothic windows and balconies. The villa itself was eventually converted into a hotel, then into a house with communal apartments.
As a result, a beautiful and elegant building came in a terribly neglected look. Now the locals, not without a share of bitter irony, call it the “Haunted House”.
Villa "Selby"
What other interesting buildings can be seen by those who visited Simeiz? Attractions worth seeing are the villas. Next up is Selby Villa. According to legend, it was built on the eve of the wedding of the beautiful daughter of a merchant and a young cunker. The honeymoon of the newlyweds was interrupted by the outbreak of the First World War, then the civil war. The married couple knew forced separation from their homeland and death in a foreign land. The villa itself in Soviet times was a very prestigious resort. This is not surprising. After all, the architecture of the building is simply amazing. The two-story building with a deep semicircular niche of the front facade, high doors and windows, forged balconies looks amazing. The building is an example of the architectural style of Russian Art Nouveau.
Observatory
What can you see for those who come to Simeiz? Sights of the city will be interesting to tourists. If they rise above the villas, they will be able to see the Simeiz Observatory. It is visible even from the track with its towers for telescopes and a snow-white dome. Its creator is Maltsev. He planned in 1900 to build an observatory at his own expense. At first it was a small building with just one telescope, then more and more was being completed. When Maltsev met in 1908 with the astronomer of the Pulkovo Observatory, near Gansky, near St. Petersburg, his interest in astronomy grew so much that he made a serious decision. He transferred his observatory to the Imperial Academy of Sciences. Unfortunately, like most advanced people of that time, Maltsev was forced to leave his homeland after the establishment of Soviet power. But the fate of the observatory bothered its creator so much that he constantly provided significant funds for its functioning, as well as supplied with the latest equipment. The building was badly damaged during the Second World War. But it was restored already in 1946. In the entire history of the observatory, 8 comets and 149 asteroids were discovered on it.
Juma jami
Truly interesting is the city of Simeiz, its sights. I would like to talk about one more thing. In Simeiz, it is worth visiting only the recently transferred to the faithful building of the Juma Jami Mosque. Built at the very beginning of the twentieth century, the building with the advent of Soviet power was used as a kindergarten, rest house and even a police station. The beautiful minaret was destroyed in 1922. In 1994, the mosque was transferred to Muslims. It was completely restored only after sixteen years.
Interesting places
What else will be interesting to those who came to Simeiz? Sights in the city are more modern. For example, a fashion tribute is a wild nudist beach, which is always crowded.
As well as the magnificent water park "Blue Bay". Near the water park is a place for lovers of camping. This is a well-equipped paid camping site, which is also guarded.
