An atmospheric city saturated with some kind of magic. Having been here at least once, you fall in love with him forever. Balaklava is the native harbor of fishermen, a 20-minute drive from Sevastopol.
Outwardly, it is a five-story building and a small market. But the embankment and the surrounding area make this place just magical.
Expensive yachts were lined up along the coast, as if for a selection. A real museum on the water. Motor yachts, skiffs and boats are moored in a line. Their owners are ready to take everyone to the open sea for fishing or boat trips.
An interesting feature of Balaklava: when a storm rages, the bay remains calm. There are two city beaches here. One is located right on the waterfront. The second is on the other side of the bay. There you can also rent a kayak and go out to sea on your own.
Interesting Facts
Balaklava was the favorite place of the writer Alexander Kuprin. In 1904, he and his wife first stayed at a local hotel, and later bought a plot and built a house. The monument to Kuprin was erected right on the embankment of Balaklava: the writer gazed into the sea at numerous skiffs. Much was connected with Kuprin’s fishermen. Inspired by their stories, he wrote his famous Listrigones and other works. For an impartial essay “Events in Sevastopol” the writer was deported from here, and he was forced to sell the house.
Another high-profile story of Balaklava is associated with the treasures of the English ship “Black Prince”, which crashed here on November 14, 1854 during a terrible storm. For many years it was rumored that there was a British army salary in gold coins on board. And for more than a dozen years, foreign expeditions have been accompanying to Balaklava in attempts to find the treasure at the bottom. Only after a while the truth was revealed: the gold was unloaded on the way to Turkey. The ship came to Balaklava, loaded with only warm clothes for sailors.
What to see
The 14th century Genoese fortress, which is located here, is a historical monument and one of the oldest in the whole Crimea. It was poorly preserved, but what a view from above!
“The barrel of death”, or the observation post of the South Fort of Sevastopol, is located at an altitude of 340 meters above sea level. For what it is worth climbing up to this object – just for the stunning views!
You definitely need to take a tour of the underground museum, where the submarines were being repaired. The facility was under construction from 1953 to 1961. It is called “Object 825 GTS”. Its main goal is not only to repair submarines (there were seven of them in the tunnel), but also shelter if necessary, as well as storing ammunition. The length of the tunnel is 602 meters. The secret Cold War site was opened to tourists in 2003. Children under 5 years old are not allowed into the museum. You can take pictures for free, but filming is prohibited. The museum is open from 10.00 to 17.00, except Monday and Tuesday.
Balaklava History Museum – for those who like looking at antiques. There are many exhibits here: from buttons to cannonballs that bombed Sevastopol during the Crimean War. From May 1 to October 1, the doors of the museum are open every day from 9:00 to 19:00, with a break from 13:00 to 14:00. From October 2 to April 30, the museum is open on Monday, Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday.
If we talk about outdoor recreation in Balaklava, go on a passenger boat along the nearest beaches: “Vasili”, “Silver”, “Golden”, “Aya”. The water there is just perfect purity, and the environment of the mountains and the smell of pine needles makes the air healing.
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