The most recognizable place in Sochi is the Marine Station. The tower is decorated with sculptures that symbolize the seasons and the cardinal points. And on the spire with a height of 71 meters, a three-meter star is installed – an enlarged copy of the star of the Order of the Great Patriotic War of the 1st degree.
The station is part of the operating seaport. It can accommodate vessels up to 220 meters in length. From here, pleasure boats also go every day, and tourists have the opportunity to look at the city from the sea.
Today, expensive boutiques are located in the station building, and snow-white yachts stand at the berths. Nearby there is a pretty park with palm trees, oleanders, box trees and rose bushes.
The Marine Station is not only one of the favorite places for walking. He also entered the cinema. Remember the scene of farewell to the family of Semyon Semyonovich Gorbunkov in the “Diamond Hand”? The episode of the film was filmed here. Now sculptures with the faces of the actors Papanov, Mironov, Nikulin and Grebeshkova stand on Voikov Street and look directly at the port.
History of the Marine Station
The history of the Marine Station began with two marinas – so simple and unreliable that they were smashed by storms. At the end of the 19th century, ships came to the shores of Sochi only in good weather, mainly in summer. When the sea was rough, steamers carrying passengers could not stop here for several weeks.
Later, Sochi began to develop as a resort, so it became necessary to build a port. And then the station, the project of which was approved by Joseph Stalin. He was close to the architecture in the Empire style. Therefore, you will see that the building is built with columns, stucco, sculpture. Its huge spire is often compared to the spire of the Admiralty in St. Petersburg.
Construction was completed already under Nikita Khrushchev, and the Marine Terminal opened in 1955.
What to see
Stucco moldings, mosaics, mirrors – every detail inside the Marine Station attracts. As if you are not in the port at all, but in some museum. Unless the boutiques located here will smear the impression.
Once outside, look up and find sculptures representing the seasons – on the first tier, cardinal points – on the second, and count 12 dolphins at the base of the spire.
In the center of the park on the territory of the port, you will not pass by the Navigation fountain with a large sculpture of the goddess – the patroness of seafarers. She is holding a compass and a map. It is believed to help ships stay on track.
Take a look into the cherry orchard in front of the building. Can you smell this scent?
After such a walk, go to the station from the sea side. There are benches where you can sit comfortably and look at the sea in which yachts, boats and sailboats sway quietly.
Marine terminal at different times of the year
Spring is the best time to visit the Sochi port. The blooming cherry garden is incredibly beautiful! Tourists at this time are several times less than during the beach season. You can safely walk around the square, as well as see all the sculptures inside the station.
In summer it is one of the most visited places in the resort. The yachts sparkle with their whiteness in the sun, the park is fragrant with roses. Navigation is open, and tourists go on boat trips along the Black Sea coast. From here the cruise liner “Prince Vladimir” departs for the Crimea. The South Pier Square hosts festivities throughout the season.
In the second half of autumn, the port becomes quieter, tourists leave. But if you find yourself here in the off-season, sit down with the local fishermen to learn the secrets of sea fishing.
In winter, you should dress warmly for walking around the train station. Although Sochi and the subtropics, but the wind from the sea is quite cold.
