The Black Sea, hot weather, pebbles and red wine are all about the Crimean peninsula in the words of all the inhabitants of Russia. The peninsula has changed little in recent decades, so it can easily be described by residents of the Soviet and post-Soviet periods. There are famous objects that tourists from all over the world come to see.
But the main attraction of Crimea is its nature. The peninsula is small, but rich and diverse. Here in one day you can visit the cave, in the forest and in the lake.
Reasonable prices and treatment at well-known resorts attract residents of all countries. Families with young children, noisy young people and the elderly come here.
In the article you will learn interesting facts about the Crimea, which will make you postpone trips to Turkey and go to explore the Crimean nature and drink delicious red wine.
10. Originally called Tavrida
Tauris or Tauris - the oldest name of the Crimea. The so-called fertile Crimean lands adjoining from the north were officially called. Probably, they got such a name from the population, which they called Taurus.
The history of this place is associated with many legends. The first king of the ancient Taurus people, according to Herodotus, was Toas, who lived 1250 BC.
But a more modern version says that this territory got its name because of the ancient name of the constellation Taurus - Taurus. In the modern world, this name is very popular, the so-called asteroid, discovered in 1916.
9. Three natural and climatic zones in the territory
The landscapes of Crimea are incredibly beautiful and this is not surprising, because there are different natural and climatic territories. They create a real natural treasure from the peninsula. Tourists can visit immediately in the steppes, and in the mountains and in dense forests.
More than half of the peninsula is occupied by steppes, it was here that man was founded. The indigenous inhabitants of Crimea are proud of their fertile lands. But, unfortunately, there are very few wild forests here, and unique animals have been placed in reserves due to a sharp decline in the population. The climate here is surprisingly hot, so this place is called the best resort in our country.
8. In the cave of Kyik-Kob, archaeologists have found traces of Neanderthals
According to the official version, a man first came to the Crimean lands from 100 to 300 thousand years ago. But a recent fact has led many scientists to study this issue more deeply. They made an incredible discovery on the South Bank and put science at a standstill.
In the caves discovered tools that are not less than 800 thousand years old. These findings could only belong to the Pithecanthropus, so there was practically no doubt that the island was inhabited long before the date indicated in all textbooks.
Archaeologists have found a real factory of ancient tools in the cave of Kyik-Koba. Therefore, it is believed that the first people who came to the peninsula were Neanderthals.
7. The largest bay of the European part of the former USSR is located
This bay is located along the city of Sevastopol, which is why it got its name - Sevastopol. It is the largest bay not only in Crimea, but throughout the European part of the former USSR.
The total length is almost 8 kilometers, starting from the entrance capes to the mouth of the Chernaya River. The maximum width is only 1.4 kilometers. This is the most convenient place to build a port. It never freezes and is one of the most convenient for navigation and location.
6. The longest trolleybus route in the world passes through the peninsula.
The longest trolleybus route is 86 kilometers. It passes through large cities - Simferopol and Yalta. This object was built and commissioned in just 11 months; this period turned out to be a record one. At first, conductors worked on the route, which simultaneously served as tour guides.
5. The highest tower in the CIS is located
Many tourists visit the peninsula to look at the highest tower in the CIS. The tower of the Evpatoria lighthouse is really the highest in the CIS - 52 meters. The range of the main lamp reaches 20 miles.
4. Pushkin rested in the Crimea and wrote several works here
Alexander Sergeyevich Pushkin is a great Russian poet, who has become a real asset of our homeland, domestic and world culture. It was Pushkin who gave the Russian language many new words, and the poet himself owned about a dozen languages. No wonder, because his home library totaled more than three and a half thousand books.
More than one generation of children has grown on his poems, and monuments to him stand far beyond the borders of Russia, for example, in China and Ethiopia. Alexander Sergeyevich took ideas for inspiration from various sources - nature, history, close people, folklore, and, of course, women, in whose society he was seen many times.
Pushkin, once, visited the Crimean peninsula in order to rest and improve his health. He was so inspired by the beauty of the area that he wrote several works, and many scenes from Onegin reflect his personal feelings from the trip.
3. Pontic king Mithridates VI Eupator hid from enemies in Kerch
The Pontic ruler Mithridates VI Eupator was born in 132 BC and was a magnificent, talented and highly educated ruler. He managed to create a very powerful army and take possession of many lands, and his fleet totaled more than 400 ships. At that time, these were very impressive numbers.
But his accession was preceded by a series of bloody events arranged by his enemies. One of them was his own mother Mithridates and brothers. Killing was at that time an effective and popular method of getting rid of competitors, so the future emperor was hunted.
But he was smarter than his enemies, prepared for this literally from childhood. When the situation escalated especially hard, Mithridates VI Eupator hid from enemy mercenaries and his own relatives in the territory of modern Kerch.
2. Prince Vladimir was baptized in Chersonese
Prince Vladimir, who adopted Christianity and planted it in Russia, was baptized in Crimea. This happened back in 988 and was preceded by the siege of the city of Chersonesos, which belonged to the Byzantine Empire at that time.
In order to establish strong diplomatic ties with Byzantium, he decided to intermarry with the emperor Vasily, demanding for his wife his sister, whose name was Anna. Vasily promised to give it only in return for Vladimir's adoption of Christianity, which was the state religion of the empire.
After baptism and marriage in Kherson, Vladimir returned to Kiev and began to spread Christianity in his lands, destroying previously built pagan temples.
1. Sevastopol - a city in which a huge number of historical monuments are located
On the shores of the Black Sea lies the very beautiful city of Sevastopol. In addition to its importance to the Russian Navy, Sevastopol is an important element of the historical and cultural heritage of our country. This city, located on the Crimean peninsula, stores a huge number of monuments.
It is worth noting that according to the records it was here that Grand Duke Vladimir was baptized. In Sevastopol is the oldest aqueduct, several historical panoramas reminiscent of the military glory of the city. In addition to the familiar monuments and memorials in the sunniest city of Russia, there is one of the ancient cemeteries.