What to See in Sevastopol

On his initiative, excavations were conducted at the site of Chersonesus Taurica in 1827. As a result, several remains of ancient Christian churches were found out at the center of the market square, including a cruciform basilica. In 1830 the historians Frédéric Dubois de Montpéreux and N. Murzakevich made the conjecture that Vladimir the Great was baptized in this basilica, which dispelled all doubts about the place of the future Church. The construction took 15 years and was finished in 1874-1876. Тhe consecration of the Cathedral took place on October 17 1891, though the final decorative design was complited only in 1894. As far back as 1859, the marble reliquary in form of Gospel with relics of Grand Prince St. Vladimir was passed from the Small Church of the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg to Chersonesus. After the building of Chersonesus Cathedral, his relics were placed in the Lower Church near the ruins of the ancient basilica. At the Upper Church altar is situated the list from the miracle-working Korsun icon of the Mother of God, which, according to legend, was brought from Chersonesus by Vladimir the Great. Altogether, the relics of 115 saints were passed to Cathedral. It was closed down by the Soviets in the 1920s and blown up by the Nazis in 1944. The work on its restoration began in the late 1990s, even though it was made more active only in 2000. The consecration of the high altar of St. Vladimir Cathedral in Chersonesus took place on April 3, 2004.

In the central basin, 2.5 meters deep and 9.2 m in diameter, live the inhabitants of the Black Sea: spurdog shark, beluga, sturgeons, big skates – sea bears. In the 12 wall aquariums, 7 cubic meters each, the fish, tortoises, shellfish, seaweeds and corals from all seas and oceans of the world are represented, including very rare and unusual ones. And nowadays Sevastopol aquarium-museum welcomes visitors introducing them to the fauna of the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian oceans, the Black, Mediterranean and Red seas, as well as the inhabitants of the tropical waters, the reptiles and amphibians from different parts of the world.

The original building of the theatre was destroyed during the Second World War. The group of architects from Moscow headed by V. Pelevin worked out the project of a new building in classic style. Renewed theatre was opened in fall of 1957 on Primorsky Boulevard. The auditorium has 742 seats. The theatre has its own studios and workshops that make stage properties, scenery and costumes. Lunacharsky theatre also stages summer perfomances at the remains of the ancient (4th century B.C) amphitheatre inside the "Chersonesus Taurica" National Preserve.

However, the dolphin show is based on various combinations of trainers swimming with dolphins. After the performance, those, who will, can take photos with the most loved sea animals and swim in a small pool with dolphins at extra cost. Some scientists say that sound signals of dolphins make biological resonance, stimulate the production of endorphins, the hormones that make psychological and emotional state better, improve vegetative nervous functions, and tone up.

foggy bell', made of melted-down Turkish cannons in the late 1700s, which was taken to Paris after the Crimean War and returned in 1914. Tourists swarm all over the ancient monuments with little respect for their antiquity. Few signs tell you what is what. Still, the atmosphere is nice. Consider bringing your swimming gear - the locals do, because there's a narrow but beautiful beach located in the grounds. It's listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Equipped with two moorings at 135 meters and 200 meters, the terminal has the capacity to accommodate passenger cruises with a draught of 4 and 8 meters, respectively. The image of the Count's Landing Stage has become a specific emblem of the hero-city: the whole history of Sevastopol from foundation to the present days relates to this architecture monument. There are many excursions by boat on the Bay of the city. It takes 30 minutes.

The cathedral was the site of the tombs of the Russian Imperial admirals Lazarev, Nakhimov, Kornilov and Istomin, which were destroyed by the Soviets in 1931. The church sustained further damage in the Second World War. One can admire the view of Sevastopol harbor from the top of the Central City Hill, where the Cathedral is located.

A couple of doors further down ul. Lenina is the Church of the Black Sea Fleet.

To date it displays about 8,000 paintings, sculptures, drawings, engravings and items of decorative and applied art of different times and countries.

It's narrated in Russian but you can hire an audioguide in English or French.

ormerly a secret Russian submarine base.