Sevastopol
Trip Start
Jan 03, 2008
1
36
47
Trip End
Apr 27, 2008
Sevastopol,
Ukraine
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Sevastopol was established by Catherine the Great when Russia gained control of the Crimean region in 1783. It overlooks a strategic bay and is surrounded by the Crimean Range. The city's unique position on the Black Sea at the top of the Crimean Peninsula and its shipbuilding industry seem to be the primary economic supports for the city since the breakup of the Soviet Union.
We were able to walk around the city for a few hours and saw several war memorials commemorating the many battles that were waged on this peninsula. One in particular, was erected by the Soviets to honor the soldiers who held off the advance of German soldiers in 1941-42
Sevastopol Monument
. This memorial has an eternal flame burning and ceremonies to honor the war heroes are conducted each month. We were lucky to catch the changing of the guard and the placing of a wreath at the memorial. The soldiers looked very young. Both men and women were in the Honor guard, but only the men carried weapons. Apparently, those in Sevastopol still feel very close to Russia. The Russian Navy shares the use of the Ukrainian Naval base, for example, and there seems to be a general acceptance of the Russian military presence. Soviet memorials are very much in evidence and appear to be well maintained.
It was cold again today (about 48 degrees F) and raining. Still, it was a light rain, and didn't really get in the way of our exploration of the city. Sevastopol is hilly-but there are steps built into the hillsides to help pedestrians get around the city easily. There appears to be a lot of construction (and reconstruction) in the port and center city areas. We visited Vladimirsky Cathedral, a national shrine and church that is being repaired. The church suffered damage in WWII and was later restored. Bullet holes are in evidence in the pillars outside the cathedral.
The name Sevastopol (Greek for "venerable city") really suits this city of 32,000 people. It is in a beautiful setting, and it's clear that the old buildings here are respected and well-cared for. It is not a rich city but appears to be in a state of redevelopment and rebuilding.
