Crimea, Simeiz: sightseeing, description, history and interesting facts

Travelers who love warm sunny places, moreover with an abundance of magnificent landscapes, it is best to go to Simeiz. Attractions and entertainment are quite interesting. It is a small town in the Crimea, near Yalta.

In translation from Greek, Simeiz means "sign", or "point that is noticeable", (meaning - for sailors). Not far from the town, archaeologists discovered the remains of two ancient settlements of the Bronze Age. It is believed that the very first of these places were inhabited by brands. It was they, at the entrance to the harbor of enemy ships, set fire to a huge bonfire - a signal of danger for the whole district. In the early Middle Ages, this area belonged to the Byzantines. They built a small castle to protect themselves from nomads. The ruins of this building have survived to this day. Then, when the Byzantine Empire considerably weakened, the castle and the surrounding territory were captured by the Genoese. By the end of the fifteenth century, the Ottomans began to reign here, although the population remained Christian. But when in 1783 Simeiz entered the Russian Empire, then there were no Christians in him.

Simeiz Attractions: description

In Simeiz everything is amazing, inimitable and original to such an extent that it is simply impossible to see something like this in another place. Take at least the sea. Only here it is an unusual light blue, even a gently-turquoise color. The terrain is for every taste. Luxury villas, subtropical beaches, mountains with unusual and romantic names (Mount Cat, Virgo, Swanwing).

Tourists will be offered tours to these places. Mount Cat is named so because it resembles a graceful house animal, preparing to jump. At the top of the cliff is the fortress of Lyman-Kale. Built in the fourteenth century on the ruins of the defensive fortification of the Taurians, the castle perfectly preserved its structures.

What to see in Simeiz? Natural attractions here are really very beautiful. For example, the Rock Diva. It is also a magnificent natural monument. In addition, a favorite place for filmmakers. It was here that the shooting of the films "Amphibian Man", "Ten Little Indians", "Savages", "Safo". This rock is depicted on the arms of the city itself.

Probably, it is the Diva deserves special attention of those who came to Simeiz. Attractions near the city are also interesting. For example, in this zone there is the Panea rock. On it remained the remains of ancient defensive walls. Near the beach under the rock Diva and on the way to the cliff of Panea there is a park massif. In it grow cypresses, pines, palms. The park includes a juniper grove. Therefore, the air here is surprisingly clean, filled with the aromas of mighty trees. Behind the park is a cypress alley or the Apollo alley. Its name is more than eloquent, it speaks for itself. The middle of the avenue is occupied by several antique statues, separated by beautiful flower beds. On both sides of the clean asphalt paths in the frame of high cypresses, in the shade of which there are shops and a number of street lamps.

Villas "Xenia" and "Dream"

What else is famous for Simeiz? Attractions of the city, of course, attract travelers. Which of them deserve special attention? For example, the villa "Dream". In 1911 it was built. This is an amazingly beautiful two-story building. It is built in the oriental style. The building resembles the fairy palace of the padishah.

Two years later a villa "Xenia" was built nearby. It is noteworthy that her owner, Countess Chuykiewicz, never visited an elegant house resembling a castle in miniature, with sharp roofs, Gothic windows and balconies. The villa itself was eventually converted into a hotel, then to a house with communal apartments.

As a result, the beautiful and exquisite building came in a horrendously neglected appearance. Now the locals, not without a bitter bit of irony, call it "Haunted House".

Villa "Selby"

What other interesting buildings can be seen by those who visited Simeiz? Attractions that are worth seeing are the villas. Next - Villa "Selby". As the legend says, it was built on the eve of the wedding of the fine daughter of a merchant and a young cadet. The honeymoon of the newlyweds was interrupted by the First World War, then civil war. The married couple knew the forced separation from the homeland and death in a foreign land. The villa itself in the Soviet times was a very prestigious sanatorium. This is not surprising. After all, the architecture of the building is simply amazing. The two-story building with a deep semicircular niche of the front facade, high doors and windows, balconies decorated with forging, looks amazing. The building is a sample of the architectural style of Russian modernism.

Observatory

What can you see for those who came to Simeiz? Attractions of the city will be interesting for tourists. If they rise above the villas, they will be able to see the Simeiz Observatory. It is visible from the track with its turrets for telescopes and snow-white dome. Its creator is Maltsev. He conceived in 1900 to build an observatory at his own expense. At first it was a small building under one telescope, then more and more was being completed. When Maltsev met in 1908 with the astronomer of the Pulkovo Observatory, near St. Petersburg, Gansky, his interest in astronomy so increased that they were made a serious decision. He transferred his observatory to the Imperial Academy of Sciences. Unfortunately, like most advanced people of that time, Maltsev had to leave his homeland after the establishment of Soviet power. But the fate of the observatory so troubled its creator, that it constantly provided significant funds for its functioning, and also supplied the latest equipment. The building was badly damaged during the Second World War. But it was restored already in 1946. During the history of the observatory, 8 comets and 149 asteroids were discovered on it.

Juma-Jami

Truly interesting are the city of Simeiz itself, its sights. I would like to talk about one more thing. In Simeiz it is worthwhile to visit the building of the Juma-Jami mosque recently transferred to the faithful. Built in the very beginning of the twentieth century, the building with the advent of Soviet power was used as a kindergarten, a holiday home and even a police station. A beautiful minaret was destroyed as far back as 1922. In 1994 the mosque was transferred to Muslims. Completely restored was only sixteen years.

Interesting places

What else would be of interest to those who came to Simeiz? Attractions in the city are more modern. For example, a tribute to fashion - a wild nudist beach, which is always crowded.

And also the magnificent water park "Blue Bay". Near the water park there is a place for those who like to relax in tents. This is a well-equipped paid camping area, which is also guarded.

Conclusion

Now you know what Simeiz (Crimea) is famous for, we have considered its sights. We hope that the information about them was interesting and useful to you.