Chersonesus Tauricais an ancient Greek colony founded approximdtely 2,500 years ago in the southwestern part of Crimea, known then as Taurica. The colony was established in the 6th century BC by settlers from Heraclea Pontica. The remains of the city defense walls, houses, public places, basements, wells, and cemetery are within the
territory of modern Sevastopol. They were excavated by the
Russian government, starting
from 1827. They are today a popular tourist attraction,
protected by the state as an archaeological park.
The buildings mix influences of Greek, Roman and Byzantine culture. The defensive wall is hundreds of meters long. Buildings include a Roman amphitheatre and a Greek temple. The history of the city is still being worked out on details which are now preserved in the Middle Ages Museum. The remains of the antique basilicas attract the
attention of the visitors by the well-proportioned white marble columns.
Well-preserved mosaic floors were discovered in one of the buildings and are now exhibited in the shelters along one of the alleys of the reserve as well as in the museum,
located on 2 buildings of the
former monastery. It is also a cradle of Christianity in ancient Russia. A light summer pavilion is built on the supposed spot of
christening Prince Vladimir
who managed to include Kievan Rus into the number of civilized Christian states. The monument to Prince Vladimir is located in and out of the territory of the reserve.
The largest portion of the site is "Chora", several square kilometers of ancient but now barren farmland, with remains of wine presses and defensive towers.
performances are also conducted near Zenon Tower.
The antique theatre was supposedly built in the middle of the III century BC. The fights of gladiators were arranged here in the
epoch of the early Roman presence. Nowadays the Sevastopol actors and the participants of the theater festivals perform on the
stage of the theater. The
Apart from the museum and exhibitions, there are a beautiful pebble and rocky beaches that make spending a day in this open air complex especially enjoyable.
Price of the tour – 35-60 uah (5-7$) Photo, video – 20-25 uah (3$) Opening hours – 9:00-19:00