The pearl of the beautiful southern coast of Crimea is the Yalta resort. A city surrounded by greenery, surrounded by majestic mountains. The picturesque place creates conditions for a carefree beach holiday, cultural entertainment and acquaintance with unique architectural objects. Against the background of natural beauty, numerous parks, historical buildings with luxuriously decorated facades and entertainment complexes appear before the eyes of tourists. The sights of Yalta are located not only in the city itself, but also in nearby villages.
Bird home
On the edge of the cliff of Cape Ai-Todor, one of the symbols of the South Coast of Crimea, the Gothic castle "Swallow's Nest", rises. A small palace, which is 12 meters high, was built in the style of medieval architecture. A round tower with spiers, battlements, narrow lancet windows remind of the times of valiant knights. The attraction acquired its modern appearance at the beginning of the 20th century, when the oil industrialist Baron Steingel wanted to recreate the romance of the architecture of German castles in the Crimea.
The project was implemented by the architect Leonid Sherwood. Under his leadership, a stone Gothic structure appeared on a 40-meter-high picturesque sheer cliff. In the midst of anti-German sentiment that arose after the outbreak of the First World War, the baron sold the Swallow's Nest to a Moscow merchant, who opened a restaurant in the palace. Tourists can get aesthetic pleasure from admiring the castle from the top of the observation deck, as well as from the sea.
Dulber Palace
In the village of Koreiz, the magnificent Dulber Palace, built in the Moorish style, rises. This masterpiece of oriental architecture was erected in 1897 for Prince Peter Romanov, who was the uncle of Emperor Nicholas II. The palace is an elongated white building with silvery domes, battlements, arcaded galleries, balconies and arched window openings. The facade of the building is decorated with blue ornaments and colored mosaics, embodying the motives of oriental culture.
Dulber Palace is surrounded by an amazingly beautiful garden with several terraces. Cypresses, junipers, palms, fir and other evergreen conifers grow here. On the territory of the garden there is a fountain, a gazebo and a swimming pool. Near the palace, in a stone wall covered with braids of ivy, a decorative niche with a medallion has been preserved, which depicts the initials of the owners of the estate.
Vorontsov Palace
The summer residence of the Governor of the Novorossiysk Territory, Count M.S. Vorontsov is a popular attraction of Big Yalta. The combination of different architectural styles of the monumental palace complex amazes with the gracefulness of its forms. The castle, erected in the first half of the 19th century, majestically rises above the natural beauty of the Crimean.
The rocky peaks of the mountains and the emerald waters of the Black Sea appear. Around is a charming subtropical park with winding paths, several artificial reservoirs, open areas, fountains and sculptural compositions. Visitors to the architectural complex will have a pleasant walk along well-groomed alleys with plane trees, pines, magnolias and cypresses. The facades of the Vorontsov Palace have a characteristic Gothic and oriental design.
Here you can see strict vertical ledges, battlements, towers, high arches, minarets, delicate carvings and graceful thin columns. The luxurious furnishings of the interior of the castle amaze you. Antique furniture is placed in numerous rooms. The premises are decorated with an abundance of unique historical exhibits. These are paintings, statues, tapestries, carpets, vases, fanciful candlesticks and much more.
Massandra Palace
At the foot of the mountain, surrounded by forest, the fabulously beautiful Massandra Palace was erected. The estate is located in the village of Verkhnyaya Massandra, which is 5 kilometers from the city. According to the architectural concept, the three-story building was supposed to serve as the summer residence of the imperial couple and was not intended for ceremonial receptions. The castle built at the beginning of the 20th century was never inhabited by the monarch. The royal family came here only once, having spent a day's walk in the picturesque surroundings, but did not stay for the night.
The palace fits harmoniously into the surrounding landscape gardening. The estate is surrounded by small flower beds, stairs and sculptures. The terraces are framed by a stone balustrade with flowerpots. Green lawns with tall trees spread around. The facade of the castle makes an indelible impression. Numerous turrets of various shapes with sharp spiers, walls lined with yellow tiles, a gallery with columns, balconies, high chimneys, decorative ornaments give the building a cozy fabulous look.
Yusupov Palace
In the resort village of Koreiz, an elegant palace, built at the beginning of the 20th century for one of the richest aristocratic dynasties of the Russian Empire, the Yusupovs, soars up. After the revolution, the architectural masterpiece was nationalized by the Soviet government and served as a resting place for the party elite. Later, the building was used as the summer residence of I.V. Stalin. The appearance of the small palace characteristically conveys the features of the austere and monumental neo-Romanesque architectural style combined with elements of the Renaissance architecture.
The facades of the asymmetrical structure, the walls of which are made of marble-like limestone, are decorated with arched galleries with graceful rows of colonnades, as well as lancet and square windows with decorated platbands. The park territory of the estate deserves special attention. The building is surrounded by numerous green spaces. Palm trees, cypresses, thujas, acacias and plane trees grow here. A variety of flower beds and curly shrubs delight the eye. The park is replete with marble statues of lions and mythical heroes. Shady alleys, fountains, artificial reservoirs create coolness in the summer heat.
Livadia Palace
Among the picturesque landscape park on the slope of the mountain, the architectural pearl of the Crimea - the Livadia Palace - stands majestically. This exquisitely beautiful snow-white estate was the favorite summer residence of the last Russian emperor Nicholas II. The palace was erected in 1911 under the direction of the architect Nikolai Krasnov. The architectural style of the building meets the canons of the Italian Renaissance. Lightness, airiness and elegance of the exterior decoration of the building are given by openwork stucco ornaments, columns and arched arcades. The facade of the palace stretched along the park has an asymmetrical shape.
The building is crowned with a balustrade. Around there is a luxurious garden with neat droshky, gazebos, fountains and well-groomed alleys. Lush coniferous and deciduous trees, shrubs, flower beds create a wonderful fragrant atmosphere. The palace complex gained worldwide fame in 1945, when the Yalta Conference was held within its walls. Here the post-war fate of the world was decided, as evidenced by the monumental sculptural composition of the figures of Stalin, Churchill and Roosevelt.
Palace of the Emir of Bukhara
An amazingly beautiful architectural creation, built in the Moorish style, is located next to the waterfront. The palace of the Emir of Bukhara seemed to have descended from the pages of a book of oriental fairy tales. The Muslim prince Seyid Abdul Ahan Khan, who was friends with the imperial family of the Romanovs, acquired a plot of Yalta land, on which in 1910 he erected a future architectural monument.
The two-story asymmetrical building is richly decorated with fine carvings and alabaster stucco moldings. Faceted towers, silvery domes, pilasters, horseshoe-shaped window openings and jagged parapets give the snow-white facade a special exoticism. Today the palace is one of the buildings of the sanatorium. It houses a library and an aromatherapy treatment room.
Cable car "Yalta - Gorka"
Making a pleasant walk along the embankment, tourists can go on a short trip by cable car - "Yalta-Gorka". This attraction has been pleasing the guests of the resort since 1967. Oval and cramped booths, designed for two people, slowly move in a row over the crowns of trees, the roofs of old houses, various buildings of the city quarter.
The ascent is carried out without stopping. From a bird's eye view, panoramic views of the enchanting natural landscapes of the mountains and the emerald sea open up. The length of the track is 600 meters. The end point of the cable car is Darsan Hill. At an altitude of 120 meters above sea level there is an observation deck, a memorial complex "Eternal Flame" and a cozy cafe.
Tsar's (Sunny) trail
The Sunny or Tsar's path was laid at the beginning of the 20th century between the Livadia Palace and the Ai-Todor estate in Gaspra. Fans of outdoor activities can hit the road to the favorite walking places of Emperor Nicholas II. The historic seven kilometers of hiking trail runs along a mountain range in a shady forest. The asphalt path has no sharp ups and downs, so the walk will bring great pleasure to tourists.
The highlight of the wide and gently sloping Royal Road is the magnificent colonnaded rotunda built on the edge of a steep cliff. Here the emperor could observe the azure sea, mountain peaks and inspect his Crimean possessions. Coniferous, beech and juniper stands shade the entire trail. There are many equipped benches where you can relax while enjoying the clean air, picturesque surroundings and tranquility.
Winery "Massandra"
Crimea has long been famous for the production of exquisite wines. The local subtropical climate contributes to the favorable ripening of the drink. On the slope of the mountain is one of the largest domestic wineries "Massandra", founded in 1894 by Prince L. Golitsyn.
The winery is a complex of buildings, under which there are seven tunnels with a length of 150 m. In the underground rooms, where the temperature is kept within the range of + 10-12 degrees year-round, countless oak barrels and glass bottles with wine are stored. Here you can see the most rare and valuable wines, recognized as the best in the world. On the territory of the plant there is a museum, a tasting room and a small bar.
Nikitsky Botanical Garden
The unsurpassed Nikitsky Botanical Garden is located six kilometers from the city. This place pleases visitors all year round with a variety of flora with its wonderful colors and aromas of flower beds. On an area of 280 hectares, a large collection of flora is collected, consisting of more than 18 thousand species and varieties of various crops. Nikitsky Botanical Garden was founded in 1812 by the order of Emperor Alexander I. The main inspirer and creator of the fragrant park was the Swedish naturalist H. Steven.
The scientist was engaged in the cultivation of exotic fruit plants that had to adapt to the local Crimean climate. Along the winding paths paved with tiles, avenues of numerous coniferous and deciduous trees stretch out, the abundance of which is breathtaking. Here you can walk under the crowns of the majestic and centuries-old pines, oaks, cedars, cypresses, sequoias and plane trees. A bamboo and olive grove, a greenhouse of cacti, as well as flower beds of exquisite flowers attract attention.
Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
One of the central attractions is the Orthodox Cathedral of Alexander Nevsky, towering at the foot of Mount Darsan among evergreen coniferous and palm trees. The temple was built at the dawn of the last century in memory of the murdered Emperor Alexander II. Square in plan, this outstanding creation in the style of Old Russian architecture impresses with its beauty and majesty. The facades of the church are clad in shades of white, yellow and pink.
Golden domes, a hipped porch, pilasters and numerous intricate ornamentation evoke a feeling of delight. Of interest is a mosaic panel depicting Prince Alexander Nevsky, made by Venetian masters. The interior of the cathedral is decorated with icons and frescoes. The interiors of the church are painted with colorful paintings with small drawings of holy images.
Aquapark "Atlantis"
Adherents of active entertainment will love a visit to the Atlantis water park. The open-air water complex is located in a picturesque area of Yalta, where hills rise up on one side, and endless sea surface on the other. The water park is designed in the style of the legendary civilization of Atlantis. Stone slabs, monumental architectural ensembles and statues of gods immerse you in the atmosphere of an exciting adventure. The territory includes breathtaking water attractions, playgrounds with slides, several swimming pools with comfortable sun loungers and catering establishments.
Uchan-Su waterfall
On the southern slope of the majestic mountains that frame the city, there is a magically mesmerizing natural landmark of the southern coast of Crimea - the Uchan-Su waterfall. An endless and thundering stream of water rushes into the abyss from a hundred-meter huge rock, filling the healing air with the freshness of small sprays.
A breakaway cascading water plume surrounds a relict resinous pine forest. The trees are more than several hundred years old. The waterfall is formed by a mountain river, the source of which is formed at an altitude of about 400 meters above sea level. The full-flowing power and beauty of Uchan-Su can be appreciated only in early spring after the melting of glaciers or during heavy rainfall. In hot summer, the miracle of nature dries up and a thin stream of a stream appears to tourists.
Zoo "Fairy Tale"
Surrounded by the Crimean Mountains and amidst lush vegetation, there is the Skazka Private Zoo. This picturesque place gives visitors a lot of pleasant impressions. The ennobled area is a vivid example of landscape art with multi-level terraces, green spaces, sculptural compositions and fountains. Here you can feel the atmosphere of harmonious unity of man and animals. More than 1,500 animals live in spacious enclosures covered with a special net or protected by glass panels.
For the inhabitants of the zoo, excellent conditions have been created, as close as possible to the natural environment of the wild. The guests of the zoo are mesmerized by the variety of vivid representatives of the fauna. The most attention is attracted by the graceful and formidable family of cats: lions, tigers and leopards. Eagles, vultures and ostriches gaze proudly at visitors. It is interesting to observe the behavior of monkeys, amusingly frolicking in their cages. Giraffes, camels, zebras and bears evoke rapturous feelings in children. Zoo "Fairy Tale" guarantees a charge of joy and a great pastime.
Yalta Crocodilarium
A relatively new attraction of the resort - Crocodilarium will allow you to diversify your walk along the embankment. This place will surprise lovers of amphibians, reptiles and reptiles. The pets of the establishment are divided into thematic rooms, in which aviaries and aquariums are installed. More than a hundred species of crocodiles live here. Predators of different sizes swim in the pool or lie on rocks awaiting prey. Their formidable appearance, cold-blooded eyes and sharp teeth evoke fear.Besides the large number of crocodiles, visitors can see numerous turtles, pythons, iguanas and frogs.
Roffe Baths
One of the pearls of the embankment is the historic building, which housed the baths of the wealthy French merchant A.I. Roffe. This building, which appeared in 1897, was popular among famous creative people, scientists and aristocrats. The baths were filled with heated sea water, which, as a result, had a healing effect on the body of visitors. A. Chekhov, I. Bunin and F. Shalyapin were among the guests of the medical baths.
An amazingly snow-white architectural building is decorated with a ceremonial horseshoe-shaped portal in the Moorish style. Pointed windows, graceful plaster moldings attract the attention of vacationers. On the facade of the building is carved in Arabic script - "Be blessed like water." Today, instead of the Roffe baths, there is an elite hotel. In front of the building you can see the "Lady with the Dog" monument.
Museum of sculpture and floristry "Glade of fairy tales"
"Glade of Fairy Tales" is a famous park that was laid out on the slope of wooded mountains in the early 60s of the XX century. It was awarded the status of a museum complex. The well-groomed area attracts adults and children with a variety of sculptural compositions of fairy-tale and cartoon characters. Characters of literary works of the peoples of the world are made of wood, metal, plaster, bronze and stone. There are about 300 units of magnificent statues in the park.
On the forest edge in the open air, such recognizable figures as Pinocchio, Little Red Riding Hood, Snow Maiden, Kid and Karslon, Mowgli, Three Little Pigs, Princess Swan, Ole Lukkoye and many other sculptures appear before the guests of the park. All expositions are signed, so visitors will easily remember all the heroes they loved from childhood. An interesting place in the Glade of Fairy Tales is the Hut on Chicken Legs. After the announcement of the famous spell, the building turns in front of the audience and the mistress of the house, Baba Yaga, appears on the porch.
Embankment
The main and favorite place for walking around the amazing Yalta is the V.I. Lenin. This "heart" of the resort is famous for its wide and long pedestrian avenue that stretches along the emerald Black Sea. Here you can enjoy a pleasant promenade, enjoying the surrounding mountain ranges, the abundance of green spaces and the availability of entertainment for every taste. The enchanting landscapes captivate the spirit. Buildings of the 19th century with decorated facades are lined up along the street. These are restaurants, banks, boutiques, shops and souvenir shops.
Sculptural compositions and benches are installed under the crowns of lush coniferous and palm trees. Beautiful yachts, boats and impressive cruise ships are moored in the water area of the city. A special atmosphere of a festive carnival stays on the embankment around the clock. Music plays everywhere, bright lights shine, and street performers, dancers, mimes and artists delight guests with their talents. For children, there are playgrounds with various attractions. Adults are happily greeted by cozy cafes and restaurants.
Foros park
One of the best landscape gardening complexes in Crimea is located in the village of Foros. The picturesque park of the small resort was founded in 1834. More than 200 different types of exotic trees and plants have been planted on an area of 70 hectares. For the richness of flora and beauty of the landscape, Foros Park is a worthy competitor to the Nikitsky Botanical Garden. Well-groomed alleys, along which the trunks of evergreen coniferous and deciduous trees rush upwards, are impressive.
The territory is divided into three zones. The upper part is a dense forest with winding paths. The middle zone was named "Paradise". Here six artificial reservoirs with lilies and fish are connected by a cascade. The banks of the ponds are lined with cypress, pine and cedar groves, and are also decorated with gazebos, sculptures and massive stones. The lower part of the park is the sea coast with long piers.
