Been there | Sevastopol Profile

Monument to the scuttled ships, Sevastopol
Photo:John Webber

Naval gazing

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One of Ukraine’s southernmost cities, Sevastopol nestles near the foot of the western side of the Crimean peninsula. It is home to the navy and in Soviet times was a key port for the Russians, who still share the facilities today. Consequently, it has only recently opened to tourists – even nationals were not allowed to visit here prior to 1991.

For such a key military location, it is surprisingly pleasing on the eye, especially if you arrive by boat where a gentle hill rises behind the little fishing harbour. The whole area surrounding Sevastopol resonates for the British visitor with names from schoolday history lessons – Alma, Balaklava, Inkerman and of course there’s the ‘valley of death’ itself, where the Charge of the Light Brigade took place.

Historically, the Crimea is home to the Tatars of Turkic origin, so there is Islamic influence here too. All in all, a heady and fascinating mix for the traveller.

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