The mighty Genoese Fortress is Sudak's main decoration and one of the most interesting historic and architectural monuments in Crimea. It has perfectly preserved not just its outer look, but also an inimitable medieval spirit and romance. Occupying 30 hectares of land, this unique fortification complex is situated at the ancient coral reef - Krepostnaya Gora (Fortress's Mountain) - that soars in a

In the Middle Ages Feodosiya's Genoese Fortress was one of the most powerful fortification systems in Europe. Over time it lost its former grandeur and impregnability, but even today its threatening towers and walls, standing in different parts of the town, make a strong impression. The massive defensive complex was built here in the 14th century by the Genoese, which needed to protect their large

The name of the Russian prominent marine painter Ivan Aivazovsky, whose pictorial works are shown in different museums of the world, is strongly tied with Feodosiya's history, and the National Art Gallery of his name is one of the town's main decorations. Its vast exposition has no analogues in the whole world and is situated in the building, where the famous writer lived and worked. Aivazovsky wa

The ancient Armenian Church of the St. Sergiy is among Feodosiya's most interesting architectural monuments. The temple, built in the middle of the 14th century, is one of the few medieval cultic buildings on the Crimea's territory that remained intact until now. Built according to all Armenian medieval architectural canons, the Church of the St. Sergiy is notable for simple and airy forms. Its ma

The Khan's Palace situated at the very center of the Old Town is the Bakhchysarai's brightest sight and one of the few large monuments remained from the Crimean Khanate's times. The Khansarai served as family residence of the Girays dynasty - the rulers of the Crimean state - for two and a half centuries, and now it is the only sample of the Crimean Tatar palatial architecture in the world. Its co

Mangup Kale is the biggest cavern fortress on the Crimean peninsula. It is located at the top of Mangup Mountain that stands above three picturesque valleys. The plateau, located at the height of almost 600 meters (1,968 feet) above the sea level, has a peculiar form: from above, it looks like a palm with four capes acting as ‘fingers.’ Nature made this area impregnable: on three sides, the platea

This palace is the most elegant and unusual palace on Crimea’s southern coast. Located in a remote picturesque place, surrounded by forest and mountains, the Massandra Palace, with its fanciful architecture, is reminiscent of a fairytale castle. With its construction beginning in 1881, it was being built for prince Semyon Vorontsov based on the blueprints of a talented architect Etienne Bouchard.

The tiny Gothic castle is set, like a swallow’s nest, on the steep Cape of Ai-Todornot cliffs, far from Yalta. It is one of Crimea’s best known trademarks. This elegant building is reminiscent of the castles on the banks of the Rhine, and is considered to be one of the most interesting architectural and historical monuments on the peninsula. The castle, which at first used to be wooden, got its u

This architectural monument to Romanticism is one of the shiniest pearls in the necklace that is Crimea. Created by people in tandem with nature, the Vorontsov Palace has amazed guests with its original look for almost two centuries. The Palace was build in the middle of the 19th century as summer residence of Russian statesman, Prince Mikhail Vorontsov, who was the governor-general of Russia’s s