The city of Crimea republic.
Alushta is a well known resort city of Crimea Republic, Ukraine. Alushta is situated in the southern part of Crimean peninsula. Current name of the city is similar to original Greek name of the settlement - Alouston.
The population of Alushta city is about 40,000 (2010).
Alushta phone code is +380 6560; postal codes are 98500-98519.
The fortress Aluston was constructed by the order of Emperor Yustinian I in 6th century.
In Middle Ages it was an important strong point for all the states possessing the southern coast of the Crimea. The Italians called the town Lusta. Only two towers of a medieval fortress survived.
At the end of 19th - early 20th centuries Alushta started becoming a popular resort and received the town status in 1902.
Alushta was heavily damaged in World War II during German occupation of the city, which lasted from November 4, 1941 to April 15, 1944. More than 500 people died, 231 were taken away to work in Germany. The city became even more deserted after the deportation of Crimean Tatars in May 18, 1944.
In the postwar years, Alushta developed as a seaside resort; a lot of new sanatoriums were built.
The climate of Alushta city territory is characterized by hot summers and mild winters. The average temperature in the coldest month - February is 2,9 degs C above zero, in the hottest month - July is 28,3 degs C above zero.
The climate is dry, with most precipitation from October to February. The water temperature never falls below 8 degs C above zero even in the coldest season. The average temperature of water from May to October is 17,5 degs C above zero. It’s the warmest sea from July to September with the temperature 22-23 degs C above zero.
Storms are rare and short in summer. A lot of sun, fresh air, warm sea and picturesque mountains - these are important factors which make Alushta a beautiful climatic resort.
Alushta city, Ukraine view
Alushta city view
Alushta city picture
Outstanding natural beauty of Alushta and its surroundings was used while shooting famous Soviet movie “Caucasian Captive”.
In Alushta there is a ferro-concrete structures and parts production plant and a milk-producing plant. There are also 4 wine-producing plants in the city. The industry is aimed at services; main profit of the citizens and those coming here from other regions of Crimea and Ukraine in order to make money is linked with the tourists.
Free Wi-Fi is available at the territory of Alushta embankment starting from the Telephone office and ending at the Monument to dead Tavrida government.
Since 1959 there is unique for former Soviet Union states trolley-bus line Simferopol - Alushta which was extended to Yalta in 1961. In Alushta there is a dock, a trolley-bus and bus terminals.
Aluston fortress. In the 6th-8th centuries Aluston was a Byzantine guard fortress. In the 10th-15th centuries it gradually turned into a small town. Aluston fortress occupied the hill, standing about 200 meters from the sea. You can see square tower Orta-Kulle, round tower Ashaga-Kulle, defensive walls there.
Medieval fortification Funa. This archaeological and architectural monument is located about 2 km north of Luchistaya village at the western foot of the South Demerdzhi Mountain.
Merchant N.D.Staheyev’s dacha. The villa “Otrada” (“Joy”) was built on the embankment of Alushta by Crimean architect N.Krasnov for merchant N.Stakheev who was known for his charity work. He helped to build the embankment, pier, theater, schools and hospitals.
There is a beautiful park around the villa with about 60 species of trees and shrubs growing. Stakheev’s dacha was visited by his uncle - famous painter Ivan Shishkin.
Today it is Children’s Creativity Center. During the hot days the area of the park turns into an improvised beach. Spreading plane tree (sycamore east), the most popular tree in Alushta, is growing here. Address: Alushta, Perekopskaya Str., 1.
All Crimean Saints’ and Feodor Stratilat’s church. The church is dedicated to one of the most honored saints in the Crimea. Roman Empire soldier Feodor was the captain (stratilat) in the city of Heraclea. He converted a lot of people to Christianity there. He was murdered on the orders of the Emperor Licinius, because he broke the golden statues of pagan gods and gave the pieces to the poor.
The cult of Feodor was widely spread in the principality of Feodoro in the 13th-15th centuries. In 1842 in his honor the main church of Alushta was built. The project was designed by Odessa city architect G.Torricelli. In Soviet times the building was a club, and the bell tower was destroyed. Today the church is completely restored. Address: Alushta, V.Khromykh Str., 16.
Yukara-Jami mosque. The mosque was built in the 19th century. It is located at the top of the hill, in the historic center of Alushta. In 1986 the mosque received the status of an architectural monument of local importance. Since 1996 the mosque has again become active. Address: Alushta, Verhnyaya Str., 9.
Kosmo-Damianovsky (Kozmodemyanovsky) monastery. The monastery is located about 16 km from Alushta, between Babugan and Sinabdag in the Central Basin of the Crimean State Reserve. The monastery was founded in 1869 close to the healing spring Savluh-su (“healthy water”), in a place where, according to legend, the saints Kosma and Damian were killed.
In 1878 the monastery was visited by the future Russian Emperor Alexander III, and in 1880 he visited the monastery with his wife Maria Fyodorovna. October 5, 1923 the monastery was abolished. It was decided to arrange a club inside the Church of Transfiguration, and Natural History Museum inside Kosma-Damian church. The monastery was rebuilt and reopened in 1992.
Alushta aquarium. The aquarium is located in the very center of Alushta in the round building resembling aliens’ spaceship. Aquarium is the largest in Ukraine. This underwater kingdom is inhabited by more than 250 different species of fish from all parts of the world, as well as 3 species of crocodiles, 5 species of crabs and 8 species of turtles. Opening hours: 9:00-20:00. Address: Alushta, Gorky Str., 6.
Professors’ corner. Alushta resort was founded by rector of Novorossiysk University N. Golovkinsky and Professor A. Golubev. In 1872 they purchased most of the slopes of Kastel Mountain. A lot of Russian scientists had their cottages there, hence the name. Address: Alushta, Naberezhnaya Str.
Water park “Almond Grove”. Besides the water park itself the entertainment complex includes hotel, restaurant and relaxation center. Address: Alushta, Professors’ corner, Naberezhnaya Str., 4-a. Water park is open from June to October.
The house at Krasnoarmeyskaya Str., 10. The mansion was built in Art Nouveau style in the 19th century, architectural monument.
Alushta city seafront
Alushta city seafront view
Alushta city scenery
Kastel mountain. The mountain altitude 439 meters is located on the southern outskirts of Alushta (Yalta highway), over the Professors’ corner. The mountain received the name “Kastel” due to the fact that in the old days there was a fortress (Greek - “Kastel”) on a mountain top. The remains of the fortress can still be found there.
According to a legend, the fortress was the last refuge of Queen Feodora, mistress of the ancient Sugdayi. When the Genoese captured the capital of the principality Feodore took refuge in Kastel, where betrayed by her brother she was killed in a battle.
Demerdzhi mountain. Demerdzhi is a mountain range located about 10 kilometers from Alushta near Luchistoye village. Translated from the Crimean Tatars’ language “Demerdzhi” means “smith”. Small pieces of rocks carried by the strong wind create the sounds that are reminiscent of blacksmith’s hammer hitting the anvil. The main tops of the mountain are the Northern Demerdzhi (1356 meters) and the Southern Demerdzhi (1239 meters).
The Valley of Ghosts. It is a numerous collection of stone sculptures on the slopes of the Southern Demerdzhi Mountain. The shapes of stone figures resemble human figures, animals, mysterious creatures, objects, and, depending on time of day and lighting, their images are changing. In addition thick fog is common there. There are more than a hundred such “ghosts” in the valley. The Valley of Ghosts is Ukrainian natural monument of national importance.
Chatyr-Dag mountain. The mountain altitude 1,525 m is the second highest mountain of Crimea after Roman-Kosh Mountain (1545 m). The mountain is known for numerous caves (137 so far) discovered there. The Marble Cave discovered in 1987 is one of the most beautiful caves in the world.
Dzhur-Dzhur Waterfall. Dzhur-Dzhur (“ever-purling”) Waterfall, located in the outskirts of Alushta, is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the Crimea. It is small, about 15 meters in height, but always full-flowing.
The waterfall is situated near Generalskoye village (Big Alushta area). From the parking lot where the sightseeing buses stop (or where you leave your car) you need to walk about a kilometer on a not steep rise through the dense reserve forest.
Alushta city restaurant
Alushta Genoese fortress tower
Alushta central library
Alushta branch of Tavrida Central museum (former Crimean museum of local study). The museum is located in Primorsky (Seaside) Park, in the building of villa “Modern” (1910-1912). The exhibition reflects Alushta’s history from ancient times.
About 8 thousand exhibits include archaeological collections (including the excavation of Aluston fortress and medieval settlement Partenit), numismatic and ethnographic material, rare documents and photographs about the history of the city. Opening hours: 9:00-18:00. Day off - Tuesday. Address: Alushta, Lenin Str., 8.
Museum of Crimean nature. It is the museum of one of the oldest reserves in Ukraine - Crimean National Nature Reserve, which occupies a vast territory of the Crimean mountains between Alushta and Yalta (total area - 44,175 ha). Opening hours: 8:00-17:00. Break: 12:00-13:00. Address: Alushta, Partizanskaya Str., 42.
S.N.Sergeyev-Tsensky literary museum. The literary-memorial museum of S. Sergeyev-Tsensky is located in a house built in 1906 on a hillside of Khurda-Tarly Mountain (today Orlinaya). Here the writer lived and worked from 1906 to 1941 and from 1946 to 1958. Opening hours: 9:00-18:00. Days off - Sunday, Monday. Address: Alushta, Sergeyev-Tsensky Str., 5.
I.S.Shmelyov literary museum. It is the only museum of famous Russian writer I. Shmelev in the CIS (former USSR states). The museum was opened in 1993 in a house he had bought in 1918, not far from his friend S. Sergeyev-Tsensky. Opening hours: 9:00-17:30. Break: 13:00-14:00. Days off - Sunday, Monday. Address: Alushta, Professors’ corner, Naberezhnaya Str., 2.
Architect A.N.Beketov house-museum. The dacha of outstanding Ukrainian architect A. Beketov is situated in Professors’ Corner. The architectural monuments created by Beketov: the building of the Crimean Russian Academic Theater in Simferopol, a lot of buildings in his hometown Kharkov, Kiev, Alushta.
The architect built his suburban home on the beach in 1896. Opening hours: 9:00-17:00. Days off - Sunday, Monday. Address: Alushta, Komsomolskaya Str., 4.
Alushta World War II memorial
Alushta Cheburashka monument
Alushta Feodor Stratilat church
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