Tourism in Crimea, Ukraine, Research Paper Example

Introduction

Crimea is a region rich in history, natural beauty and climate.  For centuries, it has been occupied by some of the world’s greatest civilizations and, as such, is rich in ancient churches, palaces, museums and ruins dating to the early Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Tatar periods.  In this report, I will show that investing tourism money in Crimea is both personally rewarding and financially worthwhile.

In addition to the many historic attractions, Crimea offers health resorts and coastal areas that have proven curative for visitors for centuries.  And Crimea plays host to impressive numbers of tourists.  According to statistics (See Appendix B) taken from a 10-month period, 7.2 million tourists came from Russia, Europe and another countries to visit Crimea.

Tourists can select from an impressive list of activities.  There are museums, art galleries, theaters, and land- and water-based sports activities. In one trip to Crimea, you can easily find yourself fishing, rock and mountain climbing, skiing, hiking and much more.

History of Crimea

Greek colonists began settling the Crimean peninsula around the 6^th century B.C., naming the region Tauris.  The eastern half of the peninsula became the Greek Bosporan kingdom; in the western half the Greeks built the cities of Khersones and Kerkinitida.  These territories were constantly under pressure from attacks by the Scythians and Sarmatians.  In the 1^st century A.D., Roman legions built fortresses along the coastal regions but lost these possessions to the Goths in the 4^th century.

In 988, the Byzantines introduced Christianity at Khersones.  In the 13^th century, the Golden Horde conquered Tauris, renaming it “Qirim,” which evolved into “Crimea.” The Tatar’s capital was Bakhchisarai. The Tatar realm grew wealthy and powerful, collecting taxes from arrangements such as the trading agreement concluded between the Genoese and the Venetians.

Russia gained control of Crimea in 1783 when Catherine the Great signed a manifest that brought it into the Russian Empire. This gave Russia two main access points to the Black Sea: Georgia and Crimea. However, Britain and France feared that Russia would take control over the Black Sea and Mediterranean passageways. In 1854, British and French armies attacked Balaklava to help the Turkish fleet. The Crimean War ended with Russia’s victory in 1856.

During World War I, Germany claimed Crimea and some parts of the Ukraine, though the Russian army recovered the area late in the war.  In 1921, it became the Republic of Crimean Tatars.  “As such, the Crimean Tatars were to be recognized as the korennoi narod (rooted or native people) of a short lived Crimean Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic which existed from 1921 to 1945” (Williams, 32).  The oil-rich area was fought over again in World War II, with Russia driving out the German invaders in 1944.  One year later, the three post-war powers met at Yalta.

In 1954, Crimea became part of Ukraine, which declared independence from Russia in 1991.  The Crimean people tried, unsuccessfully to return the peninsula to Russia but it remained part of Ukraine.

Demographic, Administrative, Geographic and Climatological

Crimea covers 10,038 square miles and has an estimated population of approximately 1,973,185 people.  Its official language is Ukrainian, however, since most of the population is ethnic Russian, people speak mostly in that language.   Crimea is composed of 58.32 percent Russians, 24.32 percent Ukrainians, 12.1 percent Crimean Tatars and an array of other nationalities.

The peninsula is comprised of 14 districts and 11 municipalities, the capital of which is Simferopol.  Sevastopol, the well-known base of the Black Sea fleet, is administratively separated from other districts. Most cities on the seacoast are resorts including Kerch, Feodosiya, Yalta and Alushta.  Krasnoperekopsk is known as an industrial city, while Dzhankoy has a main railroad connection.

The Crimean peninsula is located between the Black Sea on the north coast and Azov Sea on the west coast. It is connected to Ukraine by the Isthmus of Perikop and to Russia by the Taman peninsula. The Crimean coastline is broken up by bays and harbors, including the bays of Karkinit, Kalamita, Arabat, and Caffa. The main rivers are: Indol, Biuk-Karasu, Salgir, Black, Belbek and Kacha. The highest mountains are: Roman-Kosh, Dimir-Kap and Zeytin-Kosh.

Three climate types – steppe, continental and sub-Mediterranean – are present in the area.  The mountains, which play a major role in Crimean weather, separate the south coast from the midland region, protecting the coastal cities from heavy snow and frigid winter temperatures. In summer, temperatures are similar to a Mediterranean coast climate. The temperature of the sea during summer ranges from 71 to 78 degrees. There is no humidity and sea breezes keep temperatures moderate.

There are two seasons: Spring/Summer season from May to October, and an “Indian” Summer /Late Autumn season from November to April.  The average temperature during the summer is 82 degrees, and 31 degrees in winter.  In the south territory winter temperature is about 39 F. Freezing temperature in the winter is very rare. Precipitation is about 16 inches per year midland and twice as more in south seacoast areas. Most of the resorts and health spas are located in the south seacoast areas because the air from the mountains, forest, and sea are very curative especially for people with respiratory diseases.

Crimea’s Historical Attractions

Cave Cities

The Ruins of Khersones is an archaeological park protected by the government. One of the Crimea’s oldest Greek colonies, Khersones today is a beautifully preserved city. Its buildings combine Greek, Roman and Byzantine styles. Tourists can see Roman amphitheaters and Greek temples on a visit to Khersones.  “Some of the pagan used the Chersonese territory as aplace of banishment for persons who fell under their displeasure” (Milner, 103).

There are many cave cities and cave monasteries in Crimea.  Among the most well-known is Chufut-Khale, an old Jewish fortress located in Bakhchisarai.  Tatars captured the city in 1299 and remained there until the 16^th century.  Kalamita is a cave fortress built in the 6^th century to protect the trade roads. It covers approximately 1,500 square meters, has three full towers and five smaller towers.  At Uspenskiy, tourists can visit the scene of a religious miracle.  Legend says that “some refugees fled to the spot centuries ago, during a time when the disciples of the cross were persecuted by the followers of the crescent.  They found in one of the caves a picture of the Virgin.  It was hailed as a heaven-descended object symbolizing protection…” (Milner, 348).

Other notable Crimean cave cities include: Bakla, Kachi-Kalion, Kyz-Kermen, Mangup-Kale, Tepe-Kermen, Chlter –Koba, Cufut-Kale, and Eski-Kermen.  Each one of them has its own history. Tourists can see the caves where people lived many years ago. There are monasteries and churches inside many of these caves, some of which have unique paintings.  Most of the cities are nick named for the trades that made them famous. Kachi-Kalion was known as “the wine city” due to the fact that it had 120 wine presses and was famous for the wines it produced.

Kalamita is a fortress filled with caves built in the 6^th century.  It was built this way to protect the trade roads. The fortress is approximately 1,500 sq. meters, and has three full towers and five smaller towers. Most cave cities, including Khersones were destroyed during the Turkish invasion.

Foros Church on the Rock was built in 1892 by a local tea merchant as a thanksgiving to God after the Russian royal family survived a major railroad crash in 1888. The church was built on top of rocks 400 meters high.  In 1924 the Soviet Government closed the church and the priests were exiled to Siberia. In 1992, Foros Church was restored and today is open to the general public.

Palaces

Crimea was a favorite destination for the Russian royal family and aristocracy. They came to improve their health and enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings. There are many palaces by the sea coast.  Livadia Palace, the summer residence of Russian Emperor Nicholas II, was built in 1911 and was designed by the architect Ippolito Antonovich Monighetti. It combines Byzantine, Arabic, and Gothic styles.

Vorontsov Palace was built between 1828 and 1846 for the Russian Count M. Vorontsov. The palace was designed by architect Edward Blore, who also designed Westminster Abbey and part of Buckingham Palace. This seaside palace displays an Arabic style and has six marble lions, crafted by the great Italian sculptor Bonani.

Masandra Palace was built as a summer residence for Count Vorontsov between 1892 and 1902. The palace, which was designed by French architect Buchar, combines Florentine, Arabic and Renaissance styles.  It was acquired by the Russian Emperor Alexander III and, after the revolution, the palace was used as a summer residence for many Soviet party officials. In the 1990s, the palace was restored and opened to the public as a museum.

Khane Palace in Bakhchisarai was the Golden Horde’s seat of power in the Tatar era. Ukrainian and Russian slaves built Khane Palace in the 16th century.  Dulbert Palace was built for Prince Peter Romanov from 1895 to 1897 in an Egyptian style motif.  Today it is a health resort, open to all visitors.

The Swallow’s Nest was built in 1912 on the rock of Ai-Todor Cape for Baron Sneigel, a German oil magnate. The Swallow’s Nest, which was built to look like a miniature knight’s castle, today is home to a very upscale Italian restaurant.

Museums and Gardens

The Art Museum of Sevastopol has the best art collection in Crimea. Founded in 1927, its collection has paintings of Italian, German, French, Russian and Dutch artists.  The Sevastopol

Marine Aquarium Museum was founded in 1987 as a part of the Sevastopol Biology Station. The Aquarium Museum has four sections: Coral Reefs; Black Sea and Tropical section; Exotic Tropical Animals of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans section; and a Freshwater section.

The Nikitskiy Botanical Garden was founded in 1812 and has a collection of 28,000 plant and tree varieties from Japan, the Americas, Mediterranean coastline and Middle Eastern countries. “The garden occupies three square kilometers near Yalta” (Hyams, 184).

Other Sites of Interest

Crimea has one of the world’s most famous and strategically important naval bases.  Sevastopol was completely destroyed during World War II. Rebuilt after the war, the city has long been home to the Black Sea fleet. In 1996, Sevastopol was opened to visitors who today can see this beautiful and historic city, which includes military museums, monuments and memorials.

During the Crimean War, British, French, Sardinian and Turkish troops besieged Sevastopol for 11 months.  The retreating Russians scuttled their fleet to keep it from falling into enemy hands.  When the allies entered the city, they found nothing but ruins as the Russians had set fire to the city. A panorama of the Siege of Sevastopol originally was created by Franz Roubaud. Later, after its destruction in 1942 during WWII, it was restored and is housed in the Museum Panorama.

Museum Panorama, located on Historic Boulevard, is a museum with exhibits about Sevastopol during the Crimean War and the different naval ships and ports in which they were stationed during that conflict. During World War II, the Germans bombed the city and the museum caught fire, though soldiers and sailors were able to rescue about 86 sections.

Sevastopol is also home to one of the world’s finest marine aquarium museums.  Founded in 1987 as a part of Sevastopol Biology Station, it is known as a cultural and educational institution. The Aquarium Museum has four sections: Coral Reefs; a Black Sea and Tropical section; an Exotic Tropical Animals of Atlantic and Indian Oceans section; and a Freshwater section.

Balaklava, also a naval town, was once part of Sevastopol. Nearby mountains have natural caves, some of which were used as secret submarine ports and factories. Balaklava is also known for its Genoese fortress, which gives evidence of naval strategies used for centuries.

Balaklava became famous during the Crimean War when a British cavalry charge led to the “Charge of the Light Brigade,” the subject of the famous poem by Tennyson.  Today, Balaklava has more than 50 monuments dedicated to those who served in past wars, including the Great Patriotic War, the Crimean War and the Russian Civil War.

Conclusion

Crimea is a world-class tourism destination with a curative and therapeutic climate.    Russian tourists regularly visit the health resorts and spas of the Crimea, which draw people from all walks of life. With sufficient financial support, Crimea can be an extremely lucrative investment.

At present, the region’s economy is not good.  The Ukraine has struggled economically and does not have much money to devote to tourism development. The coastal region presents attractive opportunities for developers to build new resorts and hotels. A fully developed Crimean coast with hotels and resort spas will make an already historically fascinating region a very popular location. Investors will not be sorry for having put their money into such a wonderful place.

Works Cited

Hyams, E.  Great Botanical Gardens of the World.  Apollo Books (1988).

Milner, T.   The Crimea: Its Ancient and Modern History: The Khans, the Sultans, and the Czars. General Books (2010).

Williams, B.  The Crimean Tatars: the diaspora experience and the forging of a nation. Brill Academic Publishers (2001).