Attractions in Sevastopol - Chersonesus National Preserve

Chersonesus National Preserve

Chersonesus is located in 15 minutes drive from the center of the city. You can reach it using public transportation.  (Bus No 22)

One of the best preserved Greek colonies on the Black Sea, Chersonesus occupies approximately 1,500 acres of land.

Chersonesus was founded in V century BC by Doric Greeks, extaptiates of ancient city Heraclia Pontica, which was located on the Southern shore of the Black sea (Turkish side).

Doric Greeks worshipped Hercules, a demigod and a human being. They named these lands Heralcean peninsula, after Hercules. The city was named Chersonesus, which is translated from Greek as "peninsula" or "cape".  

A century later Chersonesus was turned into one of the biggest democratic city-states and the most important Greek colony on the Black Sea. Chersonesus was a commercial, trading and cultural centre for two millennia.

In I century AD Chersonesus fell under the rule of Roman Empire. In V century AD it formed a part of Byzantine Empire. The city was a Crimean outpost of Byzantine Empire until XIII century when it was destroyed by Golden Horde.

Excavations of Chersonesus began in 1827 by the order of A.S. Greig who was the commander-in-chief of the Black Sea Fleet. Soon afterwards, Chersonesus received the epithet of "Russian Troy." Systematic researches started in 1880 by Kostushko-Valeznich who as a founder of the museum of ancient history.

In 1996 Cheronesus became the only national preserve in Ukraine. Now it is one of the symbols of Ukraine and the UNESCO world heritage listed site.

Chersonesus and Christianity 

During the middle ages, the history of Chersonesus was tightly connected with the history of Kievan Rus.  According to the Russian Primary Chronicle, it was Chersonesus where the Christianity spread over the Kievan Rus.

The Grand Prince Vladimir was baptized in the main basilica of Chersonesus in 988 to marry princess Anna, the sister of Byzantine emperors Basil II and Constantine VIII. This union strengthened the ties between the countries.

Uvarov basilica is identified as a place of Prince Vladimir baptism. Excavated in 1853, the complex of the basilica was is dated back to the VI century AD and consisted of three nave church, a fountain, a baptistery and a cruciform chapel.  Basillica complex was the largest excavated in Chersonesus.  A gazebo structure is now installed on the spot of Prince Vladimir baptism.   

Founded more than a hundred years ago, the museum of the ancient history houses the Byzantine collection. The exhibits of the gallery are fresco and mosaic fragments, pottery, glass, ceramics, coins, icons, ivory carvings, everyday life items, personal belongings etc. There is a collection of very rare selected icons. Greek and Roman collections exhibit grave stones, architectural moldings, black and red figure vases, terracotta figures, marble reliefs, sculptures, frescos etc.