Rulers and political regimes have many times changed in Crimea throughout the centuries, but the peninsula on the Black Sea remains a wonderful place to spend a vacation because of its mild climate and rich flora, as well as cultural and historic sites. Crimea is now an autonomous parliamentary republic which is governed by the Constitution of Crimea in accordance with the laws of Ukraine.
© RIA Novosti . Tsvetelina MitevaThe Swallow's Nest is a Neo-Gothic decorative castle near the Crimean city of Yalta. It was built between 1911 and 1912 on top of the 40-meter high Aurora Cliff. The building is very compact in size.
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© RIA Novosti . Tsvetelina Miteva
The Swallow's Nest is a Neo-Gothic decorative castle near the Crimean city of Yalta. It was built between 1911 and 1912 on top of the 40-meter high Aurora Cliff. The building is very compact in size.
© RIA Novosti . Tsvetelina MitevaThe Swallow's Nest has become a real symbol of Crimea. It was designed by Russian architect Leonid Sherwood.
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© RIA Novosti . Tsvetelina Miteva
The Swallow's Nest has become a real symbol of Crimea. It was designed by Russian architect Leonid Sherwood.
© Sputnik / Tsvetelina MitevaYalta is a city in Crimea located on the site of an ancient Greek colony. The city stands on a deep bay facing south towards the Black Sea surrounded by wooded mountains. It enjoys warm Mediterranean climate with many vineyards and orchards nearby.
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© Sputnik / Tsvetelina Miteva
Yalta is a city in Crimea located on the site of an ancient Greek colony. The city stands on a deep bay facing south towards the Black Sea surrounded by wooded mountains. It enjoys warm Mediterranean climate with many vineyards and orchards nearby.
© RIA Novosti . Tsvetelina MitevaDuring the 20th century, Yalta was the principal holiday resort of Soviet Union elites. In 1920, Vladimir Lenin issued a decree "On the Use of Crimea for the Medical Treatment of the Working People" which endorsed the region's transformation from a fairly exclusive resort area into a recreation facility for proletarians in need of rest.
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© RIA Novosti . Tsvetelina Miteva
During the 20th century, Yalta was the principal holiday resort of Soviet Union elites. In 1920, Vladimir Lenin issued a decree "On the Use of Crimea for the Medical Treatment of the Working People" which endorsed the region's transformation from a fairly exclusive resort area into a recreation facility for proletarians in need of rest.
© RIA Novosti . Tsvetelina MitevaYalta's Sea Promenade had recently been renovated.
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© RIA Novosti . Tsvetelina Miteva
Yalta's Sea Promenade had recently been renovated.
© RIA Novosti . Tsvetelina MitevaThe Vorontsov Palace is a historic palace located at the foot of the Crimean Mountains near the town of Alupka.
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© RIA Novosti . Tsvetelina Miteva
The Vorontsov Palace is a historic palace located at the foot of the Crimean Mountains near the town of Alupka.
© RIA Novosti . Tsvetelina MitevaThe palace was built for Prince Mikhail Vorontsov as a summer residence in Tudor style, with elements of Scottish Baronial, Moorish Revival, and Gothic architecture. For three generations, the Vorontsov Palace belonged to the Vorontsov family. After the Soviets came to power, the palace was transformed into a museum.
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© RIA Novosti . Tsvetelina Miteva
The palace was built for Prince Mikhail Vorontsov as a summer residence in Tudor style, with elements of Scottish Baronial, Moorish Revival, and Gothic architecture. For three generations, the Vorontsov Palace belonged to the Vorontsov family. After the Soviets came to power, the palace was transformed into a museum.
© RIA Novosti . Tsvetelina MitevaNikitsky Botanical Garden is one of the oldest botanical gardens in the world. It was founded in 1812 and named after the settlement Nikita which is located nearby.
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© RIA Novosti . Tsvetelina Miteva
Nikitsky Botanical Garden is one of the oldest botanical gardens in the world. It was founded in 1812 and named after the settlement Nikita which is located nearby.
© RIA Novosti . Tsvetelina MitevaThe garden’s founder and first director was Christian Steven, a Russian botanist of Swedish descent.
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© RIA Novosti . Tsvetelina Miteva
The garden’s founder and first director was Christian Steven, a Russian botanist of Swedish descent.
© RIA Novosti . Tsvetelina MitevaScientists of Nikita Botanical Garden try to show the public all the richness of natural colors and shades.
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© RIA Novosti . Tsvetelina Miteva
Scientists of Nikita Botanical Garden try to show the public all the richness of natural colors and shades.
© RIA Novosti . Tsvetelina MitevaThe total area of Nikitsky Botanical Garden is 11 square kilometers. It is a scientific research center, producer of saplings and seeds as well as a tourist attraction.
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© RIA Novosti . Tsvetelina Miteva
The total area of Nikitsky Botanical Garden is 11 square kilometers. It is a scientific research center, producer of saplings and seeds as well as a tourist attraction.
© RIA Novosti . Tsvetelina MitevaGenoese predominated the southern coast of the Crimean Peninsula in the 14th and 15th centuries. They built many fortresses, several of them have survived today and are now tourist attractions.
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© RIA Novosti . Tsvetelina Miteva
Genoese predominated the southern coast of the Crimean Peninsula in the 14th and 15th centuries. They built many fortresses, several of them have survived today and are now tourist attractions.
© RIA Novosti . Tsvetelina MitevaThe Genoese fortress of Sudak was built as a combination of high towers (originally 18) and crenulated walls. It was one of the most important Genoese trading centers on the Great Silk Road.
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© RIA Novosti . Tsvetelina Miteva
The Genoese fortress of Sudak was built as a combination of high towers (originally 18) and crenulated walls. It was one of the most important Genoese trading centers on the Great Silk Road.
© RIA Novosti . Tsvetelina MitevaCrimea attracts mountain bikers, tourists as well as rock climbers. Photo: Rhinoceros Mountain.
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© RIA Novosti . Tsvetelina Miteva
Crimea attracts mountain bikers, tourists as well as rock climbers. Photo: Rhinoceros Mountain.
© RIA Novosti . Tsvetelina MitevaSquirrels are typical of the Crimean fauna.
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© RIA Novosti . Tsvetelina Miteva
Squirrels are typical of the Crimean fauna.
© RIA Novosti . Tsvetelina MitevaHawk Mountain, an ancient coral reef that rose from the seabed when the water retreated, is not safe for climbers.
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© RIA Novosti . Tsvetelina Miteva
Hawk Mountain, an ancient coral reef that rose from the seabed when the water retreated, is not safe for climbers.