Crimea is a peninsula that was very popular with tourists during the Soviet era. After the formation of independent states, the flow of people wishing to relax on its coast has noticeably decreased. Now, after the return of Crimea to Russia, interest in it is reviving again. Among the many cities of the peninsula, one of the most interesting is Kerch.
Kerch: general information for tourists
The city is located on the shore of the Kerch Strait and stretches along the coast for almost 42 km. In its center is the majestic Mount Mithridates. Several rivers flow on the territory of Kerch. In the vicinity of the city there are salt lakes and mud volcanoes, and there are healing springs. One third of the city is occupied by green spaces, there are many parks and squares for recreation.
Due to its favorable location at the confluence of the Black and Azov Seas, Kerch has great tourism potential. The sandy beaches of the city are well-maintained; the swimming season on them lasts from mid-May to mid-September. The climate is close to subtropical, with very mild winters and warm summers. In the coastal area there are numerous boarding houses and holiday homes where you can have a great vacation with the whole family.
Local cuisine is represented by a variety of original dishes, rich in seafood. The Crimean Tatar cuisine is very popular. Lovers of homemade wine will have an excellent opportunity to taste drinks made from local grapes. Persimmons, pomegranates, quince, figs, etc. also grow in Kerch.
Historical monuments of Kerch
Historical monuments of the city are represented by a wide variety of eras and styles. This is an ancient settlement on Mount Mithridates, and the famous Great Mithridatskaya Staircase. It consists of 432 steps leading to the top of the mountain, on which the Obelisk of Glory is located, erected here in August 1944. This majestic peak offers beautiful views of the city, which is especially beautiful in the evening.
The Tsarsky burial mound, located in the outskirts of Kerch, is also interesting; its architecture dates back to the 4th century BC. When visiting the city, pay attention to the Church of St. John the Baptist, which is the oldest monument of Byzantine architecture.
Within the city of Kerch, on the shore of the strait, there is the Yenikale fortress, built in the era of the Ottoman Empire. Located in the narrowest part of the Kerch Strait, it covers an area of about 2.5 hectares.
Fans of Russian history are advised to visit the museum complex located in the quarries of the village of Adzhimushkay. It was here that Soviet soldiers held their defenses from May to October 1942. No less interesting will be an excursion to the military fortress "Kerch", built in the 19th century to protect the southern borders of the Russian Empire.
And these are only the most important sights of the amazing historical city of Kerch. Your vacation is unlikely to be enough to visit all the museums and temples, but you will have a reason to return to these amazing places again.
