Grafskaya pier, Sevastopol: address, description, history

Sevastopol is one of the most beautiful cities in the Crimea, which went down in history thanks to the exploits of Russian sailors and ordinary people, always breastfed to protect their native land. Although many of its historical and architectural monuments were repeatedly destroyed during the hostilities, in peacetime they were restored. Thanks to the efforts of the townspeople today, as well as 150-160 years ago, the guests of the city arriving from the sea are greeted by the Count's jetty. Sevastopol is proud of this landmark, photographs of which are adorned with almost all tourist avenues.

History of the quay

The first boat dock in the area of the modern Nakhimov Square was built in 1783. On the eve of the arrival of Empress Catherine II in Sevastopol, work was done on the improvement of the city. Their result was, among other things, replacing the wooden steps of the quay with stone ones. By the order of Prince Grigory Potemkin, the new main wharf was named Ekaterininskaya.

After the departure of the empress, Count M. Voinovich usually went there from his boat to the shore. At that time, this brave admiral was the commander-in-chief of the Black Sea Fleet of Russia and lived on his farm on the North side. So in the people the name "Grafskaya pier", which continued to exist even in the Soviet period, was fixed.

After 60 years after visiting the city of Catherine the Great, Sevastopol authorities decided that the city needs a front entrance from the sea.

Engineer-colonel John Upton was assigned to create the project of such a structure. He presented his work for approval in October 1844 and, having received approval, took up the construction of the quay, which lasted about 2 years.

Grafskaya pier (Sevastopol): history before the Great Patriotic War

Although the structure was originally intended to decorate the city center, throughout its history he had to "war" repeatedly. So, in the days of the first defense of Sevastopol, by the decision of the command of the Russian army, through the Count's wharf, supply of bastions of the city with ammunition and food was provided. She was even "wounded", like a real soldier. This event took place at the end of August 1855, when the enemy missile hit the barge with gunpowder that had approached the pier, which caused the explosion and caused considerable destruction.

The Count's Quay (Sevastopol, address: Nakhimova Avenue, 4) witnessed the sad events in the Russian Empire. For example, in November 1920, units of the Red Army, commanded by MV Frunze, broke through in the Perekop area and moved to Sevastopol. Lieutenant-General P. Wrangel, trying to avoid large casualties among servicemen of the south of Russia, ordered them to evacuate. Within a few days Crimea left up to 150,000 people, including about 70,000 soldiers and officers.

In 1925, the Count's Wharf (Sevastopol) was renamed the quay of the Third International.

During the Great Patriotic War

In the middle of the autumn of 1941, near the Grafskoye Pit, there was a fire artillery position of the cruiser Chervona Ukraine. Within 20 days the ship fired at the enemy. Especially big damage was done to the enemy on November 11, when his guns suppressed 3 enemy batteries, smashed 18 armored personnel carriers and destroyed three companies of German soldiers. However, the next day the Luftwaffe aircraft dropped 6 bombs on the cruiser. The struggle for the survivability of the ship was not successful, and it sank.

He remembers the pier and joyful day of May 9, 1944, when the Naval Flag of the USSR was again erected over the colonnade of the Count's quay.

In the post-war years

In the course of works to restore the dilapidated city, Grafskaya pier was also renovated. Reconstruction of the staircase was carried out according to the project of V. Artyukhov and A. Mikhailenko, and in 1987-1988 the colonnade was restored. Sevastopol has made it its main architectural symbol and visiting card, which was shown to the guests with pleasure. Since then, nothing has changed, except that after the entry of Crimea into Russia , the number of tourists who want to see this silent testimony of military exploits of their grandfathers increased.

Sevastopol, The Count's Wharf: How to get there

Since this structure is one of the main tourist attractions not only of the city, but of the entire Crimea, it is easily accessible by public transport. In particular, you can get from the railway or bus station of Sevastopol to the Count's pier by using trolleybuses No. 1, 3, 7, 9 or by route taxi No. 109, 110, 112, 4, 84 and proceeding to the Nakhimova Square stop.

Description

At the moment, the Count's wharf (Sevastopol) consists of a colonnade and a staircase. John Upton took as a basis the samples of antique architecture, giving the construction features a classic style. In particular, the double colonnade is made according to the canons of the Doric Order and forms propylae. The columns carry an entablature, which is crowned with an attic. It is fixed convex figures denoting the date of construction. Before the colonnade 4 marches in the direction of the sea descends a fairly wide front staircase of Inkerman stone. It is decorated with marble lions by sculptor Ferdinando Pelllicio.

Memorial plaques

Many fragments of the history of the Grafskaya Quay and Sevastopol were reflected in the memorial plates fixed on the territory of the building. They are installed in memory of the liberation of the city from the fascist invaders, as a reminder of the tragedy of those who were forced to leave their homeland during the Civil War, in honor of the heroes-sailors of the cruiser Chervona Ukraine and others.

Architectural ensemble of Nakhimov Square

The Count's marina is surrounded by many famous sights of the city of Sevastopol. In particular, it is part of the ensemble of Nakhimov Square, which is adorned with a monument to the famous admiral, the building of the Marine Station and the former Catherine Palace. In the same place are the Memorial to the heroes who defended Sevastopol during the Second World War, a commemorative sign installed in honor of the bicentenary of the city, and the Portoflot berths.

Now you know the history of the famous sights of the city of Sevastopol - Grafskaya pier. This architectural monument is beautiful both in daylight and in the rays of decorative night illumination. Therefore, if you happen to visit this city of Russian military glory, be sure to go to the square of Admiral Nakhimov. Then you can admire the magnificent view of the sea and floating ships, as well as make a couple of photos to remember and decorate your tourist album.