Gaspra is a truly unique place that embodies all the advantages of vacationing in the Crimea. Warm therapeutic climate, clean sea and cozy beaches, stunning nature and an abundance of beautiful sights make recreation in Gaspra more and more popular from year to year, but at the same time it is still quieter than in Yalta.
The settlement of urban type Gaspra is located 12km west of Yalta between Koreiz and Livadia and is part of the Big Yalta. Today, this beautiful resort with a developed infrastructure for comfortable rest has become the most favorite for many tourists who prefer Crimea. And not only because the sights of Gaspra are very interesting and known far beyond its borders, but also because of the fact that here thanks to the features of the landscape the warmest climate on the territory of the entire peninsula.
The modern name Gaspra was formed from the Greek «aspro» — this word means «white». Researchers suggest that such an epithet was fixed for the village because once there was a fortification or some other object that caused such associations and has not survived to this day. It was probably the Aspra-Isar fortification, the ruins of which are preserved today in the vicinity of the settlement.
On the territory of present-day Gaspra, as well as the surrounding settlements, people have lived since time immemorial: it was the Taurians, and the ancient Greeks, and the Romans, evidence of life here survived to this day. Well, to a new stage of its life, which began after the annexation of Crimea to Russia, the village came in the form of a small Tatar village. It was then that active settlement of these beautiful places and their development as one of the best resorts began.
Here liked to rest not only outstanding creative people (Leo Tolstoy, Chekhov, Gorky, Chaliapin, etc.), but also the family of Nicholas II. Thanks to the latter, a landmark appeared in Gaspra — Solnechnaya (Tsar’s) path, connecting the village with Livadia. The last Russian emperor liked to walk along it very much. Other representatives of the Russian nobility also left their memories here — the castle Swallow’s Nest (a visiting card of Crimea), the palace of Prince Golitsyn and Panina (today it is a sanatorium «Yasnaya Polyana», in one of the rooms of which, where Tolstoy rested, a museum is open), Kichkine Palace, the estate of Ai-Todor, etc.
Each guest of this stunning corner of the Crimea, getting acquainted with it, amazed at how numerous and beautiful sights Gaspra — here, in a small urban village, they are so many that each day of rest gives new impressions. Including here are preserved unique objects erected by human hands even before our era: Taurian necropolis and the Roman fortress of Haraks, which is simply invaluable for people interested in history.
Impressions from acquaintance with interesting objects become even brighter, complemented by the contemplation of natural treasures, for which you do not need to go somewhere or go and make any effort, because they are everywhere. Above Gaspra there are picturesque rocks — the monumental peak Ai-Petri with sharp peaks is a fantastic picture! The formidable cape Ai-Todor approaches the sea, its steep rocky shores stir the imagination. And from the depths of the sea soars up fabulous-looking cliff Sail, which has become, as well as another local attraction — castle Swallow’s Nest, the visiting card of the Crimea. The whole village is immersed in the greenery of cypresses, juniper and cedar, so the air here is truly magical: woody aromas mixed with the sea breeze, which gives incomparable pleasure, and at the same time and heals the body. Doctors believe that by vacationing here at least 2 weeks a year, you can significantly strengthen your body and health.
There are many reasons to come to this paradise corner of Krym, and everyone who chooses to rest in Gaspra, the village reciprocates — gives incredibly bright positive emotions, health, good mood for the year ahead!