There are places in the world that you want to visit, and once you have been there, you want to come back again. One of these places is a small town in the south-east of Crimea — amazing Sudak. Why amazing? Because, being a very small town with a population of 30 thousand inhabitants, it combines so many priceless for any tourist wonders, as it happens only in the best resort towns in the world, and sights of Sudak — a real find for connoisseurs of exciting ancient architecture and the beauty of nature.
In ancient times it was called «pure», «immaculate» and even «holy». This is how the name of Sudak is translated. Looking at the amazing landscapes, delightful beauty, which nature has generously awarded this place, crystal clear waters, washing gracefully rugged rocky shores, breathing in the purest, filled with the aromas of pine needles and freshness of the sea air, it becomes clear why this place was awarded such worthy epithets. Without a shadow of a doubt we can say that Sudak is one of those paradisiacal corners on earth, where you can forget about everything and just enjoy the beauty that nature can create in places chosen by someone from above.
Sudak was founded in 212 by Alans, it is one of the oldest Crimean cities. Over the centuries of its existence, it has repeatedly passed from one state to another, however, conquered repeatedly, it has never lost its charm. At different times Sudak belonged to the Greeks, Genoese, Ottoman Empire, was a colony of Venice, and to the Russian Empire passed at the end of the XVIII century.
The city experienced its peak in the XII-XIII centuries, becoming an important part of the Great Silk Road, it was during this period that the world-famous Genoese Fortress was erected, which has been preserved and has now become an architectural monument of world significance. In terms of its fame Genoese Fortress bypasses the other attractions of Sudak, which, however, are also of great interest to the guests of the city.
Among the notable places of the city itself and its surroundings — numerous natural treasures, interesting architectural structures, archaeological, historical monuments. The Taurus labyrinths, staircases and other traces of one of the most mysterious Crimean ethnic groups, preserved since prehistoric times, will open the veil of the distant past; positive energy and strength of travelers will charge the healing «Anastasiysky spring», the road to which leads through a juniper grove; incredible, fairy-tale landscape will open the view of the Grand Canyon of Crimea; boundless panorama of the Black Sea from a bird’s eye view will demonstrate Mount Sokol — the largest coral reef in Europe. All that opens before the eye in this picturesque town are breathtaking sights of Sudak, its treasures, those notes touching the strings of the soul in the magnificent composition that make you remember it forever, remember and return to it again.
The light quartz sand covering the coast of the city is the only beach of its kind in Crimea. And in the vicinity of Sudak lurks another priceless gem — the ancient village of Novy Svet. Its landscapes are striking in their colorfulness, and crystal clear waters create a sense of virginity of the local nature.
This city has been blessed with a mild, pleasant climate. Fenced from the north by high mountains covered with beech and century-old oaks, Sudak is protected from cold northern winds, the bathing season here lasts from early June to mid-October. It is noteworthy that Sudak is considered to be the most ecologically clean Crimean town.
Many noble people dreamed to visit, and even better, to buy their own paradise here. Thus, in the middle of the XIII century in Sudak lived uncle of the famous traveler Marco Polo, later came to rest such representatives of Russian nobility as Revelioti, Kapnisti, Paskevich.
Today this town, which has gained fame as a unique attraction of Crimea, and even attractions of Ukraine in general, has become one of the favorite places for connoisseurs of healthy, exciting rest. And for many who have been here at least once, Sudak becomes one of the most favorite vacation spots in the world.