Nakhimov Square in Sevastopol

Nakhimov Square is located in the historical center of Sevastopol. The first buildings in the city began to be built in 1783, when Crimea became part of the Russian Empire. Nakhimov Square became the main square of the city and remains so today. In the center of the square there is a monument to the great Russian naval commander Admiral Nakhimov. 

Nakhimov Square is the most convenient place from where you can start walking tours of the historical sights of Sevastopol. On the east side of the square is the Count’s Pier, and on the west – Seaside Boulevard. Other attractions are further away, but within walking distance from the square.  

On the south side of the square begins Sailors Boulevard, where also several monuments are installed. From Nakhimov Square, you need to climb the stairs to it. At the beginning of the boulevard from the side of the square there is a monument to A.Kazarsky - the very first monument of Sevastopol. It was installed in 1839. At the foot of this hill, the Eternal Flame burns and there is a monument to the defenders of Sevastopol during the WWII. 

After its foundation in 1783, the square was named Catherine Square, as well as the Pier nearby. However, the pier was popularly called Count’s, later the pier received this name officially. As for the square, it remained Catherine`s Square until the end of the 19th century, and only at the end of the 19th century it was called Nakhimov Square.  

Pavel Stepanovich Nakhimov was born in 1802 in the village of Gorodok near Vyazma, not far from the Estate of Griboyedov Khmelita. The native village has not been preserved, but the Nakhimov Museum was created in a small house next to the Estate of the Khmelita. 

Nakhimov served on various warships of the Black Sea Navy and participated in many battles. Thanks to his talent, he became an admiral in 1845. During the Crimean War, he commanded the entire navy. The war began very successfully for Russia. Nakhimov`s navy defeated the Turkish navy during the Battle of Sinop. However, after this defeat of the Turks, a coalition of European states entered the war, since they were not interested in strengthening Russia`s influence on the Black Sea and the Balkans.  

The technical level of the Russian army was significantly inferior to England and France. The Russians could only oppose the steam navy of the European powers with sailing ships, so the navy commanders decided to submerge sailing ships at the entrance to the bay of Sevastopol, and conduct defense on the bastions of the city. Admiral Nakhimov commanded the defense of Sevastopol in 1855-56. Despite the technical superiority in armaments, the English-French troops could not capture the city for 330 days. 

Such a long defense of Sevastopol was largely the merit of Admiral Nakhimov, whom the soldiers called the Benefactor-Father. On June 28, 1855, Nakhimov was fatally wounded by a bullet in the head. He was buried in the Vladimir Cathedral Necropolis of the Admirals.  

The 12-meter monument in the center of Nakhimov Square was installed in 1898. In the same year, Catherine Square was renamed Nakhimov Square. In Soviet years, it was renamed 4 times, and the monument to the admiral was dismantled in 1928. However, in 1959, the city authorities decided to return the monument to its former place and the square was again called Nakhimov Square.