Swallow’s Nest Castle
“Swallow’s Nest” is an architectural monument of the early twentieth century of federal importance, one of the most famous buildings of the Crimea. The complex is located on the southern coast of the peninsula, near the resort village of Gaspra. Built on the very edge of the Aurorina Rock, the central spur of Cape Ai-Todor, “Swallow’s Nest” initially caused great indignation of art critics, who considered it an unsuccessful imitation of European medieval models. Tourists, who received at their disposal a new attraction, on the contrary, appreciated the views of the “castle” from the sea and neighboring cliffs. That is why the closure of access to the complex from November 24, 2016 did not affect the number of people who wanted to take pictures against the background of a steep cliff and a castle reminiscent of a child’s toy. At the moment the work to eliminate the danger of collapse of the Aurora Rock is completed and tourists can again get into the “Swallow’s Nest.”
Video: Swallow’s Nest
Contents- Cape Ai-Todor
- Haraks Military Camp
- Aurorina Rock
History of the Swallow’s Nest complex - Construction and reconstruction of Swallow’s Nest
- “White Swallow” summer house
- Architectural features of the castle “Swallow’s Nest”
- Active rest in the vicinity
- Where to stay
- When to come and how to get there
The rocky cape, named after the medieval monastery of St. Theodore, which has not survived, is formed by three spurs. Excursion boats moor to the shore in the miniature bay of the eastern spur, whose name Limen-Burun naturally translates from Tatar as “cape of the harbor”. The narrow strip of coast is reliably protected from sea winds even during a storm, when the nearest parking lots to Ai-Todor are closed. Other suitable for mooring ships and swimming areas on Ai-Todor simply do not exist – all around boulders and rocks.
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On the miraculously preserved from weathering pieces of soil Limen-Burun grows juniper, enriching the air of the resort, it is no coincidence that patients with pneumonia and bronchitis are treated here. At the top of the cliff there is a real juniper grove fenced with railings. Vacationers walk along it and enjoy the sea views. The observation deck is located at a height of 82 meters, right above the sculpture of an eagle ready to take off. Opposite the spur, Sail Rock can be seen in the sea. It used to be connected to Limen-Burun by an isthmus, but during the 1927 earthquake the natural bridge was destroyed.
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Haraks Military Camp
Aurorina Rock
The middle part of the cape in the Middle Ages served as a refuge for monks hiding from the worldly bustle. The Tatars, who secured the name of Monastery-Burun for the spur, did not disturb them. By the XIX century, when there was no trace left of the monastery, the rock received a poetic name in honor of the ancient Greek goddess of the morning dawn Aurora.
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White Swallow dacha
Some sources claim that the owner of the “Swallow’s Nest” was the merchant Shelaputin, and it is to him belongs the idea to create a neo-Gothic attraction in the Crimea. Historians are sure that there was a confusion: just 30 meters from the original “nest” is a two-story dacha “White Swallow”, built by order of Shelaputin in 1888. Part of the sanatorium “Zhemchuzhina”, in 2002 it was reconstructed and is now rented to tourists for accommodation. The object is absolutely safe, as it is removed from the edge of the cliff, but from its terrace offers a great view of the “Swallow’s Nest” and the sea.
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Architectural features of the castle “Swallow’s Nest”
Where to stay
