Alupka

ALUPKA, a seaside climatic resort of national importance on the southern coast of Crimea, 15 km southwest of Yalta and 80 km from Sevastopol, at an altitude of 120 m above sea level. Its picturesque location, abundant vegetation, and climatic advantages have long made Alupka one of the most popular resorts on the Black Sea coast. From the north, Alupka is protected by the Yayla mountain range with its main peak, Ay-Petri (1,233 m), and from the west by the Black Mountain. The climate is mild. The average air temperature is +2.9° in January, +4° in February, +7.5° in March, +12° in April, +17.4° in May, +21.4° in June, +23.8° in July, +23° in August, +17.3° in September, +14° in October, +9° in November, and +5° in December. The number of clear and partly clear days in a year ranges from 200 to 246. Sea bathing lasts from May 15 to September 30, and under favorable conditions from the end of April to the end

of October. The beach is stony. The water temperature in summer is 16-26°. The most beautiful part of Alupka is the park, covering about 40 hectares, with tropical and subtropical vegetation. In the park, amidst dense thickets, large stones ("chaos")—the remnants of a volcanic eruption—are piled in picturesque disorder. Paths are cut through the mass of stones, and grottoes and gorges are arranged. In the center of the park stands the former Vorontsov Palace, built in the 1830s, partly in the Moorish and partly in the Gothic style, with its famous lion terrace. Adjoining the western part of the resort is a dacha settlement and the town of Alupka. Sanatoriums are located in the park, its surroundings, and the dacha settlement. Of particular note is the scientific and demonstration Prof. Bobrov Sanatorium for children suffering from bone and glandular tuberculosis. The season lasts year-round: the warm season from May to October and the cold season from November to April. Grapes are available from August 15 to October 1. Communication with Yalta, Sevastopol, and other resort areas of the southern coast is maintained by highway via automobiles and horse-drawn carriages, and by sea via steamships, motorboats, and motor launches.