The hero city of Kerch is one of the very first settlements on which the attacks of the Nazi forces fell in the distant 41th year. It was through him that the front line passed four times. And it was he who was twice occupied by enemy troops. 15 thousand civilians were killed, 14 000 were taken to Germany. The hero city of Kerch has really experienced a lot. However, few people know about this.
Legendary city
Kerch is one of the oldest cities in the world. It arose only a year later than Rome. In 2000, in September, Kerch celebrated its 2600th anniversary - a significant date. For all this time, the city has changed several names. He was called Panticapaeum, Bosporus, Korchev, Cherkio - but these names did not stick to him, unlike the modern one. While Kerch was Panticapaeum, the Greeks lived here. For 900 years, the city was the capital of the Bosporus kingdom. It, by the way, in the I century BC. e. became dependent on the Roman Empire. A relatively long time, by the way, is about 200 years. In the III century, the Bosporus kingdom fell into decay - devastating wars began, and Kerch was destroyed. But the city was restored, and in the VI century it turned into a Byzantine fortress. In the X century, Kerch, then called Korchev, became part of the Principality of Tmutarakan, but not for long - in the XIV-XV centuries it was renamed Cherkio, and it began to belong to the Genoese.
The beginning of the story
The wartime of the 40s of the XX century is the most tragic and significant period for the peninsula. The small, secluded, cozy, located on the outskirts of Crimea, the hero city of Kerch was captured in October 1941. These were fierce hostilities, as a result of which the Nazis still managed to capture him. The city was completely freed from the invaders only on the penultimate day of December of that year. Thanks to the 51st Army, as well as the combined forces of the Black Sea Fleet and the military Azov Flotilla, peace was restored to Kerch.
But over the past month and a half, the hero city of Kerch suffered a huge amount of suffering and suffered incredible losses. There is one place there - called Bagerovsky moat. It was there that more than 7,000 civilians were executed.
But peacetime ended quickly. In May 1942, the fascist troops returned to the hero city of Kerch. History says that they were courageously resisted by local detachments of partisans and underground workers who were hiding in the caves of Adzhimushkaysky and Starokarantinsky quarries.
Exemption
After the Nazi forces were defeated in the Caucasus, battles for the liberation of the Crimean peninsula began. In 1943, the operation began under the name "Protection of Tierra del Fuego". For 36 long days there were bloody battles - nothing but a chilling firestorm could be discerned. The paratroopers showed incredible courage and courage. It was a truly unequal battle, in which nevertheless they managed to survive.
In 1944, the hero city of Kerch was again liberated. Briefly about this, one can say this: on April 11, an active assault on the combined forces of the Azov military flotilla, the Black Sea Fleet, and also the Separate Primorye Army began. The aviation forces of the Fourth Air Army also helped to fight. It was another long battle.
The hero city called Kerch courageously went through all the troubles of the war. More than 85% of buildings and structures were simply destroyed. The handsome city was not like itself. The number of inhabitants decreased from one hundred thousand to 30. They and their loved ones exerted incredible resistance forces to defend their home harbor. This is the military history of the hero city. Kerch will remember this terrible event for a long time, which claimed tens of thousands of lives.
sights
Many people choose hero cities as their vacation spots. Kerch is no exception. Indeed, some people like to go on vacation to places of former glory, be proud, look at historical military monuments. And Kerch is also a resort city.
Its attractions are very diverse, and each of them represents a certain era. The most famous are located right in the center of the city - this is Mount Mithridates, the Great Mithridates Stairs and the Obelisk of Glory. Lenin Square, the eternal lights, the Church of St. John the Baptist, made in the traditional European style, is just a small list of places to visit when you come to rest in Kerch.
The hero city, the project of which was actively developed and implemented after the war (as mentioned above, the settlement was almost completely destroyed, so it had to be built anew), is really attractive for tourists. In addition, today this city is the largest industrial center.
Tourist-excursion center
So far, Kerch is only gaining popularity. For many, this city remains a mystery - uncharted land. However, due to events of a political nature over the past year, much has been said about the hero city of Kerch. In particular, due to the fact that the ferry that connects the Crimean peninsula with the mainland of Russia is located here. Every day, hundreds of people come to Kerch to sail by ferry to the port of Kavkaz and back. Due to this, the name of the city began to flicker more often in news, newspapers and magazines. Many new facts began to be learned about Kerch. And the city began to gain popularity. For the summer of 2015, for example, more than half of the hotels, inns, apartments and guest houses have already been booked. The number of Kerch connoisseurs and admirers is increasing - with such successes, perhaps this city will become even more popular than Yalta.
Industrial centre
The territory of the city is 108 square meters. km, Kerch stretched almost fifty kilometers along the famous strait. If you count across the Crimea, then only Sevastopol can compete with such significant indicators, which, as everyone knows, is also included in the list called "Hero-cities". Kerch is an excellent recreation area. It has numerous guest houses located right on the sandy shore. In the north-eastern part of the city, a comfortable recreation area with beaches is also formed. Nearby is the port of Crimea itself.
But the center of Kerch is the most attractive part for tourists. He is getting prettier every day. The embankment also cannot fail to attract attention - a lot of restaurants, bars, attractions, cozy parks, secluded streets, beautiful modern buildings, shops, shopping centers. In general, tourism in Kerch is developing actively - and this has a positive effect on the rating of Crimea among the most visited resorts in Russia and Europe.
Souvenirs
A significant place in history is occupied by the hero city of Kerch. The coin created in his honor is not only a souvenir, but also a value reminiscent of his heroic past. True, the circulation was made 20 years ago - under Ukraine. This is a coin in denomination of 200 thousand carbovanets, made of cupronickel. It was released in a circulation of 50 thousand copies - quite a lot, by the way, for the anniversary coin. Many collectors have it in their collection. By the way, this is a great gift for a true patriot. These banknotes have become particularly popular recently - after the return of Crimea to the Russian Federation.
Assignment of Honor
September 14, 1973 Kerch became officially called the hero city. This date is firmly in history. Why is Kerch a hero city? Many people who do not know history ask this question. Of course, Kerch is not such a famous place of former glory as Sevastopol, Minsk, Brest or Murmansk. However, it is also worthy of this title.
In April 1974, Kerch shone: crowded squares, sunny weather, a welcoming atmosphere, elegantly decorated streets. The city received its liberators. But it was only preparation for the holiday. But on the 11th, it was really a day of remembrance - the Kerch veterans and workers proudly laid flowers on Mithridates at the obelisk, planted a tree alley in Youth Park and then went to admire the warships of the Black Sea Red Banner Fleet, who greeted the sunny city with waving flags. This was the first holiday that Kerch celebrated in its new status as a hero city.
Future plans
Kerch will be improved and developed - this is unique. Now that this is the “gate of the Crimea" (previously it was called the inconspicuous town of Dzhankoy, when the peninsula was still part of Ukraine), then the city should be of the appropriate level. Although it is already quite well developed, it is necessary to make it even better.
For example, plans to build a highway to Sevastopol are already in development. It is very important to actually modernize the transport complex, reconstruct existing roads and build new ones. About 445 billion rubles will be spent on these works. Such information was announced by the head of the Crimean republic - Sergei Aksyonov. True, this amount will go not only to Kerch, but also to the entire peninsula.
Bridge over the Kerch Strait
Also, now everyone is concerned about the construction of a bridge or tunnel across the Kerch Strait. The crossing, of course, works in good faith, but due to regularly changing weather conditions (either fog, rain, or storm), it often stops its work. This slows down the movement of ferries, and, accordingly, trucks with products, household chemicals, furniture and cars are delayed. So the construction of the bridge today is one of the main tasks for the Crimean government. It is no secret to anyone that these plans have been around for decades. However, today this issue is particularly acute - due to the fact that it is through Kerch that Crimea is connected with Russia. So the problem must be solved as soon as possible.