Alushta

Alushta (Ukrainian: Алушта; Crimean Tatar: Aluşta; Greek: Ἄλουστον) is a city of regional significance on the southern coast of the Crimean peninsula which is within the Republic of Crimea, an internationally recognized de jure part of Ukraine, but since 2014 a de facto federal subject of the Russian Federation. It is located along the Black Sea coast on the road from Gurzuf to Sudak, as well as on the Crimean Trolleybus line. Population: 29,078 (2014 Census).

Alushta
  • Алушта
  • Aluşta
Alushta
Location of Alushta within Crimea
Alushta
Alushta (Ukraine)
Coordinates: 44°40′2″N 34°23′52″E
CountryTerritory of Ukraine, occupied by Russia
Republic Crimea
MunicipalityAlushta Municipality
Area
  Total6.983 km2 (2.696 sq mi)
Elevation
50 m (160 ft)
Population
 (2014)
  Total29,078
  Density4,200/km2 (11,000/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+2 (MSK)
Postal code
298500 — 298519 (Russia)
Area code+7-36560
Former nameAluston ('till the 15th century)
ClimateCfa
Websitealushta.rk.gov.ru

The area is notable for its arid, rocky terrain due to its proximity to the Crimean mountains. During Byzantine times, the town was called Alouston (Ἄλουστον) meaning "Unwashed". Vestiges survive of a Byzantine defensive tower from a fortress from which the town's name was derived, as well as a 15th-century Genoese fortress. During Genoese rule, the name was modified to Lusta. Adam Mickiewicz dedicated two of his Crimean Sonnets to Alushta.

It is also the home of Seyit the Wolf in the Turkish drama, Kurt Seyit ve Sura.

In 1910, 544 Jews lived in Alushta, comprising 13% of the town's population. By 1939, they made up only 2.3% of the town's overall population, numbering 251 individuals. On 4 November 1941, the Germans occupied the town. On 24 November 1941, a unit of Sonderkommando 10b murdered 30 Jews by shooting along with captured communists and partisans. In early December 1941, about 250 Jews from Alushta were shot to death by Sonderkommando 11b in the park of Trade Union Sanatorium No. 7, which is today part of the local center for children and creativity.

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.