Sunken Ships Monument

The Sunken Ships Monument rises near the Sevastopol harbor and marks the place where Russian warships were deliberately scuttled to block the bay. A Corinthian column made of granite supports a bronze two-headed eagle clutching an anchor and a wreath.

In 1854, the Russian fleet sank seven aging warships across the harbor entrance to keep enemy vessels out during the Crimean War. The structure was erected in 1905 to honor this defensive measure.

This structure appears on the city's coat of arms since 1969 and was later chosen for Russia's 200-ruble note. People gather here to remember naval sacrifices and to connect with the maritime past of the port.

Access is open and the surrounding area works well for photography, especially at sunrise or late afternoon. The structure stands just a short walk from the boulevard and is easy to reach on foot.

This structure survived the 1927 earthquake, bombing raids during World War II, and German occupation without losing its original eagle and crown. Proposals to replace the imperial crown with Soviet symbols were never carried out.

Location: Sevastopol

Inception: 1905

Architects: Valentin Feldmann

Official opening: 1905

Height: 16.7 m

GPS coordinates: 44.61834,33.52429

Latest update: December 13, 2025 19:41