Bell of Chersonesos, Bell at Chersonesos Archaeological Reserve, Sevastopol, Ukraine

The Bell of Chersonesos is a large bell cast from Turkish cannons and positioned at the Chersonesos Archaeological Reserve near the Black Sea coast. The structure stands prominently within the ancient site and is visible from a distance.

Cast in 1778 in Taganrog from captured Turkish cannons, the bell was sent to Sevastopol in 1803 by order of Alexander I for the Church of St Nicholas. During the Crimean War of 1853–1856 French forces took it to Paris and hung it in the north tower of Notre-Dame. Found there in 1913, it was returned to Sevastopol on 23 November 1913 and placed on the monastery bell tower at Chersonesos.

The bell features engravings of saints on its surface and speaks to its role in maritime life and Orthodox practices. It represents the connection between this coastal community and the religious traditions that shaped daily living here.

The bell sits in the open grounds of the archaeological reserve and is easy to locate while exploring the site. Plan to spend time viewing the surrounding ancient ruins, as it forms part of a larger historical complex.

In 1975 the bell appeared in the film The Adventures of Buratino, in the scene where the heroes reach the Field of Wonders; in the film it still had its clapper. Its image was placed on a bas-relief of Taganrog's City of Military Glory memorial in 2015 and on Russia's 200-ruble banknote in 2017.