drb
logo



"QUANTUM SHOT" #267
link



"Swallow's Nest" - Little-known Romantic Destination

Something inherently romantic speaks to our hearts when we see a castle looking out to the sea, from a high cliff among imposing coastal mountains. If you remove the hustle of a resort town around it, the place becomes infused with fantasy and magic, especially in the glow of a setting sun.




(images credit: Andrei Yarkov)




(images credit: Andrei Yarkov)

Are we talking Cote D'Azur, or Italy's Liguria coast here? Amazingly, not in this case. "The castle" is located in the most unlikely of all places - in Ukraine (in Gaspra, near Yalta). Crimea Island (or rather a peninsula) escaped coverage in the Western media for many years, mostly due to the mess created by the communist's rule. When the German Baron von Steinheil saw the place in 1911, however, he immediately ordered his architect to design a structure worthy of Neuschwanstein Castle and put it on the prominent Aurora cliff, overlooking the cape of Ai-Todor. It also worth mentioning that originally on this place stood a single wooden hut, apty named "The House of Love".




(images credit: Andrei Yarkov)


"Lastochkino Gnezdo" (The Swallow's Nest, read Wiki's artice) is located close to Yalta and has been closed to general public after surviving a large earthquake in 1927 (the cliff has developed a crack beneath it). However in recent years it's been fully restored and now houses an Italian Restaurant (best location for such a business, I might add, see website). I've been on a tour to this place but never went inside, so I can not really tell you about the decor: this destination is definitely on my list to visit again in the coming years.


(image credit: Erwin Friesen)







Perhaps today this castle does not look as enchanting as in 1900s due to famously shabby Ukranian development all around it. It's better than in other places, though, because the area is well-known as a resort destination, plus you can not take away spectacular natural vistas, no matter how hard you try. Here is a picture of the "Sail Rock" nearby:




(images credit: Andrei Yarkov)

If you are in the hiking mood, you can explore surrounding paths among the cliffs (the area is limited, however, due to resort development). Better yet hop on one of these cute water taxis and head over to Nikitsk Botanical Gardens (possible subject of another post) or to the splendid parks of Gurzuf seaside village.


(image credit: Max Monahov)

You can still watch sunsets over the Black Sea, sipping Italian wine in an exquisitely decorated dining room - inside a diminutive magical castle perched on a cliff. What else could you possibly want? Maybe a more attentive service, perhaps, bearing in mind that it's still a post-Soviet country.


(images credit: Andrei Yarkov)
Additional sources: Ochevidec

CONTINUE TO NEXT PART

Permanent Link...
Category: Travel,Architecture
Related Posts:
Mont Saint Michel (Photos)




RECENT ARTICLES:

Visual Caffeine #8
Visual Caffeine, Issue 8

A thrilling blend of art, myths and technology

Visual Caffeine #7
Visual Caffeine, Issue 7

A thrilling blend of art, myths and technology

Art Deco
Imperial Dreams: Art Deco Update

Wings, Gears, & Glamorous Ladies

1970s SciFi
DRB Pics-of-the-Day

Grand Space Adventure 1970s Art



"Dark Roasted Blend" - All Kinds of Weird and Wonderful Things, Discovered Daily!"

DRB is a top-ranked and respected source for the best in art, travel and fascinating technology, with a highly eclectic presentation. Our in-depth articles in many categories make DRB a valued online magazine, bringing you quality info and entertainment every time you visit the site - About DRB

Connect with us and become part of DRB on Facebook and Twitter.



YOUR COMMENTS::

2 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

I can tall you what it in side...restaurant for very reach Russians only!prices in side are similar to prices at St'Peterburg Marriot.All Castel is owned by Russian Oligarch and it was renovated by him.

___  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Its not Russia ever - its UKRAINE area ;)

___  

Post a Comment

<< Home


SF ART & BOOK REVIEWS:
Don't miss: The Ultimate Guide to NEW SF&F Writers!
Fiction Reviews: Classic Cyberpunk: Extreme Fiction
Short Fiction Reviews: Lovecraft's "At the Mountains of Madness" (with pics)
New Fiction Reviews: The Surreal Office



READ OTHER RECENT ARTICLES:


Abandoned, Dieselpunk
DRB Pic-of-the-Day

Abandoned: Streamlined Three-wheeler

Visual Caffeine #6
Visual Caffeine, Issue 6

A thrilling blend of art, myths and technology

Visual Caffeine #5
Visual Caffeine, Issue 5

A thrilling blend of art, myths and technology

Hellish Weather on Other Planets

Wild, Untamed, and Uncut

Medieval Suits of Armor

Metal Body Suits vs. Weapons of Medieval Destruction

World's Strangest Theme Parks

Amusement to the (twisted) extremes!

Enchanting Victorian Fairy Tale Art

"Then world behind and home ahead..."

Adorable Pedal Cars

Collectable Pedal Vehicles Showcase


Japanese Arcades: Gundam Pods & Other Guilty Pleasures

These machines have gone up to the next level


Modernist Tallinn Architecture

Delicious blend of old and new!


Early Supercomputers: A Visual Overview

"Computers in the future may weigh no more than 1.5 tons"


Futuristic Concept Cars of the 1970-80s

French, Italian & Japanese rare beauties


Epic 1970s French Space Comic Art

DRB Time-Slice: Valérian and Laureline


The Trees Are Escaping! The Abandoned Prison in French Guiana

"Great Escape" from the Devil's Island



FULL ARCHIVES
(with previews, fast loading):

2022/16
2015/14
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006

Link Lattes

Feel-Good & Biscotti Issues





CATEGORIES:
Feel-Good! | airplanes | animals | architecture | art | auto | boats | books | cool ads | famous | futurism | food
gadgets | health | japan | internet | link latte | military | music | nature | photo | russia | steampunk
sci-fi & fantasy | signs | space | technology | trains | travel | vintage | weird | abandoned