The National Centre RUSSIA congratulates Sevastopol on the anniversary of its founding

Sevastopol celebrates the 242nd anniversary of its founding on June 14. On this day in 1783, under the command of Rear Admiral Thomas MacKenzie, the first four stone buildings of the city were laid: MacKenzie's residence as commander of the Sevastopol squadron, a chapel, a smithy in the Admiralty, and a pier later known as the Grafskaya Wharf (Count’s Wharf).

Sevastopol is part of the Southern Federal District, which is represented in the "Journey Across Russia" exposition at the National Centre RUSSIA. Visitors to the exposition can learn about the ancient city of Chersonese, founded by Greek colonists in the 5th century BC on the territory of modern-day Sevastopol. Chersonese became a major trade, political and cultural centre of the Northern Black Sea region. Arts, crafts and philosophy flourished there, and its theatres and temples were among the most prominent in the region.

Today, Sevastopol is home to two sites: the State Historical and Archaeological Museum-Reserve "Tauric Chersonese," which includes the ruins of the ancient city, and the museum and church complex "New Chersonese," which features modern expositions, interactive displays, workshops and costumed performances.

"Our President Vladimir Putin has rightly called Sevastopol the patriotic capital of Russia! This title is not just words, but a reflection of an incredible and heroic history. The path of Saint Andrew the First-Called, the patron of Rus', passed through here. Russian literacy was born here. In 988, Prince Vladimir was baptised here. Today we are implementing grand-scale projects, such as the museum and church complex 'New Chersonese,' a cultural cluster with an opera and ballet theatre, an academy of choreography, and a branch of the Russian Art Gallery. At the same time, Sevastopol is effectively a frontline region. But the people of Sevastopol are unique — they always know how to unite in difficult times. Sevastopol is also a true gem for tourists: its white-stone streets and historic sites (the 35th Coastal Battery, Malakhov Kurgan, Sapun Ridge), unique nature routes along the Greater Sevastopol Trail, and the endless terroirs of the region’s wineries," said Sevastopol Governor Mikhail Razvozhayev.

He emphasised that, by the end of 2025, on the instructions of the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, a branch of the National Centre RUSSIA will open in the city. The branch will be one of five regional branches to open this year in regions selected following project presentations. Branches of the National Centre RUSSIA will also open in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Area – Yugra, the Ryazan region, and Primorye and Krasnoyarsk regions.

Admission to the "Journey Across Russia" exposition is free by prior registration. Full details are available on the National Centre RUSSIA website in the "Events" section.