The first state person to visit Crimea was the Catherine the Great. This trip in 1787 became the most expensive one in the history of Crimea. It cost the Russian treasury 15 million of rubles. Together with the empress British, Austrian and French envoys went to Crimea. There is information that the Austrian Emperor Joseph II accompanied Catherine, albeit incognito. But the purpose of the journey was far from educational, so later Crimea becomes a resort of Russian aristocracy, so Russian Czars and elite started building their summer residences here. You can travel the genuine "Path of the Czar" which begins near Livadiysky Palace and connects the estates of both the Czar and the prince’s. Along this very path walked the members of the Imperial family during their stays in this royal hideaway! Now the palaces are open for visitors and anyone can study the life of Russian aristocracy.

Livadiysky Palace Yalta, Livadia

The palace was built in Renaissance style in 1910-1911 according to the designs of M. Krasnov. In the complex the master combined the mysterious Byzantine and Arabic motifs with more traditional Gothic ones. When in the palace, you will see the study of Nicholas II, the last Russian emperor. Now there is an exposition dedicated to the life of the Czar’s family in Crimea, but Livadiysky Palace is known because of another event. In 1945 it hosted the historic summit between the three most powerful men in the alliance fighting Nazi Germany, Joseph Stalin, Winston Churchill and Franklin D. Roosevelt. Visitors can sit at the round table used for the actual negotiations and in the armchair where members of the 3-member coalition sat to discuss the future of a post Hitler Europe.

Vorontsovsky Palace Alupka, 10 Palatsove Shose

The palace was erected according to the designs of E. Blor in 1828-1848 for count Vorontsov. The master of his time was George IV and Queen Victoria’s court architect. He was the author of the design of the Westminster Abbey and a part of a front of the Buckingham Palace. There you will learn how one can combine such seemingly incompatible things such as British Gothic and oriental coloring in one building. From the mountains the palace reminds one of an impregnable British castle and from the sea – of an oriental temple. Architect Edward Blor was a friend of Walter Scott, so they say that the northern front of the palace illustrates the works of the famous novelist. Today the palace houses a museum.

Masandrivsky Palace Yalta, Upper Masandra

The palace, designed by French architect Buchar, was built in 1892-1902 for Emperor Aleksandr III. In the course of its history Masandrivsky Palace was a place for rest during walking and hunting and also a VIP residence. Now the palace is open for visitors.

Lastivchyne Hnizdo (the Swallow’s nest)

This castle designed by L. Sherwood in 1911-1912 for baron Sneigel is a so-called emblem of the Southern coast of Crimea. Situated on a steep rock of Ai-Thodor Cape it reminds of a miniature knight’s castle. There is a restaurant and a viewing area for visitors.

Dulber Palace Miskhor

The palace was built in 1895-1897 for the great prince Petro Romanov. The combination of the palace and the park will get you to the world of oriental fairy tales. Silver domes, battlements, numerous arches and ornaments remind one of 15-th century Egypt. Today the palace houses a sanatorium which welcomes its visitors.