The entire history of the capital of the Republic of Crimea, Simferopol, is fully reflected on its streets in the form of monuments. If anyone thinks that this city is not interesting for tourists, then they are very mistaken. Walking along its cozy streets, I discovered many interesting sights, including those that reflect global events.
There are still preserved buildings here that are over a hundred years old. And today the city continues to perpetuate history.
The recently opened monument to “Polite People”, dedicated to the events of the Crimean spring of 2014, caused a lot of noise on the European continent. This is where I recommend starting your acquaintance with Simferopol.
A little about Simferopol
The city of Simferopol is located on the banks of the Salgir River in the central part of the Crimean Peninsula. This foothill region is a hollow formed by the ridges of the Crimean mountains. The dry steppe climate is characterized by mild and warm winters without frost and hot summers, which are longer than in central Russia. The area of Simferopol is 107.41 km2, more than 300 thousand people live here.
Simferopol is located on the banks of the Salgir River in the foothills of Crimea
It is believed that Simferopol was founded in 1784. After this region became part of the Russian Empire, it was decided to create the center of the Tauride region here. Due to its location, the city has become an important transport hub in Crimea.
Nowadays, modern transport infrastructure is well developed here:
- there is a bus route system;
- trolleybuses and trams operate;
- private minibus taxis complement the main system of transportation in the city and its environs;
- The city has a train station and an airport.
A new airport terminal was built in Simferopol
Simferopol, Yalta and Alushta are connected by the world's longest trolleybus line, 86.5 km long, along which intercity routes run from Simferopol (No. 51, 54 to Alushta and No. 52, 55 to Yalta).
How to get to the city
There are several options for getting to Simferopol:
- During the summer, Simferopol airport receives many flights. This allows tourists to get to the capital of Crimea from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Krasnodar, Yekaterinburg, Kazan and other major Russian cities. You can take trolleybus No. 9 from the airport to the city center. Numerous minibuses also ply along the same route;
- you can get there by car, cross the Kerch Strait by ferry or across the recently built Crimean Bridge;
You can get to Simferopol by car, crossing the Kerch Strait via the newly built Crimean Bridge - There is a direct train from Moscow to Simferopol, the travel time is approximately 44 hours, including the ferry ride across the strait from the railway station;
- in summer, tourist buses depart from major Russian cities to Crimea (for example, from the Orekhovo and Shchelkovskaya metro stations in Moscow).
Sights of Simferopol
The capital of Crimea has a rich history, eventful. There are a large number of attractions that attract tourists, so travelers from different countries come to the city with a warm climate for vacations and excursions.
Architectural and historical monuments
The most famous architectural and historical objects are the following:
- The “Shot in the Back” monument is a famous monument dedicated to the Soviet people who tragically died during the Great Patriotic War at the hands of Ukrainian nationalists. Opened in 2007, the author is sculptor Evgeny Yablonsky. The monument consists of the figures of a woman and a man. One of them, depicting a mortally wounded man, seems to be sliding down. You can see the attraction on Sovetskaya Square near the city center;
The “Shot in the Back” monument in Simferopol symbolizes the tragic events that occurred during the Great Patriotic War - Scythian Naples - the ruins of an ancient destroyed city. This archaeological site is located on Petrovsky Heights. Minibus taxis No. 4, 85, 108 depart here, you need to go to the final stop (Tarabukina Street), you can also get up from Vorovskogo Street (ring route A and B);
Scythian Naples in Simferopol is a historical and archaeological reserve - Dintzer's mansion is a two-story residential building built for a wealthy city dweller A.F. Dintser, erected at the beginning of the 20th century. You can see this architectural monument while walking around Simferopol on the embankment of the Salgir River. Nowadays there is a chess and checkers club here, where major tournaments are regularly held;
There is a chess and checkers club in the Dintzer mansion in Simferopol - The Holy Trinity Cathedral is considered one of the main attractions of the city. The facility was built in 1868. The structure is decorated with domes, carved elements and patterns. The relics of Archbishop Luke of Crimea rest here. You can admire the architecture of the temple on Odesskaya Street, 12;
The Holy Trinity Cathedral in Simferopol is one of the main attractions of the city - The kenassa, or prayer building of the Karaites (a small Turkic-speaking people), was built in the 19th century. The building is decorated with bas-reliefs, carved elements on the roof and is made in several architectural styles. You can see the old and new kenassas on Karaimskaya Street;
Kenassa is an architectural monument of the 19th century - Chirakhov's house was built at the beginning of the 20th century for trade. Tourists will be interested in this object due to its unusual Russian-Byzantine style of architecture with Moorish-type details. Now there is a restaurant and a pizzeria here. The house is located on the corner of Kirov Avenue and Odesskaya Street;
Chirakhov's house is distinguished by a mixture of several architectural styles - The Kebir-Jami Mosque, built in 1508 by Mengli Girey Khan, is the main Friday mosque in Crimea, as well as the residence of the mufti. This is the oldest building in the capital of Crimea. Throughout its existence, the building has been restored many times. You can see the architectural landmark on Kurchatov Street;
The Kebir-Jami Mosque is the oldest building in Simferopol - Vorontsov’s house is better known as “House on Salgir”. This building, built in 1827, served as the residence of Governor General M. S. Vorontsov. The architectural style is classic Empire style. You can see the house while walking through the Salgirka Park, where the landmark is located. Address: Yaltinskaya street, 2;
Vorontsov's house in Simferopol is interesting to tourists for its architecture - The tank monument in Pionersky Park is dedicated to the liberators of the city during the Great Patriotic War. A medium flamethrower tank OT-34 No. 201 is installed on the pedestal. It is believed that he was one of the first to enter the city upon liberation;
There is a real tank from the Great Patriotic War on the pedestal. - The Church of the Three Saints is one of the oldest in the city. It was created for the Tauride Theological Seminary in 1903. The establishment was closed in 1922 and reopened in 1997 after restoration. Tourists can see this interesting historical site on Gogol Street, 16. The building is used as a religious institution;
The Church of the Three Saints in Simferopol has a beautiful design - The Church of All Saints, built in 1864, is the only religious site in Simferopol that has never been closed during its entire existence. The external design is made in a classic style. The address of the attraction is Uchebny Lane, 5;
The Church of All Saints in Simferopol has classical architecture and is interesting for its history - The monument to Lenin, erected in 1967, is located on the square of the same name in Simferopol. The sculptor V. G. Stamov and the architect V. V. Popov participated in the development of the project. The pedestal is made of red granite. This attraction, dedicated to the famous politician, is popular among tourists;
The monument to Lenin in Simferopol is located on the square of the same name - Dolgorukovsky Obelisk is one of the most interesting and famous monuments of the city. The monument was erected in 1842. The object is a stepped tetrahedral pyramid with a pointed top, decorated with medallions with bas-reliefs. You can see the obelisk at the intersection of Zhukovsky and Karl Liebknecht streets, next to Victory Square;
Dolgorukovsky Obelisk is a popular tourist attraction in Simferopol - Simferopol railway station on Privokzalnaya Square, built in 1951, is one of the main architectural attractions of the city and a major transport hub in Crimea. The building design was created by A. N. Dushkin.
Simferopol station is a major transport facility and has a beautiful design
Theaters and museums
There are many monuments, beautiful buildings and historical structures in Simferopol. The city’s cultural attractions are no less diverse:
- The Crimean Tatar Academic Music and Drama Theater is the only Turkic-language theater of the peninsula, as well as the only theatrical institution of the Crimean Tatars in the world. Traditional concerts, plays and performances are held here. The theater is located on Mendeleev Street, 5/1;
The Crimean Tatar Academic Music and Drama Theater in Simferopol is the only theatrical institution of the Crimean Tatars in the world - the cinema named after T. G. Shevchenko is the oldest institution of this type in Crimea. Presumably it was opened in 1904. Initially, this cinema was called “Bayan” and was a popular cultural place in the city. Tourists will be interested to look at the Art Nouveau building, decorated with bas-reliefs and an arch. It is located on Gorky Street, 5;
The cinema named after T. G. Shevchenko in Simferopol is considered the oldest cinema in Crimea - The Crimean Ethnographic Museum, located on Pushkin Street, 18, was founded in 1993. There is an extensive collection of exhibits dedicated to the spiritual and material culture of different ethnic groups of Crimea (for example, Armenians and Bulgarians, Crimean Tatars and Karaites). Household items, clothing, and handicrafts characterize the traditions of each nationality. The total number of exhibits reaches 3500;
The Crimean Ethnographic Museum in Simferopol presents exhibits characterizing the different ethnic groups of Crimea - The Simferopol Art Museum was originally an art gallery created in 1922. Now here you can see the creations of masters from different countries and eras. Several rare works by famous artists are presented here, for example, the painting “Night on the Dnieper” by A. I. Kuindzhi. The original version of the painting is in the Russian Museum, and copies created by him can be seen in the Simferopol Art Museum and the Tretyakov Gallery. The address of the museum is Dolgorukovskaya street, 35.
The Simferopol Art Museum presents to visitors many interesting and rare exhibits
Parks of the Crimean capital
You can admire the nature of the peninsula while walking around the outskirts of the city and when visiting parks in Simferopol. The most popular places are:
- Catherine's Garden, or Central Park of Culture and Recreation, is the very first public park in Simferopol, founded in 1820. This place is located in the Kirovsky district of the city, not far from the Simferopol cinema. A landscaped area with cafes, benches, and well-groomed alleys is popular for recreation and cultural and entertainment events;
Citizens and tourists often relax in the Catherine Garden of Simferopol - Botanical Garden named after. N.V. Bagrova Tauride Academy of the Crimean Federal University. V.I. Vernadsky is also called Salgirka Park, or Vorontsov Park. The area of the garden is 32.6 hectares; 8 exhibitions have been created here. The park, founded in 1797, is one of the oldest in Crimea. Here you can see the estate of P.S. Pallas, monuments and Vorontsov’s house. The facility is located in the Kiev district of Simferopol;
In the Salgirka park in Simferopol there is a botanical garden and many architectural monuments - The park named after Yuri Gagarin was founded in 1965 and is a popular recreation area for local residents and tourists. It is located in the Zheleznodorozhny district of Simferopol. There are beautiful alleys with spruce and deciduous trees. On the central site of the park there is an interesting monument in the form of several female silhouettes.
In the park named after Yuri Gagarin in Simferopol there is dense vegetation and landscaped alleys
Part 2. Monument to Simferopol VVPSU
Of course, the apotheosis of the celebration was the opening of a memorial sign, but in essence and essence of the MONUMENT to the Simferopol VVPSU. There is no other way to treat him. The monument was opened by 1971 graduate V. Dulepov and 1993 graduate S. Aksenov. This is a monument to all of us. To those who studied, served, taught or worked at the School. Cadets and soldiers, colonels and lieutenants, warrant officers, workers and employees of the SA. The monument has an interesting fate. It was created in two stages. It was born with difficulty, going from idea to project and from project to embodiment in granite and bronze. It was hard work from a friendly and efficient team. But even to us sometimes it seemed that nothing would work out and, in general, why all this was needed. The first stage was the idea. It so happened that I had to become the author of the idea, which in turn appeared after the editorial team of the military-historical magazine “Military Crimea” (Sergey Chennyk, Boris Karpushevsky, Victor Nadikta) created a tails version of the SVVPSU graduates badge for everyday wear. This is a kind of corporate “identification mark”. The second stage began after a trial batch of 500 characters was ordered and its success became obvious. Then a team of people who were not indifferent to the memory of the School decided to install a sign for the Simferopol VVPSU near the headquarters building. That is, near the building that is familiar to everyone who is in one way or another connected with the School. I consider it necessary to mention their names. These are Colonel Vladimir Ilyukhin and Lieutenant Colonel Vladimir Yakubchik - two ascetics and patriots of the School, of which they are graduates. One day, I presented to them first my model of the monument, and then a drawing with clarifications and additions. The engineering project, called “Duty and Honor,” which flawlessly passed all administrative stages in the offices of officials at various levels, was developed and put into paper by Colonel Ivan Vatulko, at one time a teacher, and even earlier, the commander of the School. The “performer” was an enterprise headed by SVVPSU graduate Viktor Zakhozhiy, and the customer was the Council of Veterans of the School, headed by Colonel V. Smirnov. Financing came through the Military Glory of Crimea Charitable Foundation (president – S. Chennyk). Invaluable assistance was provided by School graduates V. Duma, O. Mokshin and others, who took on part of the routine work, without which nothing simply would have happened.
The project was fully financed by graduates of the School, who, along with the Veterans Council, organized the fundraising for the monument. The money was collected “in a random way,” as was always done in the army, bit by bit. From Kaliningrad to the Kuril Islands, everyone “threw” as much as they could, and in the end they accumulated the minimum required amount. I will name the names of those who most significantly financially supported the project: V. Makarov, V. Novikov, Yu. Durov, V. Pelikh, V. Shapovalenko, A. Litvinenko, A. Budnik, S. Boychik and others. Although, let’s be honest. What was collected on the day of the installation of the monument through voluntary contributions received from ONLY 170 people is not all that would be enough to implement the idea in stone and metal. The activity of only 1% of the total number of graduates could not cover the necessary expenses. But the SVVPSU school worked and thanks to several of our brothers who were rooting for the common cause with their souls and hearts, the project was funded. No further comments and let everyone evaluate their own participation in the work on the monument. The main thing is that not just another monument appeared in Simferopol. Now we have a place where you can bow to your friends who are no longer there, put flowers and just stand in silence. And as long as we pass by the monument, we see these flowers there - we will know that we still exist!
I was pleased to say at the opening of the Memorial Sign what I was thinking: “Today there are no colonels, lieutenant colonels, or majors among us - we are all cadets, and the only people who have a rank are our teachers, who gave us a ticket into a big life. I am very pleased that the idea of this monument became a reality thanks to caring people.” I am glad that the city authorities have begun to improve the surrounding area, which may become one of the most beautiful places in the city. Well, whoever decides to support the work on further preserving the memory of the School - please! The accounts are indicated, and we will tell you more about the plans. As Leonid Smirnov, chairman of the Council of Veterans of the organization “Veterans of the SVVPSU”, noted at the opening of the Monument, now the school no longer exists, but it lives in our hearts. “We are opening with you a new page in the history of our school. This opportunity was realized thanks to our leaders,” said Smirnov. In turn, M. Sheremet added that being a graduate of Simferopol VVPSU has always been and will be an honor, since the school has graduated many officers who are now working in military structures. “I am honored to be here with my comrades, colleagues and friends. The life of a military man is not only honor and respect, but also participation in military companies,” said a deputy of the State Duma of the Russian Federation.
City at different times of the year
In summer the air temperature can reach +35 °C. This allows tourists to go on long excursions, relax on beaches or in parks. For example, it is worth visiting the Trenev Park, located between Kirov Avenue, Gogol, Samokish and Sevastopolskaya streets. This vacation spot was founded in 1957 and named after the famous writer K. A. Trenev.
Parks are a popular recreation area in Simferopol
In autumn it becomes cooler: the average air temperature in October is +13 °C. It rains infrequently, but can spoil long outdoor excursions. Therefore, in bad weather, tourists can visit the Musical Theater of the Republic of Crimea. Performances are held here for spectators of different ages, so the theater will be of interest to both adults and children. Address: Kirova Avenue, 17.
The Musical Theater of the Republic of Crimea in Simferopol hosts performances for adults and children
In winter, the Crimean Peninsula maintains positive temperatures during the day, but negative values are possible at night. Short excursions at this time of year will be comfortable, and for a detailed acquaintance with the industry and history of the city, it is worth visiting the Crimea Trolleybus Electric Transport Museum. It was founded in 1977. Here are photographs, documents, exhibits characterizing the development of electric transport in Simferopol. The address of the museum is Kyiv street, 78.
The Museum of Electric Transport "Crimean Trolleybus" in Simferopol allows you to learn more about the history of the development of the transport industry
In spring, the air temperature gradually rises, and sunny weather allows you to walk for a long time along the streets of Simferopol (for example, in April the air warms up to +10 °C on average). During a tour of the city, it is worth looking at the snow-white Alexander Nevsky Cathedral with golden domes, which was built in 1829, then destroyed and is now under restoration. The building is located on the street. Alexandra Nevsky, 6.
Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is famous for its beautiful architecture and is one of the main attractions of Simferopol
The Crimean Peninsula has a mild climate, so you can relax here at any time of the year. Summers can be hot and with minimal rainfall, while winters can be cool and cloudy. Many tourists come here in early autumn and late spring, since at this time there is no scorching sun and little rain.
Part 3. Holiday
The celebration began with the formation of graduates on the parade ground, which is so dear to each of us. More than two thousand officers who graduated from the School, on Saturday, June 24, gathered near the checkpoint of the long-disbanded university to celebrate its 50th anniversary. Businessmen, officials and ordinary pensioners, without hiding their emotions, congratulated each other on the anniversary of the now defunct educational institution. Having opened the monument, they moved to the parade ground, where they lined up along the line on which stood the Russian Guard servicemen, holding signs in their hands indicating the year of graduation, department or any other service of the SVVPSU. There were guests from Russia, Belarus, Moldova, Azerbaijan, and Armenia. There were guests from Germany, the USA, Israel, and Portugal. Fate scattered us so much and it’s good that the day came when we returned to where it all began. Although what kind of guests they are, we have returned HOME! I would like to make special mention of my classmates who came from Ukraine. Special thanks to you, brothers! It is extremely difficult to describe those emotions, that joy, that storm of feelings that hovered over the capital of Crimea on the morning of June 24th. When meeting old friends, former cadets cried and laughed (and these tears did not bother anyone at all), hugged, and warmly shook each other’s hands. Still would! After all, many of them have not seen each other since graduating from university. People came from far away to see their classmates again. They meet their teachers with pleasure. For the guests of honor, among whom were the former head of the School, Major General V. Pavlichenko, the last head of the political department, Colonel A. Shamruk, the last deputy head, Colonel V. Korovianko, graduates of the School of Law of the Republic of Crimea S. Aksenov, State Duma deputy M. Sheremet, commanders formation of the Russian Guard, Major General S. Gaidarzhiysky and others.. Unfortunately, for various reasons, the head of the educational department V. Savelyev and the deputy head of the school Yu. Davydov were not able to attend. For guests from among the workers, employees, as well as for the teachers of the school, a special a beautiful canopy that protected them from the rain. Although, let’s be fair, the weather turned out to be favorable to us and, having “saluted” the School with rare drops, the rain disappeared... The signal to start the ceremony was the Russian anthem, then the honorary participants in the celebration were greeted by the fifth head of the school, Major General V. Pavlichenko, who, to the sounds of “Oncoming march" was met with a report from Colonel V. Korovianko. The carrying out of the Battle Banner of the Simferopol Higher Military-Political Construction School by the banner group was unusually exciting. I will talk about this in more detail below. Veterans and graduates of the Simferopol VVPSU were congratulated by the Head of the Republic of Crimea, Sergei Aksenov: “It is very significant that we have gathered here on the anniversary of the Simferopol VVPSU, whose graduates reliably guarded the stability, independence and national security of the state, devoting their lives to difficult service and military feats. Today, a new generation of military personnel has worthily taken up the baton of courage and honor and is mastering new developments and new technologies. It is gratifying that Simferopol has long served as a center for training the military elite - for almost 30 years our glorious School was located here. Over the years of its existence, over 13,000 officers have been trained here, who served and continue to serve with dignity not only in Russia, but also outside the state. We remember our fathers, commanders, teachers and those people who prepared us for a great life in the armed forces. I am sure that each of us has warm feelings for this place. Our teachers thought for us, and you and I were under the protection of the state, so that during our lives we could repay our debt to our Motherland. Today there are graduates standing here, whom I want to congratulate on the 50th anniversary of our school, wish you good health and success!”
Sights of Simferopol for children
When traveling to Crimea with a child, it is important to take into account those places where adults and children will be interested. There are many such attractions in Simferopol:
- Denisovskaya Ostrich Farm is an amusement park for families, located 6 km from the city. Excursions, horseback riding and fishing are organized here. Children can learn a lot of new things and see ostriches, peacocks, geese, ducks, Vietnamese piglets and other animals. In the restaurant you can try dishes made from ostrich meat. The farm is located in the village of Denisovo, on Solnechnaya Street, 15;
The Denisovo ostrich farm near Simferopol is popular for excursions for tourists with children - Not far from the Red Caves in the Simferopol region there is the Viking cinema park. It was opened based on the scenery from the set of the Russian film "Viking". The area is a reconstruction of a Viking settlement from the 8th–11th centuries. The houses have craft workshops; theatrical fights are held for visitors, as well as master classes and games;
The Viking Cinema Park in Simferopol is known as the filming location for the Russian film of the same name. - The Salon du Chocolat chocolate museum will be of interest to adults and children, because it displays the skillful creations of modern confectioners made from different types of chocolate. The exhibition includes confectionery products in the form of famous architectural objects, portraits, bouquets and other figures. There is also a cafe where you can try a variety of cakes and pastries. This place is located on Kirova Avenue, 66;
The Salon du Chocolat chocolate museum in Simferopol allows you not only to look at original sweet products, but also to try different creations of confectioners - The Crimean Academic Puppet Theater is one of the oldest puppet theaters in Crimea, since it was opened in 1939. The building is unremarkable from the outside, but the performances are popular among locals. Performances in a variety of genres are held here. You can visit this place on Gorky Street, 9;
The Crimean Academic Puppet Theater in Simferopol is often visited by local residents - The Children's Park is famous as one of the most visited places in the city, because it hosts entertainment and cultural events. It was opened in 1958 and covers an area of 17 hectares. There are attractions, well-groomed alleys, and cafes. The park is located in the Kievsky district.
Children's Park of Simferopol is a comfortable place for relaxation for children and adults
There are many places in the Crimean city where children will be interested. Museums, parks, a farm, theaters and much more make for an exciting holiday in any season. If the excursions are long, then you can easily have lunch with your child in restaurants or cafes. It is worth trying traditional cuisine and buying souvenirs.
Short trip
Simferopol is a big city with many attractions. Therefore, you should devote at least 3–5 days to excursions and stay here. To do this, you should book a hotel room in advance and place your luggage. Before traveling, it is best to familiarize yourself with the excursion options offered by local guides. This will allow you to quickly find your way around the city, find out basic information about Simferopol and determine your future vacation plan.
If your stay in the city lasts 1 day, then you don’t have to check into a hotel. Considering your departure time, you can take a walk around the city and be sure to visit one of the famous parks.
Short-term trips from Simferopol to nearby resort areas, which can be reached by electric train, are popular among tourists. For example, you can get to Bakhchisarai in 30 minutes, and it takes about 2 hours to get to Evpatoria.
Part 6. Orchestra
Not everyone paid attention to this, but it became one of the pleasant unexpected sensations of the holiday. The military conductor of the orchestra of the Russian Guard unit, V. Gabak, was a musician in the orchestra during the existence of the School. And on the day of the anniversary of the SVVPSU, he put the orchestra’s veterans in the first two ranks. That is, the music that sounded on the parade ground on June 24, 2017 was performed by those to whose performance many of us walked in the ranks of our units back in the glorious years of cadets. Still, our military musicians are great!
Features of culture and traditions
In the capital of Crimea, there are certain rules and traditions that are important for tourists to take into account. The main features of staying here are as follows:
- from May to September there are many tourists in the city, so it is best to book hotel rooms in advance;
- You should follow safety rules and be careful. For example, you cannot purchase tickets or anything else from private individuals, and it is also important to keep valuables and documents under supervision;
- The historical district of Simferopol is best explored during the day and as part of a tourist group, and you can walk around the central district until late in the evening, but it is noisy and there are many nightclubs.
Part 4. Znamenny group
The removal of the Battle Banner became a real sensation. Many of us will not deny that tears welled up in our eyes when, to the sounds of a march, after the command given in the painfully familiar voice of Colonel Korovianko, the Banner Group entered the parade ground! It included two of those who had been it for many years - Colonel Nikolai Gottibovich Tsey and Lieutenant Colonel Vladimir Ivanovich Mazura. The assistants were also graduates of our school! By the way, this idea was proposed and implemented by our own officers: V. Yakubchik, V. Ilyukhin, N. Tsei and V. Korovianko... I’ll tell you a secret - the sea-green ceremonial uniform was not taken out of the home storerooms. It was sewn specially for this day in an army tailor shop in Sevastopol. Shoes were also purchased there. The Znamenny Group's training took place a month before the Anniversary on the School's parade ground, including with the participation of the orchestra of the Russian National Guard unit. Thank you General S. Gaidarzhiysky!
Photo gallery: maps of different areas
The airport is located in the village of Aeroflotsky (12 km northwest of the center of Simferopol)
The botanical garden is located near the center of Simferopol
The Kievsky district of Simferopol has quiet streets and a provincial atmosphere
On the outskirts of Simferopol there is a park and stadium
There is a highway near the reservoir in Simferopol
The center of Simferopol is the busiest
