Perekops’kyi Val (Armians’k)

The northern part of the Crimean peninsula attracts tourists with its unique earthwork – the Perekops’kyi Val. This legendary landmark, preserved from times immemorial, is located a few kilometres from the city of Armians’k.

The Perekops’kyi Val history goes back a long way and scientists still do not know the exact time of its founding. Important events of medieval and modern history are associated with the Val.

The first record of this construction has been found in the writings of Herodotus, dating back to the 5th century BC, when the Perekops’kyi Val was called Tafros, which means “moat” in Greek.

Under the sway of Tatars and Turks the Perekops’kyi Val was a fortified stronghold known as Or-Kapu, which means “gates in a rampart with a moat”. During the civil war fierce battles with the White Guards were fought near the Perekops’kyi Val.

Today the Perekops’kyi Val is primarily known as a place of heroic battles of World War II. Since 1941, the Red Army troops bravely defended their positions here. Today, bunkers, trenches and machine-gun pits remind us of stubborn battles against the fascist invaders that took place on this territory in 1943.

In the late 1950s in the centre of the Perekops’kyi Val memorial signs were installed on the soldiers’ beds of honour. During an excursion around this area tourists will have an opportunity to see, located at a distance of several hundred meters, command centres of Marshal Alexander Vasylevs’kyi and General Fedir Tolbukhin.

The Great Victory over the Nazi invaders is annually celebrated in the Perekops’kyi Val. On the ninth of May people come to this place to memorial heroism of soldiers, who sacrificed their lives in fighting for the liberation of the Crimea.

In the post-war years thousands of weapons were found in the area of the Perekops’kyi Val. This place impresses with its sizes, and it looks as impregnable as ever.

The Perekops’kyi Val of 8475 meters long and 15 metres wide is included by the United Nations to the list of 10 most important archaeological sites of the Crimean peninsula.

The Crimean peninsula keeps many mysteries of history: countless mysterious caves, ancient ruins of castles, old towers and Orthodox shrines. You are well advised to visit its local attractions in order to touch ancient times.