Tuzla Island (Crimea, Russia) - detailed description, location, reviews, photos and videos.
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Tuzla Island is one of the little-known attractions of the Crimean Peninsula. Located in the southern part of the Kerch Strait, the sandy island has the shape of an arc with a length of 6 km and is located between two seas - the Black and Azov. Due to the constant ebb and flow of the tides, the island repeatedly changed its shape, and was once even part of the Taman Peninsula. Today, Tuzla offers uncrowded sandy beaches, clear water, a favorable climate for recreation and a wide variety of flora and fauna. There are dozens of hotels and tourist centers on the island; the infrastructure of Tuzla is far from the level of large Crimean resorts, but it is this factor that gives the island its uniqueness. If you want to take a break from the noise of civilization and enjoy a “wild” holiday alone with nature, Tuzla is an ideal place to visit.
Tuzla Island offers uncrowded sandy beaches, clear seas, rich nature and a peaceful break from the noise of civilization.
How to get there
You can get to Tuzla Island by ferry or on your own. Excursions to the island are not organized.
Island infrastructure
There are two recreation centers on the island of Tuzla. One of them is “Two Seas”, it is a complex of several dozen houses. Each house is equipped with the necessary furniture: beds, bedside tables, refrigerator, table and chairs. The complex has a shared kitchen; there is also a TV room, billiards and table tennis. In addition, volleyball and football courts, catamaran and boat rentals are available to tourists. There is also a first aid station and a public toilet on Tuzla. The attractions of the island include the once thriving but now abandoned village, which used to be an integral part of Kerch. Fans of extreme tourism will appreciate the mysterious and gloomy atmosphere of abandoned buildings and houses.
Among the shortcomings, it is worth noting the absence of any cafes and catering establishments on the island, so it is better to purchase food outside Tuzla or in a local store.
Nature of the island
Perhaps the main reason why you should go to Tuzla is nature and unity with it. Such crystal clear sea water can hardly be found in other places in Crimea. Moreover, thanks to the location of the island, you can enjoy swimming in several seas at once. Hermit crabs, rapana, various fish and other marine life live on their shores. You can often see dolphins swimming not far from the island. The spectacle is truly breathtaking! Fans of fishing will definitely like Tuzla - the catch here is simply wonderful: flounder, gobies, mullet, garfish, anchovy and other inhabitants of the seas will be easily caught even by beginners.
Fishing is especially good in the western part of the island, where local fishermen have settled.
Tuzla Island
On the island itself, steppe bushy terrain predominates. In some parts of Tuzla there are trees under which you can hide from the scorching midday sun. At night, mosquitoes are especially active, so don’t forget to stock up on insect bite repellents. If you are not a picky tourist and do not depend too much on comfortable conditions, Tuzla will give you an unforgettable experience of relaxing in the wild nature of the island.
In the northeast of Bosnia and Herzegovina is the tourist center of Tuzla. This is one of the oldest cities in the country. The buildings from the period of Ottoman rule – beautiful ancient mosques – are still preserved here. The salt lakes located in Tuzla are very popular among foreign tourists. The authorities have organized a medical resort, which attracts citizens of different countries. Among other places of interest in the city, special attention is drawn to the preserved neighborhoods, ancient houses, the city park and various galleries. Life in Tuzla is relaxed, allowing visitors to enjoy a peaceful holiday.
The first settlements on the territory of this city arose during the Neolithic period. This is evidenced by numerous finds on the territory of Tuzla. The following mentions of this city date back to the fortieth year of the seventeenth century, when it became part of the Ottoman Empire. The new authorities organized salt mining on site, as a result of which Tuzla became one of the important centers for this type of activity. The economic growth of this region dates back to the seventeenth century, when crafts began to rapidly develop in the city. Tuzla received the status of the administrative center of the Zvornik sanjak. As a result, the population increased markedly.
In the twentieth of December of the twentieth year of the twentieth century, a miners' uprising broke out near Tuzla - it was the most important uprising of the working class in the history of Bosnia and Herzegovina. During the Second World War, local residents were subjected to brutal terror by the German occupiers. In October of the forty-third year of the twentieth century, the partisan formations of Yugoslavia managed to liberate the city from the Nazis. During the Bosnian military conflict, the Serbs sought to capture Tuzla, but they failed to break through the defense. On July 17, 1998, Tuzla received the status of an open city. Copyright www.site
Do you want to see the most beautiful religious building in the Bosnian settlement? In the sixteenth century, the first mosque was built in Tuzla, which currently has several names, so everyone calls it differently: for some it is Sharena, others are used to the Chasnaya, many locals call it Atik or Gorodskaya, which is often heard Behram-begova. Who founded it still remains a mystery. The mosque received its last name in honor of the man who paid for the renovation in the seventeenth century. During the same period, a mekteb and a madrasah, as well as several religious educational institutions, were built in the neighborhood.
In the seventy-first year of the nineteenth century, there was a severe fire in the city, as a result of which the mosque with the mekteb and the madrasah were almost completely burned down. Seventeen years later, a new Muslim shrine was erected in the neo-Moorish style. Upon completion of construction, an elegant mosque appeared in the city, which still delights guests and local residents with its elegant decoration. All interior walls from floor to ceiling are decorated with a variety of geometric and floral decorations. Thanks to this, the mosque received the name “Sharena”, which translated from the local dialect means “Motley”.
It is impossible to visit Tuzla, the salt center of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and not visit one of the main squares. The city is located on the site where in ancient times there was the Pannonian Sea. When the water completely disappeared, a lot of salt remained on the ground, so the main occupation of local residents in ancient times was the extraction of this substance. In Tuzla, in memory of the main “gift” of nature, there is Salt Street and Salt Square. During the rule of the Ottomans, wide wells were dug in the center of the city, where a solution containing impurities of “natural treasure” was collected. Then the water was heated, evaporated, and the remaining salt was sent for drying.
And it is one of the three largest metropolitan areas in the country. In ancient times, salt deposits were discovered on the site of the future Tuzla, which gave the name to the city: until 950 it was called Soli, later the name changed to Tuzla (from the Turkic word - tuzlu - “salty”).
History of TuzlaArchaeological excavations confirm that various settlements have been located on the territory of the current city of Tuzla since the Neolithic era. Salt mining allowed the local population to actively develop trade relations with nearby peoples. One has only to look at where Tuzla is located on the map, and it will become obvious that the city has always been a tasty morsel for great empires. The Turks were the first to pay attention to it, and from 1510 Tuzla became an outpost of the Ottoman Empire. After almost 400 years of Muslim rule, the city was annexed by Austria-Hungary. After the collapse of this empire, Tuzla became part of the Yugoslav Kingdom. During World War II, the territory was controlled by the Ustasha party. The overthrow of the fascist regime took place in 1943 by the People's Liberation Army of Yugoslavia. In the Bosnian War 1992-1995. the city was the most protected from Serb attacks, but many sad incidents occurred there. As one of the largest industrial centers in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Tuzla experienced a huge economic downturn in early 2014. Today Tuzla, whose photos adorn tourist brochures about Bosnia, is a developing city with enormous potential.
Tourism in TuzlaSince the Ottoman Empire, many monuments have remained in the city. The Turalibeg Mosque, built in the 16th century, is considered the most valuable. The Orthodox Church and Franciscan Monastery are of interest, while the nearest Catholic Church, with a 200-year history, is in the neighboring town of Bresca. For those interested in cultural recreation, Tuzla offers a variety of exhibitions and festivals. Under the patronage of the famous writer Mesa Selimovic, an annual book festival is held in the city of Tuzla, where the best author who has written a novel in the languages of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Serbia and Montenegro is awarded. Art lovers should visit the Tuzla National Theater and the Portrait Gallery, which hosts ongoing exhibitions of local and international artists. But the biggest attraction for tourists remains Pannonian Lake, located in the city center. This is the only reminder of the existence of the Pannonian Sea, which dried up about 10 million years ago. Since 2003, the unique salt composition has been under the constant control of global environmental organizations. To attract tourists, an archaeological park of the Neolithic era was opened in 2008, where you can admire a second lake with artificial waterfalls. And for active entertainment, a third lake and a large water park were built in 2012.
How to get there?Near the city there is
City of Tuzla located in the northeast. It is the third largest city in the country. The first written mention of the city dates back to 950, when it was under the jurisdiction of Hungary. Tuzla comes from the Turkish word for salt, as large deposits of this mineral are located in the vicinity of the city. In the mid-17th century, Tuzla became part of the Ottoman Empire and the main center for salt production. At the same time, the city began its economic development, becoming a center of various crafts. Today the city is home to more than 174 thousand residents. Tuzla has long been popular among tourists, because it is here that the only salt lake in Europe is located.
Sights of the city of Tuzla
Despite all its antiquity, the city cannot offer guests and tourists a wide variety of attractions. Among the main monuments, it is worth highlighting the Slana Banja Memorial Complex, the monuments to Mesha Selimovic and Ismet Muezinovic, as well as the mosque. In addition, be sure to visit the central square of the city - Kapiyskaya. Hundreds of thousands of tourists come to Tuzla all year round, seeking to spend their holidays on the Black Sea coast. The city is also known for its balneological properties; mineral and mud springs are located on its territory. Many modern health and spa centers have been built here.
Cuisine and restaurants
The gastronomic traditions of Tuzla, like all of Bosnia and Herzegovina, were influenced by South Slavic, German, Mediterranean and Turkish cuisines. In local restaurants you can taste a variety of vegetable and meat dishes. In addition, dairy products are widely used in cooking. Among seafood, fish is especially popular; it is fried, put in pies, and also in salads.
Shopping
Tuzla will not let fans of good shopping get bored either. Here you can buy quality sheep's wool items and wine. In addition, Tuzla has its own brewery, which was founded back in 1884. However, the plant produces only one type of beer, Tuzlanski pilsner. Also, as a pleasant treat, many tourists bring various sweets, such as baklava, halva and lokum. Among the products, top quality olives are in particular demand. Souvenir products are represented by handmade wood products.