Monument to the Sunken Ships

The Monument to the Sunken Ships is Sevastopol's most iconic landmark — a stone column rising from the sea just off the waterfront promenade, topped by a double-headed eagle. Built in 1905 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the first Siege of Sevastopol (1854–55), it marks the spot where the Russian navy sank its own fleet to block the harbour entrance against the British and French.

The monument is visible from the entire northern waterfront and from the water. It is best appreciated from Nakhimov Square or from the sea wall, and forms the backdrop for countless photographs of the harbour. The setting — with the wide expanse of Sevastopol Bay behind it and the city rising on both sides — gives it considerable drama. Boat trips around the bay offer a closer view.

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During the first Siege of Sevastopol in 1854–55, the Russians deliberately sank their own warships across the harbour mouth to block the entry of the British and French fleet. The column marks the spot where this was done — a symbol of sacrifice that became central to Sevastopol's identity as a "hero city."