Visit to Inkerman

George Page
Micha Jelisavcic
John Sloan

This page provides a brief description of several recent visits to Inkerman and serves as an index to photographs of the region. For a discussion of the battle in the Crimean War please go to Battle. There is an illustration of the battle in William Simpson's book of paintings at Simpson. To visit the excellent Panorama Museum please go to museum. Many photos and maps of Sevastopol are here. Please also visit our illustrated descriptions of the battles at the Alma River and at Balaklava. Please go here for a full listing of articles about Crimea.

Description:

The small vilage, Inkerman, lies at the mouth of the Tchernaya River where it enters the upper reaches of Sevastopol harbor. It is now a heavily industrial region taking advantage of the railroad yards where the rail line from Simpheropol crosses the river before it winds its way through tunnels into Sevastopol. There is a large winery featuring excellent Crimean Wines. Wine tasting sessions there are thoroughly enjoyable following an interesting tour of the underground storage areas. The height above Inkerman on the north side of the valley still contains the ruin of the Kalimata fortress, built in the middle ages as an outpost of the Feodorite principality whose capital was on Mangup. (see related web pages) Under this fortress and in numerous caves in the sheer clifts there was a monastery throughout the early middle ages. As is the case of so many religious institutions, this is now being restored.
The battle during the Crimean war actually took place on the crest and upper slopes of the high plateau lying south of the Tchernaya River valley just outside the modern suburbs of Sevastopol. Much of the area held by the British ( it was the extreme right of their siege lines) is now covered by a naval radio station antenna farm and is off limits to visitors. One is able, however, to walk all over "Shell Hill" and the ridges and saddles between this area in which the Russian artillery was deployed and the main British lines. By the way, the name 'Shell Hill' derives not from any reference to artillery but rather to the fact the ground is literally covered with tiny white sea shells. One is able to approach within a hundred yards or less of the 'sand bag battery' location by walking from the new road along the cliff line. This new road was built on the Sevastopol side of the deep ravine that cuts into the ridge from the river valley. At the time of the Crimean war the road followed the ravine bottom up to its head, making for a very steep route. Now both sides of the ravine are full of entrances to deep caves dug into the plateau for military purposes and the entire old road is within a military closed installation.
While Sevastopol is expanding rapidly into modern and fashionable suburbs to the south and south-east including onto Cathcart and Victoria hills, it does not approach the part of the plateau on which the battle of Inkerman was fought. Thus a fairly good feel of the battle is possible. However the area is now heavily forested and thick with underbrush preventing one from getting a clear picture of the fields of fire in 1854.
One can view the battlefield from the valley below or from the opposite height at the Kalimata fortress. It is easy to see how Cathcart was trapped when his troops went too far down the steep slope.

Illustrations:

	Photo number	Description
		This map from Beskrovni's atlas shows the opening of the battle. The Russians from the city have advanced along the ridge while other units climbed the steep cliff side from the Tchernia river valley. In the fog the English were surprised and also could not at first realize how powerful the Russian forces were.
		In this more detailed map from Beskrovni's atlas we see how the Russian and English units became intermingled. And here the French are advancing in support. The Russian battery of heavy guns is on the east side of Shell Hill.
		Map depicting the terrain - it shows the road from the plateau down to the river - the same road we drove down while taking photos. Shell hill is shown as a white spot with lines radiating from it. The closeness of the Russian defense line is seen by the Malakov bastion hill at the left side.
		View from the road leading down from the plateau toward the Cherniya river and Inkerman village - looking across a ravine into a military ammunnition and other storage facility in caves
		View from Shell Hill toward British positions
		View across valley to Kalimata ruin
		View from Shell Hill toward British area
		View over ridge into valley from close to Sand Bag area
		Looking toward rear of British lines from close in
		View from the battlefield plateau down to the Tchenerya river valley and Inkerman town
		Toward Sevastopol from in front of British lines
		Toward Shell hill from British lines
		View to rear from front of British lines
		Telephoto view from Shell hill toward British lines
		Pavel showing John view from near British lines into Tcherniya valley
		View into valley near Sand Bag location
		View to Shell hill from British lines
		View from new road into valley showing part of ridge
		View up from river valley
		View up from valley
		View of caves in cliffs from valley
		View of ridge from across valley at Kalimata
		View from across valley

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