Swallow Nest, Livadia Palace, Massandra Palace, and Glory Hill are the architectural landmarks, the names of which always remind you the words 'Yalta' and 'Ukraine'. And this is natural, since these prominent landmarks are the ones that shape the historical and architectural look of Yalta. Let’s look at these landmarks from high above, namely, from a bird’s eye view – click the video and make a flight over the architectural ensemble of Yalta. In the main article, you can also read the most interesting facts about every famous landmark of Yalta.
Swallow Nest, Yalta
Location on the map: 
Facts:
» There is a palace on the steep 40-meter cliff. Originally, it was a single-storey building. It was located at the edge of the rock. 
Facts:» The first owner was the General in 1878. Late, the stone building was built when the landlord changed.
» You can see it on the cards of the early 20 century.
» The 12-meter building withstood the earthquake in 1927. It was refurbished completely only in the late 60s. The foundation of the Swallow Nest hanging above the water was improved. It would collapse into the sea otherwise. Now, the building is earthquake-proof due to banding constructions. The interior has changed little too.
» The part of the building goes off the edge of the steep cliff. It really resembles a nest woven by birds and attached to the edge.
» There is an observation platform in front of the castle. When you go down 1 200 steps, you can reach the local attraction with towers, high spires, and elongated narrow windows.
» Several feature films were shot in the midst of the unusual building.
» Artist Aivazovsky loved painting this whimsical house.
» In September 2011, the final of the international diving competition was held here.
Livadia Palace, Yalta
Location on the map: Facts:
» The royal family often visited the summer residence at the Crimean coast. Facts:» On the second floor, there is a permanent exhibition in the room where the nobles stayed. The interior of the rooms has been restored according to preserved pictures.
» Five rooms are open for visitors. The spacious but not luxurious room with a lot of light belonged to Nicholas II. He did not love pretentiousness. The room of the hostess was served as a living room where relatives got together. There is preserved original finish, pieces of furniture, flowerpots, picturesque canvasses, and the piano. The Empress played it.
» The luxurious spouses’ bedroom impresses with its luxurious interior. The furniture here is maple. The bed is covered with an ornate silk canopy.
» There is a small dining room finished with yew. In the princesses’ classroom, there is a blackboard with inscriptions made by one of the girls.
» The other exhibition is dedicated to the Yalta Conference. The Livadia Palace met the level of the international meeting. Pictures of world leaders taken on the background of the magnificent landscape appeared in all the media of that period.
» In 1834, the Polish Count constructed the first building. The Livadia attraction is over 100 years old.
Massandra Palace, Yalta
Location on the map: Facts:
» In 1880, the two-storey palace started to be built for the son of statesman M. Vorontsov. Facts:» Later, the building came to Alexander III. Then, the third level was completed. The exterior was more luxurious. The Massandra building served as a hunting lodge more than a place of permanent residence.
» When the monarch’s power was overthrown, the palace was nationalized and used as a hospital for TB patients. Then, there was a winery served as a summer cottage for party officials. The palace turned into a museum about 30 years ago.
» The interior of the house dates back to the 19th century. When viewing two levels, visitors can see offices, audience halls, and private rooms of former landlords. The furniture was carefully selected. It serves all its intended purposes.
» Each room is designed in its own style. There are a lot of famous Russian artists’ paintings. You can also see portraits of the imperial family. Porcelain items (vases, tools, and other dishes) were created over 200 years ago.
» At the third level, there is an art exhibition with paintings and sculptures of masters of the 40s-50s of the 20th century.
Glory Hill, Yalta
Facts: » The memorial complex is surrounded by a massive reinforced concrete structure with a white finish covered with Inkerman stone. It’s meant to perpetuate the heroism of those killed in the battles of the south coast during the civil and patriotic wars.
» The authors of the memorial built it in the form of a ring. It seems that the changing faces reflect different historical milestones of the country.
» The heroism of partisans and red guards is described in the inscriptions on external limestone-clad walls. There are bas-relief outlines of sailors and soldiers on them.
» The centerpiece of the site is the Eternal Flame. It was lit from the flames of fire on Malakhov Barrow in Sevastopol.
» A hill was specially leveled for the prominent place. You can climb to it using cable railway or an asphalted 2.5-kilometre road. Then you need to go up the stairs to the top of the hill.
» A granite stela is installed at the bottom of the stairway. The funeral sign has the names of battle participants.
» The foundation of the monument is a steel reinforced frame filled with concrete.
» On Victory Day (9 May), a rally and a solemn wreath-laying ceremony are traditionally organized here.
Roman Catholic Church, Yalta
Facts: » There is the Roman Catholic Church near the city embankment. It was built in 1906.
» The church was constructed at the expense of 500 parishioners of the commune. Before, the construction was ceased due to the authorities’ disagreement. The paperwork had been prepared for 10 years. The project of the building was offered by architect N. Krasnov. The exterior and interior are characterized by strictness.
» The temple was opened in 1928. Then, other companies rented it and it served as a gymnasium, a showroom, and a museum.
» In the late 20th century, the organ was placed in the hall. The musical instrument was presented by the company from Czechoslovakia. It has 2 200 pipes and 34 registers.
» Today, the church can accommodate up to 200 worshipers.
» The building resembles an elongated cross from the outside. It was built of light gray cutstone blocks. There are no chapels and spires. Stone columns are covered with artificial marble. The floor is made of the same stone but is also polished. The windows are stained glass. There are six rooms in the building.
» There is a molded rose above the front door. You can see the inscription saying that the church is dedicated to God and the Virgin Mary.
Villa Elena, Yalta
Facts: » In 1907, the five-storey hotel was purchased by the merchant from Saratov. He was not satisfied with its exterior but he decided to rebuild the house completely. It was completed in 1912.
» Villa Elena stands out of similar hotels with its height (it was the highest construction in Yalta at that time), a lift, amenities, and the central heating. Each room had water pipelines. The wife of the landlord welcomed many eminent people here.
» You can find the details about Villa Elena located near the shore in the Guidebook of 1913.
» The spacious observation platform has a view of the sea and the mountain range. Southern balconies have a marvelous panoramic view of the landscape garden.
» The Soviet government nationalized the building. The room served as a sanatorium and a hospital of the resort.
» Today, it is officially called Villa Elena Hotel & Residences. It is a five-star hotel.
» This place is also famous for the fact that it is visited by famous domestic and foreign people. It also opens its doors for delegations from different countries.
» There are 32 well-equipped rooms, an audience hall, a restaurant, and a spa.
Vorontsov Palace, Yalta
Facts: » There is a palace at the foot of the mount. It is surrounded by a parking area.
» The staircase leading to the front entrance has a view of the Black Sea. It is surrounded by statues of lions at the sides. They were made by an Italian sculptor.
» The owner of the construction was the legendary Prince, Mikhail Vorontsov who contributed much to the Russian government. When he died, the building came to the General’s relatives.
» The building was built by serfs in1828-1848. Stonecutters manually processed dunstone produced from the nearby rock. It is harder than granite. To level the terrace off, a stone ledge was blown up.
» The complex consists of five separate buildings: Canteen, Central and Guest Buildings, billiard room, rooms for servants and household purposes.
» The palace looks like an impregnable fortress. The botanical garden adds a picturesque view to it.
» Designers were invited to work on its landscape. Mostly coniferous trees grow here. So, the parking area is evergreen in any season. In summer, you can see exotic plants here. Cercis with bright purple florets are especially attractive.
» In the Winter Garden, you can even see ficus that has been growing here since 1838.
