Alushta or Aluşta is a city of regional significance on the southern coast of the Crimean peninsula which is within the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, a region internationally recognised as territory of Ukraine, but occupied by the Russian Federation and incorporated as the Republic of Crimea. It is located along the Black Sea coast on the road from Gurzuf to Sudak, as well as on the Crimean Trolleybus line. According to the 2014 Census, Alushta had a population of 29,078.
The area is notable for its arid, rocky terrain due to its proximity to the Crimean mountains. During Byzantine times, the town was called Alouston (Ἄλουστον) meaning "Unwashed". Vestiges survive of a Byzantine defensive tower from a fortress from which the town's name was derived, as well as a 15th-century Genoese fortress. During Genoese rule, the name was modified to Lusta. Adam Mickiewicz dedicated two of his Crimean Sonnets to Alushta.
History
In 1910, 544 Jews lived in Alushta, comprising 13% of the town's population. By 1939, they made up only 2.3% of the town's overall population, numbering 251 individuals. On 4 November 1941, the Germans occupied the town. On 24 November 1941, a unit of SS-Sonderkommando 10b murdered 30 Jews by shooting along with captured communists and partisans. In early December 1941, about 250 Jews from Alushta were shot to death by SS-Sonderkommando 11b in the park of Trade Union Sanatorium No. 7, which is today part of the local center for children and creativity.
Geography
Climate
Alushta has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification: Cfa) that closely borders on a hot-summer Mediterranean climate (Köppen climate classification: Csa).
Demographics
Ethnic composition according to the Ukrainian national census in 2001:
International relations
Twin towns — Sister cities
Alushta is twinned with:
- Santa Cruz, United States
- Dzierżoniów, Poland
- Äänekoski, Central Finland
- Jūrmala, Latvia
Notable people
- Mykhailo Kotsiubynsky (1864–1913), Ukrainian author
- Sabri Ülker (1920–2012), Turkish businessman and founder of Ülker
- Rustem Umerov (born 1982), Ukrainian politician and former Minister of Defense
- Oleksandr Vysotskyi (born 1986), Ukrainian football player
- Oleksandr Nedovyesov (born 1987), Ukrainian-Kazakhstani tennis player
Gallery
<gallery>
File:AlushtaFortress.jpeg|15th century Genoese tower in Alushta
File:Палац Алушта.JPG|Villa "Otrada" (Stakheev's dacha)
File:Центр Алушта.JPG|Downtown Alushta
File:ПаркАлушта.JPG|Park Alushti
File:Алушта Парк1.JPG|Park Alushti
File:Алушта12.JPG|Alushta Beach
File:Алушта. Сезон-2014.JPG|In Alushta. Season-2014
File:Старинное здание винподвала.JPG|Alushta winery
File:Alushta Feodora Stratilata church IMG 2874 01-103-0013.JPG|St. Theodore Church
File:Aluštan keskustori.jpg|Main square
File:Карло Боссоли. Алушта.jpg|Panorama of Alushta in the 1850s, by Carlo Bossoli
File:Кастель. Алушта (30).JPG|Quay
File:AlushtaFortress.jpeg|Remains of Aluston fortress
File:Алушта2014.JPG|Alushta Beach. July 2014
File:Алушта-набережна-2014.JPG|Quay. 2014
File:Алушта121.JPG|On the way. 2015
File:Кінотеатр Шторм Алушта.JPG|Cinema "Storm"
File:Братська могила радянських воїнів та кримських партизан та пам'ятний знак на честь односельців..jpg|Memorial sign in honor of the Crimean partisans in Alushta
File:Aluštan kaupunginvaltuuston rakennus 2.jpg|Alushta City Council building
File:Арка.jpg|one of the symbols of Alushta
File:Крепость Алустон (IV-VI вв). Алушта. Крым. Июнь 2009 - panoramio.jpg|alt=|Aluston fortress (IV-VI centuries). In exchange. Crimea. June
File:Monument to Liberators of Alushta.jpg|alt=|Soviet war monument in Alushta
File:Alushta,synagogue.jpg|alt=|Kenesa in Alushta
File:Kenesa in Alushta.jpg|alt=|Kenesa in Alushta
</gallery>
thumb|center|800px|Panorama of the city