The Sierra citizen., 1854-04-08
Sebastopol and City Of Caverns.

present time the chief naval depot of the
Russian fleets in the Black sea, is situated
on the southwestern coast OF the peninsula
of Crimea. 1t is one Of the finest harbors
in the world. A narrow bay extends a
considerable distance inland, where it is
intersected by sort of inner harbor, which
opens nearly at right angles to the north
ward, and extends some five miles into the
country. The depth Of water, excepting
near the head of the inner harbor, is about
six or eight fathoms. In the cove where
the town is built there is depth of five
fathoms close in shore The bottom con-
sists of clay and mud and is free from rocks
OF shoals. At the mouth of the port, as
we'll as on its two sides, and on the south
ern angle of its inner harbor, there are
strong, commanding fortrcsses, on which
are mounted many heavy cannon, com
pletely commanding the entrance of the
harbor. Merchantmen are not allowed to
enter the port of Sebastopol, and it has
become exclusively naval station. In
its inner harbor may at all times be seen
lying at anchor. a goodly feet of large ships
of war The town Of Sebastopol is situa-
ted near the site of the ancient city of
Cherson, u party Of whose ruins still rear
their stately forms in proud defiance Of
time and his invisible agents. Scbastopol
is we'll built, with wide and regular streets
ntersecting each other at right angles
The houses are mostly constructed in the
modern Italian style. The principal edi-
fees are the admiralty, arsenal, hospital
and barracks.
The town of Inkerman (City of Cav
crns) is one of the chief curiosities in the
vicinity of Sebastopol. 1t is situated
about a mile from the head of the bay,
near the banks OF the small creek
which flows into the habror. 1t consists
of great number of apartments con-
nected by passages and stairs, all hewn
out within a ledge of calcareous rock,
which extends partially across the valley.
Among these rooms are handsomely arch
ed Gothic chapels, with inches in various
places, besides great numbers of sleeping
rooms and cells-all excavated within the
solid rock. The highest part OF the rock
has been cut away so as 10 uvernang
its base, and thus render any ascent to it
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and at preset somewhat ruinous stairway
within. On the summit are the ruins of
the old Castle of Inkcrman; and one mas
sive round tower, about forty feet high, is
still very imposing. A magnificent view
may be obtained from the top of the rock.
The origin of the Inkerman caverns is not
known, although they are generally sup
posed to have been constructed in the
early ages Of Christianity by a colony Of
Arians, who, fleeing from persecution,
entrenched themselves here, and for long
time resided in this lonely vale. secure in
their rocky fortress. and happy in their
new religion. 1t is said that they first
applied for permission e construct dwell
lings inf the Government of Chersonesa;
but they were told that there was no home
for them in that -vicinity-that they might
only dwell among the rocks of Inkerman.
The Arians took them at their word, and
soon excavated the cliffs into durable
dwellings, chapels, halls and corridors,
causing at once forbidding facades to APP
pear, when Illuminated at night, like the
front of a stupendous palace.--Ercsange.