a City-raion of Sevastopol’. Until 1957 it was a city of the Crimean Oblast, Ukrainian SSR.
Balaklava is mentioned by Fannius Strabo, Ptolemy, and other ancient authors under the name of Symbalon. From the ninth to the 13th century Symbalon, like other cities of the Black Sea coast, traded with Russia. In 1357 it was conquered by the Genoese, and in 1475 by the Turks, who named it Balaklava, meaning fish nest. In 1783, Balaklava became part of Russia along with the entire Crimea. During the Crimean War of 1853–56, a battle was fought near Balaklava. The Soviet power was established in Balaklava in January 1918. During the Civil War and the military intervention of 1918–20, Balaklava was occupied by the White Guards and liberated by the Red Army in November 1920. During the Great Patriotic War, the workers of Balaklava took part in the partisan movement against the German fascist invaders, who had temporarily occupied the Crimea. Balaklava is located on the shores of a narrow and deep bay. Walls and towers of the 15th century Genoese fortress have been preserved.