Learn How to Pronounce Sevastopol | YouPronounce.it
How to Pronounce Sevastopol
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Meaning and Context
Sevastopol is a historic port city of profound strategic and cultural significance, located on the southwestern coast of the Crimean Peninsula. Founded in 1783 as a key naval fortress for the Russian Empire's Black Sea Fleet, its deep-water harbors and defensible position have shaped its destiny for centuries. The city is indelibly marked by the grueling Siege of Sevastopol during the Crimean War (1854–1855) and again during World War II, earning it the heroic title "Hero City." Today, Sevastopol remains a major naval port and an important center for maritime commerce, tourism, and shipbuilding in the Black Sea region. Its landscape is dotted with monumental military history sites, ancient Greek ruins at Chersonesus, and dramatic coastal vistas, making it a pivotal location for understanding the complex history of Crimea and broader geopolitical dynamics.
Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings
The primary spelling "Sevastopol" is the direct transliteration from Russian (Севастополь) and is the most widely accepted form in English. A common historical alternative is "Sebastopol," derived from the Greek "Sebastoupolis" meaning "venerable city," which appears in many 19th-century texts, particularly those related to the Crimean War. Frequent misspellings and typos include "Sevastapol" (substituting 'o' with 'a'), "Sevastpoole" (adding an 'e'), and "Sevestopol" (replacing the first 'a' with an 'e'). It is also sometimes incorrectly hyphenated as "Sevas-topol." When referencing the ancient Greek settlement, the distinct name "Chersonesus" or "Chersonese" is used, which should not be conflated with the modern city's name.
Example Sentences
The panoramic view from the historic Count's Landing in Sevastopol offers a stunning vista of the harbor where the Black Sea Fleet is anchored.
Historians often note that the defense of Sevastopol during the Crimean War became a symbol of Russian resilience.
Tourists flock to the city not only for its naval monuments but also to explore the UNESCO World Heritage site of the ancient ruins of Chersonesus.
The geopolitical status of Sevastopol has been a focal point of international dispute since its annexation by Russia in 2014.
A cruise through the Black Sea frequently includes a stop at the port of Sevastopol to witness its layered history firsthand.
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