Categories: General
      Date: Jun 26, 2009
     Title: Culture and Traditions
Sevastopol navy port of Ukraine on the Black Sea
Old tradition of verifying time by cannon shooting has  been renewed in Sevastopol




In the south bay of the famous Primorskiy Boulevard in Sevastopol , thousands of people gathered to watch cannon firing, which renewed the old tradition of midday announcing of exact time.

Sevastopol was the first city in the Russian Empire where the tradition of midday firing was started 190 years ago. Through centuries, Sevastopol has developed a glorious name as the Russian navy base and as a strategic site on the Russian's Black Sea coastal line. IN 2009, the city celebrated 226-th anniversary of its foundation.

In March of 1819, the Black Sea fleet commander Aleksey Greyg made an order to fire a cannon at noon every day, so that all the citizens could verify the time.
Over the time, the midday cannon shooting also became traditional in Saint Petersburg (since 1863), in Kronstadt (since 1870) and in Vladivostok (since 1989).

With the establishment of the Soviet Power in Sevastopol, the tradition was suspended for years. Today, the tradition is revived, to satisfaction of the citizens and tourists. The head of the state administration of Sevastopol has reported that a stock of blank cartridge is enough for keeping daily tradition during three years. 

Sevastopol photo gallery