Ruins of Chersonese, Crimea

Chersonese ( Херсонес, Khersones) also transliterated as Chersonesus, is an ancient Greek colony founded approximately 2,500 years ago in the southwestern part of the Crimean Peninsula, known then as Taurica. The colony was established in the 6th century BC by settlers from Heraclea Pontica.

The ancient city is located on the shore of the Black Sea at the outskirts of Sevastopol on the Crimean Peninsula. The name "Chersonese" in Greek means "peninsula", and aptly describes the site on which the colony was established.

1995 banknote

This postcard shows the ruins of the ‘1935 Basilica’.  This ruined structure is the most famous basilica excavated in Chersonese. The original name is unknown so "1935" refers to the year it was opened. The basilica was probably built in the 6th century on the site of an earlier temple, assumed by historians to be a synagogue, itself replacing a small temple dating from the early days of Christianity.  The ‘1935 Basilica’ is often used as an image representing Chersonese.  A picture of it appears on the 1 Hryvnia Ukrainian banknote of 1992 as well as the 1 Hryvnia  Ukrainian banknote of 1995. 

This wonderful postcard was sent by Natalie (free-weasel) Postcrossing Direct Swap (19 March 2014). She has used great stamps on the card.  An added bonus for me is that this postcard shows a winter / snow scene as well.