Culture of Balaclava. Places to visit - old town, temples, theaters, museums and palaces

Various temples and ruins of ancient religious buildings remain the major landmarks of Balaclava. The town never ceases to attract fans of outdoor activities and eco-tourism who come to admire magnificent waterfalls, lakes, and explore dense tropics. The oldest and the most famous temple of the region is located in Grand Bassin. It’s a grandiose and magnificent building constructed in full accordance with Hindu traditions. Inside the temple looks no less amazing – skillful hand paintings and numerous unique artifacts worth a museum make this temple a must-visit place. The surrounding territory is no less interesting – a chain of crystal clear lakes surrounds the temple. According to local people, those lakes are sacred. Everyone is welcome to fill small bottles with some water from the lakes – the water is believed to have healing properties.

The Pamplemousses Botanical Garden is one of the most famous natural landmarks in Balaclava. It’s a fantastic place where visitors can see hundreds of various plants and flowers brought from different parts of the world. The territory of the garden is conventionally divided into several thematic areas that make the exploration of the garden even more interesting. There are charming pergolas close to beautiful summerhouses and eye-catching flower beds. Visitors are welcome to relax there, admiring the idyllic view.

Chamarel waterfalls are a no less interesting excursion object. A tour to the waterfalls includes the exploration of the gorgeous mountain region. During an excursion, visitors will learn much interesting about the diversity of local flora and fauna. Continue your acquaintance with the region’s fauna in the fabulous Bird and Crocodile Park. All animals live in spacious and comfortable cages that are similar to the natural habitat of different species. These are just some of the landmarks that all guests of Mauritius will enjoy exploring. Having explored all main places of interest in Balaclava, tourists might want to head to the nearby regions. These areas still have many old buildings, national settlements, and unique natural places of interest that wait to be explored. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

All tourists who enjoy a vacation in Balaclava simply cannot fail to visit Turtle Bay. This magnificent piece of nature also has rich cultural heritage. These days, it’s a popular stop for ships that make cruises from Europe to the East. Turtle Bay has long history. On old Dutch maps, it was known under the name “Ebony Bay” because of lush ebony forests. As ebony is ideal wood for repairing ships, many made stops there. English ships also made regular stops in Balaclava to replenish food and water. Turtle Bay is famous for one more landmark that is very interesting to explore – Balaclava Ruins.

Balaclava Ruins or Balaclava Fort dates back to the 18th century. When the French proclaimed Port Louis the new capital, they needed many materials to build it. Balaclava region was rich in iron, so the area supplied the French with materials to make weapons and gunpowder. A gunpowder factory, a naval arsenal, and an iron foundry formed the fort. Ruins of this fort were later restored and now are located on a private land that belongs to a Mauritian family and German chain of hotels. Owners do their best to preserve the historic landmark and gladly accept all visitors. The entrance is free, but it is better to find out in advance whether Balaclava Ruins are open because sometimes the area is closed for film or fashion shoots.

As the distance from Balaclava to Port Louis is less than 13 kilometers, many tourists prefer to visit the capital and explore its iconic landmarks. Fort Adelaide is one of such must-visit places. Also known as a citadel, the hilltop fort offers breathtaking views of the harbor. It’s a great place to feel “old Mauritius”. Tourists are also recommended to visit the Place d’Armes and the Government House built in the 18th century. The main religious landmarks of Port Louis are St. James Cathedral, St. Louis Cathedral, and the Marie Reine de la Paix Chapel and Shrine.

There are countless beaches within the territory of the resort, which have become some sort of landmark. The most recognizable attraction is Balaclava. Not only can you sunbathe here and swim in the crystal clear water, but you also get an opportunity to walk along the beach, enjoying the beautiful views of the sea and the city, which looks like a lighthouse from a distance. It is interesting to make an equestrian tour of the beach; you cannot imagine a more romantic entertainment in Balaclava. Some places perfectly suited for this purpose are Balaclava Public Beach, Ville Valio Beach and Le Goulet Beach.

Among the museums, it is worth noting the realest museum of history of Mauritius. We are talking about the L'Aventure du Sucre, whose main theme as the name implies, is devoted to sugar and its production. The sugar factory is all for Mauritius. Everything here is associated with the production of sugar, and therefore a lot of attention is paid to the lives of locals. Thanks to this museum, you can get closer acquainted with the local culture, as well as the lifestyle of the indigenous population. The exhibits on display here include the machinery that produce sugar, the laboratory, and, of course, the end product itself. The interesting thing to note here is that everything is presented through interactive exhibits, cartoons, and riddles. The museum is really liked by little kids.

Religious temples stand out from cultural landmarks. First of all, there are Hindu shrines – Shivala Hall, Bois Rouge Temple, and Maheswarnath Mandir. It is very comfortable in these places and there is a special flavor that cannot be found in India – Balaclava has a unique atmosphere which you can feel only here. Since the city also has adherents of the Islamic faith, there are mosques here which are also worth visiting. Among them, it is important to note Rivière Citron Mosque, and Daar Ul Haqq Mosque. There is even a Catholic church here, talking about the Evangelical Church of Bay du Tombeau. The church, although a small one, is famous for the fact that you can feel unprecedented peace and tranquility here.

The business district in Balaclava is fascinating. It is called Beau Plan Business Park. A lot of modern houses located adjacent to chic pools and shops make this area standout. The city is also full of cultural monuments that are without doubt worth visiting. For example, the monument Kali Mata Mandir dedicated to the goddess Kali, as you can guess by the title. There is an amazing story connected with the historical monument of Cheminée Bon Air, and you should certainly ask any of the locals to tell you about it. Anjalay Stadium Arena is also worth visiting. Interesting matches are often played here. Aside from this, you can also get acquainted with the work of the mill, it is called Terra Mauricia.