Sberbank and Mriya resort presented the concept of the Solnechny cultural cluster in Alupka

Within the framework of the XII St. Petersburg International Forum of United Cultures, Sberbank and the Mriya resort presented the concept of the Solnechny cultural cluster — a new stage in the integrated development of Alupka, one of the key historical and cultural centers of the Republic of Crimea. The project is planned to be implemented on the territory of the former Solnechny sanatorium and to continue the city renovation program, which combines the preservation of cultural heritage, the development of public spaces and the creation of new points of attraction.

The cluster will be located on an area of about 1.5 hectares near the Vorontsov Park. There are six cottages of the turn of the XIX-XX centuries — objects of cultural heritage with a total area of about 2.5 thousand square meters. They are planned to be restored and adapted to new functions: creative residences, workshops, exhibition and public spaces. The concept involves working not only with artists, but also with architects, designers and representatives of modern creative industries.

The cluster also includes an exhibition pavilion with an area of about 900 square meters, an open event venue with an amphitheater for up to 700 seats, a production workshop and an open-air garden museum. More than 65% of the territory is planned to be kept green. The key principle of the project is "production as part of the exposition": guests will be able to see not only the finished works, but also the process of their creation.

Now the project is at the stage of developing an architectural concept for the improvement of the territory, the adaptation of historical cottages and new buildings, as well as the formation of a future cultural program. The project team is open to cooperation with museums, foundations, art universities, curators and other specialized institutions.

"It is important for us that the development of Alupka is not limited to the improvement of individual territories. We consistently form a holistic urban environment, where the historical heritage receives a new life, and culture becomes one of the tools for the development of the city. The Solnechny cluster is the next stage of this work: a space that will unite the history of the place, contemporary art and new creative formats," said Andrey Semikin, Director of the Department for the Development of Tourist Destinations of the Mriya Resort.

Since 2024, Sber and Mriya have been continuing the comprehensive development of Alupka, launched by the Alupka project. During this time, two new pedestrian routes were formed — the Eastern and Vorontsovsky promenades with a total length of 1.35 km, which connected the urban environment with the Vorontsov Palace and Park Ensemble. A Japanese curtain painting by Shiro Nakane appeared in Vorontsov Park, Aladyina's historic dacha was restored, and an old Alupka necropolis was opened for visitors.

The city also renovated the Children's Beach and the Vorontsov Baths with a total capacity of up to 500 people, revived the historic pier "Port Georges", created a square "Solnechny" near the Church of Archangel Michael, where more than 45 thousand plants were planted. In the summer of 2026, together with the St. Petersburg Academy of Arts named after Ilya Repin, a symposium on sculpture was held in Alupka for the first time. The works created within the framework of the project will become part of a new urban cultural route.

The development of the urban environment is already reflected in tourist activity: after the implementation of the "Old City" route, the flow of organized tourists increased by about 60%, and the load of catering facilities in the historical center — by 35%. The next stage of the program will be the creation of the "Solnechny" cultural cluster.