June 18, 2026

Historic Panorama Lost to Fire


Historic Panorama Lost to Fire
The building housing the panorama on fire. Telegram, @KrymRealii

On June 10, a fire broke out in the building housing the "Siege of Sevastopol" panorama in occupied Crimea.

The incident occurred during a drone alert, but it is unclear whether the fire was caused by Russian drones. Regardless, reports say that the painting was "virtually destroyed."

"The Siege of Sevastopol" depicted Russian forces' dogged defense against British and French forces during the Crimean War. It was painted in the early twentieth century and unveiled in 1905, the 50th anniversary of the siege. The painting was damaged during the Second World War but restored in the 1950s.

As a panorama, the work was an immersive 360-degree experience with set dressing in the foreground, a popular exhibition method in the mid-nineteenth to early twentieth centuries. Americans are likely familiar with the Gettysburg Cyclorama and Atlanta Cyclorama, depicting Civil War scenes (and using the American term for panoramas). Similarly, "The Siege of Sevastopol" depicted a battle and memorialized a national victory.

Only 15 panoramas/cycloramas remain in the world, with the destruction of "The Siege of Sevastopol." While not a must-see Crimean stop, it was definitely on our "Man, it would be cool to check that out at some point" list.

Reportedly, a few fragments remain, original studies are in storage, and digital copies exist online. Whether it will be recreated remains to be seen.

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