Tuapse

Early history

Tuapse was a large center (native land) for the Shapsugs tribe, along other areas in Circassia. The name of the town is itself Adyghe (literally meaning "two waters").

The modern settlement dates back to 1838, when the Russian fort of Velyaminovsky was established in the area after this region became a part of Russia in 1829 by the Treaty of Adrianople. During the Crimean War, the Ottomans seized the fort and held it for two years (1857–1859). The village of Velyaminovskoye (Вельяминовское) was established here in 1864; it is the village that later became Tuapse. Town status was granted to Tuapse in 1896. During the Russian Empire, the town was the administrative capital of the Tuapsinsky Okrug.

20th century

From 1924 to 1930, Tuapse was the capital of the Shapsug national district. According to the 1926 census, the population was 54.6% Russian, 17.0% Ukrainian, 3.8% Armenian, 2.8% Greek, 1.6% Polish, 1.3% Georgian and 1.1% Jewish.

The Soviets developed Tuapse as an oil terminal and depot. An oil pipeline from Grozny and Maykop was in operation by 1928, designed by Vladimir Shukhov. An oil refinery dates from the same period. No later than 1941, Tuapse's status was changed to that of a town of the krai subordination.

During World War II, the German military attempted to seize the town during the Battle of the Caucasus, which caused major damage to Tuapse. The Germans reached the hills above from the north, but were not able to seize the town and its port.

21st century

During the Russo-Ukrainian war, the Ukrainian military first attacked the port of Tuapse in February 2023. In April 2026, Ukrainian drone attacks targeted oil facilities at Tuapse, resulting in an industrial and environmental disaster in the region.

Within the framework of administrative divisions, Tuapse serves as the administrative center of Tuapsinsky District, even though it is not a part of it. As an administrative division, it is incorporated separately as the Town of Tuapse—an administrative unit with the status equal to that of a district. As a municipal division, the Town of Tuapse is incorporated within Tuapsinsky Municipal District as Tuapsinskoye Urban Settlement.

The town is situated on the northeast shore of the Black Sea, south of Gelendzhik and north of Sochi. The Russian Children Center Orlyonok (former All-Russian SFSR Young Pioneer camp) is here.

Climate

Tuapse has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification Cfa). Tuapse has warm to hot summers and cool winters with frequent rainfall year-round.

Tuapse is home to the Tuapse oil terminal and the Tuapse Refinery.

Tuapse is one of the key transport hubs of the Black Sea coast of Russia. The city's location determines its key importance to ensure a ground connection with the spa capital of the country – the city of Sochi – and makes it important for the export commodities of the country (oil, fertilizer, coal, etc.).

There is a railway station in Tuapse.

• Natalie Glebova, 2005 Miss Universe winner, born here
• Vladimir Kramnik, Russian chess grandmaster and former World Champion, born here
• Eduard Lusikyan, Russian former professional football player of Armenian descent
• Alexey Arkhipovsky, Russian balalaika player