All about Karadag (Crimea)

Karadag is a huge volcano, part of which as a result of a natural cataclysm sank under the water, and some remained above water and became a mountain. Karadag is a unique place, as it is the only extinct volcano in Europe, which has retained traces of eruptions thousands of years old. It consists of coastal cliffs that stretch along the coast, as well as the Holy Mountain in the shape of a dome. On Karadag there are coastal rocks of bizarre forms, such as the Devil's Finger, Ivan the Robber and the Golden Gate.

Karadag Mountain or Kara-Dag in Tatar translation - “Black Mountain” is located not far from Feodosia and is part of the eponymous volcanic massif. Karadag is a remnant of a volcano that was active in the middle of the Jurassic period, about 160,000,000 years ago. The volcanic origin of the mountain was discovered by the Crimean explorer and scientist Prozorovsky-Galitsyn in 1881, and later in 1985 the first geological and geographical map of the area was compiled. Subsequently, a biological station was located at Karadag.

On the basis of this station, at the end of the 70s of the last century, the Karadag Reserve was created, the total area of ​​which is 2,875 hectares. It includes a mountain range and the waters of the sea adjacent to Karadag. The reserve's territory is divided into 3 belts: a steppe belt - up to 260 m above sea level, from 260 to 450 m - a forest of fluffy oak, hornbeam forests grow above 450 m.

The flora of this area has more than 2,400 species, 79 of which are listed in the Red Book of Ukraine. Among the many plants preserved species post-glacial period. The fauna of Karadag is no less diverse and contains 5250 species, 13 of which are in the Red Book. The brightest representative of the animal world is the dolphinThese mammals, without fear, show up to tourists and accompany sightseeing yachts.

This rock in the form of an arch is located near the city of Koktebel and is its hallmark. In the past, the rock was one with the mountain range, but under the influence of natural factors the piece broke off and moved into the sea. The rock hermit, as many call it, and is now moving and moving further and further into the sea. The height of this wonder of nature from the bottom to the peak is 15 meters, and the surface part reaches 8 meters. The depth on some adjacent areas reaches 43 meters, the water is crystal clear, and visibility there remains up to 25 meters.

In the past, it was called Shaitan Kapu, which in translation from the Crimean Tatar means “devil's gate”. It has an arched shape and is the most famous rock of an extinct volcano. The old name was given for a reason, because according to legend, it is believed that it was through this gate that Odysseus and Hercules descended into the realm of Hades. Golden Gate got its current name because of the yellow lichen that grows here.

There are not only legends, but also signs about this place. One of them says that if you swim through the arch, then the most cherished wish will be fulfilled. Tourists always throw a coin into the sea here, so the bottom around the rock is littered with them. In the warm season, sailing on an excursion to the rock, you can swim. Also, the Golden Gate is of interest to researchers of paranormal phenomena, they believe that this is the entrance to another dimension.

From time immemorial, the legend of the monster living in the depths of the sea goes on the peninsula of Crimea. It is believed that this is a prehistoric snake that eats dolphins and divers into the sea. Even Herodotus described a certain creature that lives in the waters of the Black Sea, and in the XVI century in medieval documents appeared evidence of a monster similar to the Kraken. The artist and poet M. Voloshin wrote that he personally observed how a company of Red Army men, on the orders of Peter I, caught the Karadag serpent off the local shores. Fishermen talk about dolphins, ate half in half, and strange bites on their bodies.

Some even claimed to have seen the snake in person when he was swimming under the ship. There are other legends:

• Karadag ringing;
• Kemal Babai;
• Chershamba.

The most famous painter who depicted Karadag is IK Aivazovsky. In Otuzsky land he had his own mansion, it was there that he painted the painting “Spring. Sunrise in the coastal valley, 25 miles from Theodosia, overlooking the Kara-Dag ". There is also an image made in graphite pencil "Koktebel, Kara-Dag, Tupryuk-Kai." The picture of the painting teacher V.Russen “The Armenian Church on Mount Karadag not far from Feodosia”, written in 1845, is also of historical significance for the city of Koktebel.

Ekaterina Fyodorovna Junge created a series of landscapes dedicated to Karadag: “Silhouette of Mount Karadag”, “Coastal Volcano Stones”, “Suryu-Kaya Koktebel Bay”, “Toprakh-Kaya”, and this is only a small part of her works. Beautiful views of Karadag were depicted by many more artists. Fascinating views of the volcano could not be ignored by both artists and writers and poets.

Over the sea leaned the rock Ivan the robber, it is located in the southern part of Black Mountain, its height reaches almost 62 meters. Ivan the robber consists of several parts. The main one is formed by lava, and the second peaked one is a huge boulder stuck in one of the craters of the volcano. Rogue got its name due to the bay behind it. According to the legend, the corsairs of the Crimean Sea hid here and from this shelter attacked the passing ships, and hid their belongings in the same bay.

A dead city is nothing but a multitude of fossilized peaks that have stood for centuries like the royal guards on the guard of their king Karadag. Hundreds of meters of the basaltic wall and a multitude of peaks have become an unassailable height for many climbers, since it is impossible to drive hooks into the rocks. Black Mountain has many more beautiful places:

• rock "King and Queen";
• rock "Gingerbread";
• rock "Devil's Finger";
• frog cove and others.

Recently, NASA institute staff conducted a full scan of the earth and found places of energy activity. Places of energy that can affect a person are scattered around the world. The strongest flows are observed in Yellowstone National Park, the Grand Canyon, the Old Town in Prague and Kara-Dag. Researchers believe that the mountain gives a huge amount of energy waves that have attracted people to themselves for centuries.

The mountain-volcanic ridge Karadag is located between the town of Koktebel and the village of Kurortniy. You can get here only as part of the excursion group, as the extinct volcano and the surrounding areas are considered a protected area and are behind a fence and under protection. There are several routes around Karadag: hiking and sea. Holidays here can be varied.

Tourist groups most often begin their way from the village of Kurortnoye from the Biological Station, buses go to the station, which depart from Koktebel or Feodosia. The length of the path is about 7 kilometers in difficult terrain.

A walk will take about 5-6 hours, this is a great opportunity to feel the whole magnetism of the mountain, inhale its scent, touch the centuries-old history. During the tour you can find semiprecious stones such as agate, jasper and chalcedony. These are all gifts of the mountain for people who visit it.

A tour of the sea begins at the marina of Koktebel and runs along the whole coast of Karadag. The length is the same as that of the walking route - 7 km, but in time it takes only 1.5 hours. Tourists will have the opportunity to see all the beauty and majesty of an extinct volcano from the sea, all its rocks and bays, as well as the Koktebel business card - the Golden Gate. Dolphins accompany the boat throughout the excursion.

In good weather, the boat is delayed by the arch for 20 minutes, so that tourists can swim in the crystal clear water off the coast of the volcano. There is an opportunity to go on a mixed excursion to Karadag by boat, and on the way back on foot. Whichever route you choose, an extinct volcano will leave the best memories of yourself, its beauty will forever remain in your memory.

Types of tourist routes Karadag:

• “Bolshoi Kara-Dag” trail - land route;
• Vyazemsky eco-trail;
• Natural History Museum Karadag;
• Dolphinarium.

For information on how to get to Mount Karadag, see the next video.