All about Mount Falcon in Crimea

The Crimean peninsula is one of the most beautiful places in Russia with a huge number of attractions. One of the many natural monuments of culture is Mount Falcon, which offers a fascinating view of the expanses of the Crimea and the coast. The rock itself looks so impressive that it annually gathers thousands of tourists who come to the peninsula to appreciate such a wonderful formation.

In the article we will talk about the uniqueness of Mount Falcon and its natural features, consider the various options for the route through it and find out what legend accompanies such a beautiful place.

The rock is located in the south-east of Crimea just west of the town of Sudak, near the resort village of Novy Svet, which is located at the very foot of the Falcon. This rock has several other names. In ancient times, it was called the Senator, and modern Tatars call the summit as Kush-Kaya, which in translation from their language means Bird's Rock. Mountains with this name already exist on the peninsula, therefore local population calls education shortly - Falcon.

At the foot there is a small rock Sokolenok, here in the last century, Prince Golitsyn was going to build an estate for his daughter, under his leadership, even the construction of a road began towards the mountain from a house in the New World. Unfortunately, the prince’s plans were not destined to come true, since he died without having completed the construction of the road. The meeting of the local "bird's mountains" is completed by the Rock Small Falcon, located a little closer to Sudak.

The most interesting feature of this attraction is that in reality, Falcon is not a mountain by its origin, nor even a ridge. Geological studies of the structure and solid rocks of the giant proved that it is a huge coral reef that arose millions of years ago.

Of course, it's hard to believe, because the height of education is 473 meters (almost half a kilometer) above sea level. It turns out that many centuries ago the level of ocean water was several times higher than the height of this reef.

From a geological point of view, the top has a 4-tier structure. In the lower part of the Falcon there is a layer of shale, followed by a thick conglomerate, on which are huge layers of sandstone.

The Falcon massif itself consists of limestone of marble type and is covered with alluvial soil. The site near the foot of the reef is officially recognized as an archaeological reserve. On its territory are the ruins of a monastery of the Byzantine era, preserved from the IX century, as well as a small cave monastery of the X century.

Between the Sokol and Sokolyonok rocks are the ruins of a small settlement of the ancient period, flourishing in the 4th century. They can be found in juniper bushes. Tourists will be delighted with the walk along the Golitsyn path leading to the source of St. Anastasia, which was consecrated by the Orthodox Church in 2000. In the 15th century, a large medieval Christian temple was located not far from this spring.

Another feature and uniqueness of the Falcon is the ability to change color depending on how the sun's rays fall on its surface. If the sun shines brightly, from the side, the landmark of the New World appears snow-white, and after the rain it becomes purple or purple.

The height of the rock at 474 meters is so impressive that, having risen to its top and viewing the lower settlements, they will seem like a toy mock-up. The length of the summit is 1.2 kilometers long and 1 kilometer wide.

The slopes are very steep, and the closer to the peak, the more inaccessible they are. To climb to the summit of the giant, you will have to go "light" and only along the northern slope, as in other cases you will need to use climbing equipment and be able to climb rocks at least at the amateur level. Even a beginner can climb up the northern slope without any problems, not to mention the professionals.

In total there are several routes of ascent to the top of the sights of Sudak, differing from each other in difficulty from 1 to 6 levels. Each of them is good in its own way and unlike the other neither in complexity nor in the beauty that opens from it. The only thing that unites the routes to the Falcon is the beauty of the area and the fascination of the ascent, but do not think that climbing to the top of the reef will be an easy walk.

According to the mysterious history associated with the appearance of Mount Falcon, many centuries ago, in these parts lived a rich governor, Pantiy Zarvalyga. He was known among the local population not only as a very angry and unfeeling man, but also as a sorcerer and warlock, who knew many spells and potions recipes. With the help of his knowledge, Pancius could subdue any man, making him his slave. For this reason, the peasants tried not to fall for him, and if they had crossed with the nobleman, they never disagreed with him and always carried out his orders.

In the estate Zarvalygi lived a young maid Alia, she had a small son named Tsute. The brave boy was the only person in the whole area who was not afraid of the sorcerer. He never hid it, on the contrary, tried to spoil the owner as much as possible. Each time his mother tried to rationalize her son, explaining that other servants were suffering because of his tricks, but all her efforts did not lead to anything, the disobedient Tsiute continued his tricks.

One day, one of the employees heard Aliya once again scolding the boy, and he understood because of whom they were constantly punished. He immediately told about the heard of other servants, and they went to Zarvalyg and gave out a naughty boy with his mother.

Pancia was in a frenzy, and Aliya and Tsute had to run out of the house that night to save their lives. They hid in a dark forest and got lost, and then lost each other. In the darkness of the night it was impossible to see anything, the child cried for a long time and called his mother, but in response he did not hear anything, as if she was dissolved in the darkness. At dawn, the crying boy was heard by an old magician who lived on the edge of the forest, he found Tsiute and took him to his home. A good man fed him and put him to bed.

Waking up, Tsiute accepted the offer of the magician to become his student. For 20 years, the guy lived in the forest and studied the art of magic, he learned a lot from a wise teacher, got stronger and matured, but he did not become wiser. Each time he scrolled through the events of that time in his head, and with greater hatred he thought of the cruelty of Pancia Zarvalyga. One day the young man revealed his secret to a mentor, who categorically forbade him to avenge the old master, because the training had not yet been completed.

Secretly from the old Zyute took his magic tune, the strength of which was not even suspected. He reached the seashore where Pancius was and began to play. At the same second, the soil split into two parts, and a huge rock grew out of it, which smashed Zarvalyg's estate into pieces, destroying a huge number of people.Among the dead, Tsute was able to discern the body of his mother. I burn the guy there was no limit, after that no one saw him.

That is how Sokol Mountain appeared in the southeast of the Crimean coast. Guides like to tell this legend to tourists.

It is easiest to get to the giant by car from Sudak or from the New World. On the road you can see a lot of signs that help to get to the place. The exact address of the top: the village of New World, the urban district of Sudak, Crimea, Russia. Local people are always welcome to guests who are serious about the upcoming climb.

Lovers of booze and irresponsible people do not belong here.

In the next video you can watch the hiking of tourists on Mount Falcon.