Characteristics and location of Cape Chameleon in Crimea

Crimea is not in vain considered one of the most picturesque corners of our vast country. A huge number of attractions and interesting places with a long history are located in a small area and amaze tourists with their beauty. One of the most mysterious places in the eastern part of Crimea is Cape Chameleon, shrouded in an interesting legend. A huge number of tourists visit this natural monument every year to enjoy the beautiful view and the main feature of the cape - the ability to change color.

Cape Chameleon is located on the eastern part of the Crimean peninsula, near the village of Koktebel. Outwardly, it resembles a long and narrow strip stretching 70 meters into the sea and dividing 2 bays. The highest point is located 61 meters above sea level. The pointed Chameleon was formed from clay ash, thrown out, judging by the results of geological studies, by the large volcano Karadag.

This attraction is a natural border that divides 2 famous natural bays: Silent and Dead. They are also a gathering place for a large number of tourists. The quiet bay is located on the eastern side of the cape and is named in this way due to the calm climate, which even during the storm did not disturb the tranquility of the inhabitants.The dead one is from the west, here the winds raged with might and main and caused the collapse of many ships. In the museums of Crimea, you can find ancient nautical charts dated to the XIV century, they depict Cape Chameleon.

This name was given this place for two reasons. First of all, due to its main feature - the ability to change color. The fact is that the ridge consists of clay shales, which take a variety of shades, depending on the angle of the incident sunlight. The unique feature of the clay breed can be observed throughout the day and see all kinds of variations.

Similar transformations occur throughout the year, even in winter. It is recommended to watch the cape from the coast, and not from the sea, so you can better familiarize yourself with its uniqueness. Another reason the ridge got its name is its shape resembling a lizard when viewed from the side or from the air. The attraction has another name Toprakh-Kaya, which is translated from Tatar into Russian, means “clay rock” or “mud rock”. It is with this title that the cape is indicated on ancient maps.

Unfortunately, in the spring of 2016, the rock was partially destroyed. The base of Toprakh-Kai was washed away by water and collapsed directly into the sea, more than 100 m2 of clay went into Koktebel Bay. The gradual destruction of the cape cannot be stopped, however, according to scientists, the process of the complete disappearance of the cape will continue for several centuries. The clay structure is too soft to withstand heavy rains and water from melting snow in the spring.

Water flows gradually erode shale and leave large cracks on them. If you look closely, you can find that they are dotted with the whole of Toprakh-Kai. Judging by the old maps, the destruction began a long time ago, since they show that in the XIV century, Cape Chameleon was much longer and wider.

There is an interesting story related to the name of the cape, which guides like to tell tourists. Found it in one of the Turkish sources. Legend has it that in 1475 one of the ships of the Ottoman Empire accidentally went into one of the bays, where they were attacked by a monster of enormous size, very similar to a hybrid of a chameleon and a snake. Unfortunately, the Turkish warriors could not defeat the monster and all died to one.

Among the passengers of the ship was a Turkish witch, who, according to legend, turned the chameleon into a clay rock. Of course, this all sounds somewhat unbelievable, but as they say, in every legend there is, albeit a small, but a fraction of the truth.

Tour guides recommend visiting the landmark of Koktebel Bay as soon as possible, since it’s already very dangerous to walk along the cape because of the destruction, and only the most desperate extremes decide to get to the head of the Chameleon. The path has become quite narrow, and if the collapse continues at the same frequency, it can be completely closed to protect people from collapse. It is very likely that in a couple of decades, even the beginning of the path will become inaccessible to tourists.

Many complain that the path is already so narrow that it is difficult to walk along it, and the slightest breeze can tear down. For this reason, the passage of Toprach-Kai is strictly forbidden to children, and many adults themselves refuse such an extreme walk, even from the tip of the cape there is a stunning view of the entire Koktebel Bay and the coast of Crimea.

While the cape stands still, and it is visited annually by thousands of people resting on the eastern coast of Crimea. From Koktebel to the cape about 4 kilometers, which is quite a bit. Nearby is another attraction - the grave of one of the famous writers of the silver age M. Voloshin. He is buried on top of Mount Kuchuk-Enishar.

The easiest way is to go to the stone lizard by car, as this transport drives right up to it. You can get on minibuses or buses, however, so you have to go a couple of kilometers on foot. To be on the ridge, you must first come to the village of Koktebel. Regular buses reach the dirt road that connects the cape with the neighboring village of Ordzhonikidze, you can drive it by car or walk directly to the cliff.

In the reviews, tourists recommend visiting the Chameleon in the summer, when the climate is most pleasant. Many advise you to come to the cape in the afternoon, and best of all at sunset, to better see how the Chameleon changes color.

You can see the beauty of Cape Chameleon further.