White rock in Crimea: where is it and what is famous for?

Some of the sights of the Crimean peninsula cannot yet be called “untwisted”, nevertheless they are of great interest to tourists who prefer an active vacation to the usual “lying” on the beach. It is to such places that include the White Rock of Ak-Kai, which is considered a small Crimea in a concentrated form.

In 1981, Ak-Kaya was recognized as a natural monument of republican significance. Besides, White Rock is considered a federal historical heritage site, so anyone who comes to Crimea can safely recommend this amazing place to visit. Over millions of years, snow, rain, temperature changes, winds and tectonic processes formed the most bizarre and intricate forms of slopes and rock outlines, and numerous eolian grottoes even formed on the western part. White Rock is a miraculous monument, a piece of Crimea, which did not touch the destructive power of man. The highest point of Ak-Kai rises at an altitude of 325 m above sea level, as if it hangs over the small river Biyuk-Karasu.

The mountain has a pleasant unique shade that is visible from afar. - thanks to the combination of light sandstone and white limestone, the rock can be called a real miracle of nature. On the top of Ak-Kai, stone pillars, grottoes and spacious niches were located, and in the lower part due to the weathering of limestone rocks, colorful screes appeared. The length of the cliffs of the White Rock reaches 107 meters.Scientists believe that once this mountain was a peak at the bottom of the ancient Tethys Sea, but after it disappeared, it turned into a peak on the land surface.

It has been established that the rock itself, like its surroundings, has been inhabited by living creatures since ancient times. During archaeological excavations, many fossilized remains of underwater inhabitants were found. Many animals found their refuge here.

So, in the second half of the last century, on one of the slopes of the mountain, the remains of a cave bear, mammoth, primitive deer and even a wild bull were discovered, horses and saigas lived here.

About 20 sites of the most ancient people were found; it is assumed that in fact there were much more - burials of children and adults were found in the rock. Along with this, many ancient tools were excavated, which Neanderthals used for life, hunting and defense. The age of the finds is estimated at about 150 thousand years.

In the Middle Ages, the lands fell under the rule of the noble Tatar clan Shirin. Elections of the head were held on the top of Ak-Kai, here the most notable Tatars held assemblies, and dissatisfied "revolutionaries" gathered people to express their dissatisfaction with one or another ruler. The steep slopes of the White Rock were often used to execute captives and criminals. By the way, in 1620, Bogdan Khmelnitsky also visited here as a prisoner. It is known that a huge ransom was requested for him, threatening death in case of failure.

In 1777, during the Russo-Turkish war, the great Russian commander A. V. Suvorov established his headquarters on Ak-Kaya - It was he who defeated the Tatars Shirin. At this point, an agreement was signed between Yuri Dolgoruky and Turkish Khan Sahib Giray, which confirmed the independence of the Crimean Khanate from Turkey. Six years later, Prince Potemkin-Tauride arrived here - then the Crimea officially passed under the authority of the Russian Empire, and the prince took the oath of local nobility for allegiance to his new homeland. White Rock was a popular spot for filming Soviet movies. In this picturesque place, such paintings as “The Headless Horseman”, “Armed and Very Dangerous”, “The Man from the Capuchin Boulevard”, as well as “The Witches Dungeon”, “Mustang Ambler” and some other tapes were created.

Like any other place, on the Crimean peninsula Ak-Kai is rich in secrets and legends. Most of them are about the Golden Mountain - the very cave where the remains of the burial place of Neanderthals were found. According to legend, this place is something like the lair of the Serpent Gorynych, who for hundreds of years kept the local beauties in fear.

The beauty cried for a long time, but then she managed to figure out a secret about how to kill a snake and dropped a letter with information in the village, hoping for an ambulance. But no one ever responded to her call, and a year later she gave birth to a child for whom Gorynych built a golden cradle. Once a hero passed by, who heard a child crying and managed to kill a monstrous beast.

According to another version, it was here that the same 40 robbers from the famous fairy tale hid the looted treasures. However, no one ever found gold. But the "black archaeologists" plundering the Scythian mounds are more than enough here.Local old-timers tell the legend that the cave is actually very long and stretches all the way to Feodosia.

Getting to the top of the mountain is easy. Near the eastern ledge, a trail leads to the very top of the cliff. On the flat side, the height of the White Rock in Belogorsk is approximately 100 m. In some sections, the rise is rather difficult, but all the difficulties are, no doubt, worth it.

The top of the mountain itself is a flat, flat surface, but if you turn east, you can see the oldest Scythian mounds. In the west, the Biyuk-Karasu River and the city of Belogorsk are located, closer to the horizon, a series of mountains of the Crimean ridge is clearly visible. On the way to the top you can see a large block of stone. It will become a reference point indicating that the direction is chosen correctly.

Usually excursions to the mountain start from Belogorsk. The distance from this town from Simferopol is 47 km. You can overcome this path by public transport - first by bus, following the Simferopol – Belogorsk flight, then by a local minibus to Belaya Skala station, and from there you can travel only on foot to the mountain.

If you plan to drive your own car, you need to get to Belogorsk, then turn towards the mountain and move for about 5 km. It is best for trips to choose an SUV and make trips in the summer. By the way, to the very top is not necessary to climb on foot. At the foot of Ak-Kai there is a horse farm where you can always rent a horse.

Tourists traveling to Ak-Kai can not only see the stone wonders of nature, but also enjoy the wonderful air, get acquainted with the fascinating facts of ancient history, see the ancient sites of the Scythians, excavations and artifacts with their own eyes. Believe me, you will find many wonderful and unforgettable impressions on the way. If you decide to climb to the top of the White Rock, you should first of all take care of the convenience of moving. The main thing is to choose the right shoes, sneakers will do the job best, but sandals, sandals and even more so shale ones are completely unsuitable here. Do not forget that there is no shadow anywhere on the plateau, so both adults and children will need a hat.

As a rule, a trip requires certain forces, so it will not be superfluous to bring along drinking water and a small snack. Well, of course, any climb up the mountains is fraught with injury, so it is advisable to bring along a first-aid kit with disinfectant solutions, cotton and bandage, as well as drugs that alleviate the condition during sun or heat stroke. From the elevation difference, some tourists experience sensations similar to those that appear on the plane - they lay their ears and feel dizzy.

Fans of extreme sports must take with them everything necessary for road jumping, and the most romantic can always pitch a tent and spend the night with a guitar near a fire under a star-strewn sky. The best time to visit is April and May. At that time, it was already warm for rojumping, but there was no sweltering heat, so the vegetation had not yet sunk out of the sun. Not far from the cliff you can see amazingly beautiful wild peonies.

Onosma, a plant with funny yellow bells, is blooming at the very foot of the plant; in general, yellow flowers prevail in the area, especially on the yale, an arid flat top.

About the white rock in Crimea, see the video below.