Crimea has many attractions for every taste. There are mosques and waterfalls, gorges and monasteries, museums and cave cities, mounds and quarries, palaces and caves, dolphinariums, parks, gardens, fortresses, observatories, nature reserves, mud volcanoes, an art gallery and even an extinct volcano. You can live your whole life in Crimea and not see half of it. This is what happened with the White Rock. How many times, driving along the Feodosia-Simferopol highway, we saw it in the distance, not even imagining how interesting this place could turn out to be. This year we finally went on purpose. My school friend and part-time Feodosia tour guide, Elena, went with us.
White Rock - Ak-Kaya, the most beautiful massif of the Outer Range of the Crimean Mountains. An almost hundred-meter sheer cliff of limestone rises on a conical base of white marls, cut by deep ravines. This landscape, close to the chalk prairie, allowed Soviet filmmakers to shoot westerns and adventure films here: “The Headless Horseman”, “The Man from Capuchin Boulevard”, “The Mustang Pacer”, “The Leader of the Redskins”, “Cippolino”, “Armed and Very dangerous", "Kings and cabbage".
Since 1981 it has been a natural monument of national importance. This entire area is of great interest to archaeologists. It was here that the remains of Neanderthal man were discovered for the first time on the territory of the USSR. The caves of the White Rock served him as shelter from bad weather, and its steep cliffs helped to drive the beast during the hunt. And in a quarry where limestone was mined, in 1981 the bones of an ancient whale that lived 50 million years ago were discovered. This is the first such find not only in Crimea, but throughout Eurasia.
Like most of the mountains of the Inner Range, this is a typical cuesta, that is, a mountain with asymmetrical slopes - gentle and steep. We drive from the Golden Field and enter the White Rock from its gentle side, along the road that is marked on the map as the road to the quarry.
Of course, we did not miss the opportunity to get closer to the Scythian mounds, of which there are a lot here, from very low to ten meters high. But let's get back to this a little later. In this message I will only talk about the landscape part of our walk. Archaeological deserves a separate story.
If you look to the north, this is the usual Crimean steppe.
Which suddenly ends abruptly
revealing the vast valley of the Biyuk-Karasu River (from Crimean Tatar - big black water).
Here she is, curling like a green snake
Along the entire cliff you can see cracks separating large blocks from the main massif. Sooner or later they will collapse.
But destruction is constant. The white color of the rock is caused precisely by the fact that the rocks that make up Ak-Kaya do not have time to change color under the influence of natural influences. The mountain has a two-tier structure - the main massif is Paleogene limestone, and under it there is a cone-shaped slope consisting of rock intermediate between limestone and clay, that is, scree formed as a result of the slow destruction of limestone. We will see this later when we go down into the valley and look at the White Rock from below.
I don’t risk going closer to the cliff - a strong gusty wind literally pushes me unexpectedly into my back. Although I really want to go to the very edge and appreciate the height and beauty of the valley.
I must say that we were very lucky with the weather. The cyclone passing at this time added drama to the landscapes and adrenaline to the sensations.
The sky is clearing up
then it's covered in dark clouds
I was not able to get closer to these interesting blocks - in this place we literally “lay down in the wind”, trying to move.
With great difficulty we got to the car and, descending from the plateau, drove up to the grotto, marked on the map as “disc-shaped”.
The grotto turned out to be quite large
and inside it is really disc-shaped!
In 1960-70, 20 sites of primitive man of the Mousterian era were excavated at the northern foot of the cliff. A large number of flint points, knives, and scrapers were found. Near the ancient hearths are the bones of extinct animals of the Crimea - mammoth, red and reindeer, saiga, primitive bull, wild horse, onager, etc.
In the upper part of the rock, weathering created pillars, grottoes, and oval niches. At the bottom, weathering products accumulate: screes, piles of blocks. In some places, erosion is restrained by thickets of wild rose and hornbeam.
We climb the scree to walk along the entire cliff at the base of its steep upper part.
First small grotto
And this is a big grotto. Impressive, right? We didn’t try to climb up without special equipment.))
At this time it started to rain.
If the trail had been clayey, we would not have gone far during the rain. But the loose rock only sank under our feet.
Another big grotto. There is a hawthorn tree at the entrance.
The cave located in the middle of a steep cliff has always been of particular interest. Due to its inaccessibility, it is overgrown with legends and is called Altyn-Teshik, which means Golden Hole. The entrance to it is located at a distance of 52 meters from the base and 49 meters from the edge of the cliff.
The photo was taken by my husband on his phone, and these two figures on the left are us.
In the Middle Ages, the Tatar city of Karasubazar grew 5 km from the rock. Today this is Belogorsk - a modest regional town. And in the heyday of the Crimean Khanate, Karasubazar in its importance could be compared with Bakhchisarai. There was a large trading hub here. Numerous slaves captured in the northern lands were driven here to the market. And at the top of the White Mountain in those days there was an execution site. Convicts were thrown from a steep cliff. Young Bogdan Khmelnitsky observed this sad spectacle in 1620. He spent more than a year in Tatar captivity in Karasubazar. He was often led to an ominous cliff, thus hoping to encourage him to more persistently write letters to his family asking for a ransom. During the Russian-Turkish wars, the headquarters of A.V. Suvorov was located in these places. On the White Rock, the result of the centuries-old struggle of the Russian state for Crimea was summed up. It was here on June 10, 1783 that Prince G. A. Potemkin ordered the Crimean beys and murzas to appear in order to take an oath of allegiance to the Russian state from them.
Here Lena shows the continuation of the trail. But due to strong wind and rain, we decided not to go along it
and go straight down the slope.
And here Ak-Kaya is before us in all its majestic beauty.
By this time the sky had completely cleared.
We stopped on the shore of Biyuk-Karasu to have a little snack. Doesn't this "Big Water" seem too big? For the low-water Crimea, it is not so small.
One last look at White Rock from the highway.
About Scythian burial mounds, petroglyphs and meeting with archaeologists - in the next series. In the meantime, a short video.
White Rock (Crimea) is something completely unusual and mysterious for ordinary people. This place attracts many tourists every year who want to have an unforgettable experience. Getting to the natural attraction is not difficult, because Ak-Kaya is located near Belogorsk, that is, almost in the very center of the peninsula. White Rock - Crimea in its almost original form, preserving its natural splendor and permeated with the spirit of history.
The content of the article:
- First acquaintance with White Rock
- How to get there
- Historical information
- Active recreation and entertainment
What does the Ak-Kaya mountain range look like at first glance?
Unfortunately, it often happens that masterpieces created by nature are destroyed by man for some pressing purpose. While a destroyed building can be restored, the situation is different with a mountain. Fortunately, now guests and residents of the peninsula can admire the preserved Ak-Kaya rock. Crimea is not only wonderful beaches, warm sea, parks, palaces and fortresses, but also picturesque mountains formed over millions of years of tectonic processes. The white rock is one of the most unusual places that you should definitely see with your own eyes.
Ak-Kaya translated from Crimean Tatar means White Rock. Crimea was repeatedly visited by film crews who were making films in these amazingly beautiful places. Interestingly, the mountain looks mesmerizing even from afar thanks to the color of the limestone rock. In bright sunlight, observing the massif is a particular pleasure: it seems that there is a glow coming from the White Rock. Crimea is definitely worth a visit if you haven’t seen this magical place yet.
Hiking to enjoy stunning views of the White Rock
A pleasant and useful way to spend time is a walk to the White Rock (Crimea) with a visit to very ancient caves that were formed in the Paleolithic. In addition to the benefits of walking, you will enjoy the stunning views that open over the surrounding area from Ak-Kaya. It is interesting that it is possible to get to the mountain range and directly to it by horseback riding.
If you decide to ride a horse, there will be even more positive emotions. People with a developed imagination can feel like a character in one of the Soviet films that were filmed in these places. White Rock (Crimea) will fully meet all your expectations and even exceed them. The mountain is located far from crowded and dusty cities, it is easy to breathe on it - you can feel the wonderful aromas of sun-warmed herbs. There are no heavy industries or endless streams of cars with suffocating exhausts nearby, so if you want to breathe the cleanest air, then be sure to visit the White Rock. Crimea is ready to give you many of the most positive impressions and help you restore your health.
the views at the top of Ak Kaya are so different
White Rock, Crimea - how to get to an amazing attraction
You can find it five kilometers from the city of Belogorsk. If you like to spend active holidays, you should definitely visit these picturesque places. You will be captivated by the grandeur of the steep white cliffs, from the tops of which a stunning view of the endless expanses opens.
You can get to Mount Ak-Kaya, Crimea, in different ways.
- If you are driving your own car, you need to get to Belogorsk first, and then drive another 5 kilometers towards the mountain.
- You can also enter the coordinates of the mountain into the navigator: 45° 5" 55.45" N 34° 37" 53.92" E.
- For those traveling by public transport, you first need to take the Simferopol - Belogorsk bus. From there you need to take a minibus that goes towards the village of Belaya Skala, Crimea. There you need to walk along a wide street leading to the river. You can also walk along the river valley, cross it over a small bridge, and then pass an apple orchard. if you don’t have water with you, then it’s better for you to get it from this river, since there are no sources of fresh water on the White Rock itself.
We are on the map:
If you have any difficulties on the way to Mount Belaya Skala, Crimea, you can find out how to get to it from the residents of Belogorsk or the village of Belaya Skala, who will be happy to tell you which road and where you need to go to get to this amazing place.
The height of the White Rock is 325 meters above sea level. White steep cliffs proudly rise above the picturesque river valley with the amazing name - Biyuk-Karasu.
Clarification of where the rock is located
Some tourists who decide to go to this place for the first time require more detailed information. From White Rock (Crimea) to the capital of the peninsula is about 50 km and about 7 kilometers to the road connecting Feodosia and Simferopol. You should cross Belogorsk and drive about 4 kilometers to a settlement called White Rock, which is located next to the mountain range of the same name, which rises above the Biyuk-Karasu river valley. From the surface of the valley to the top of the mountain is about a hundred meters.
History of origin
It is interesting to learn about exactly how the masterpiece created by nature was formed. In addition to internal tectonic processes, the cuesta relief was affected by weathering. Due to the external influence of atmospheric phenomena, all kinds of niches were formed.
At the bottom of the mountain range, as a result of erosion, residual materials accumulate, such as:
- limestone blocks;
- scree of small stones;
- ravines and beams.
Vegetation partly inhibited the weathering process, which influenced the unusual appearance of the mountain. Having rented housing for daily rent in Belogorsk, you can go see the amazing beauty of this place. No photographs or videos can convey the stunning view of the rock.
Historical information about the attraction
In the 20th century, in the 60-70s, on the northern slope of the massif, a paleontological expedition excavated sites of primitive people, the total number of which was about 20 places. Then they found numerous household items, as well as skeletons of animals that do not exist in Crimea today:
- wild horse;
- giant deer;
- cave bear;
- mammoth.
At the same time, the remains of Neanderthals were discovered.
Ancient people settled in this region because it was optimal for subsistence. Nearby one could find water, shelter in caves, and flint necessary for everyday life. In these places, primitive man hunted, which brought great success, because there was a lot of game.
Much later, Sarmatian tribes built their dwellings on the territory next to the rock. They created ritual places in rock cavities, left signs in caves, carving them on stone. Tourists love to engage in interesting entertainment in Crimea - looking for symbols of ancient people on the rock.
Traces of history
On the hill there are numerous mounds left by people who lived next to the rock. It is interesting that in the Middle Ages the head of a rich Tatar family, Shirin, lived near it.
It is difficult to enter the Altyn-Teshik cave located at the top, since it is 50 meters away from the base of the mountain. There are several legends about this place:
- the grotto cave was the haven of a werewolf snake who stole beautiful girls and took them to his lair;
- there are rumors that secret passages stretch all the way to Feodosia;
- The cave was once inhabited by a gang of bandits who hid treasures somewhere.
In the old days, various political meetings were held on the mountain, when it was necessary to choose a clan head or discuss a khan who was causing discontent. Executions were also carried out in this place. Bohdan Khmelnytsky was present on the mountain when captured soldiers were thrown off it to speed up the process of payment of money by the hetman.
Even on the White Rock in the 70s of the 18th century, a headquarters was located in which Suvorov was engaged in military affairs. In the 80s of the same century, local noble people became loyal subjects of the Russian Empire, taking the appropriate oath.
Attraction in our time
To get acquainted with ancient sights, you should go on weekend tours in Crimea - the amazing beauty of the White Rock will definitely not leave you indifferent. When approaching the mountain range at close range, it will become clear that its color appears absolutely snow-white only from a distance. In reality, the slopes of the mountain are beige with a yellowish tint.
In the caves located on the rock, you can feel like a real speleologist. You should definitely stock up on a flashlight, because sunlight penetrates only to the beginning of the caves, and beyond there is absolute darkness.
Numerous patterns can be found on the rock. It seems that only people could create them, but in fact, nature did their best. As a result of the activity of the winds, all kinds of cavities were formed, as well as supports on which the upper part of the massif rests.
The top of the mountain is marked by numerous signs of erosion. At the bottom of the rocky massif, crushed stone embankments cut into hollows are visible. Among them, large fragments of limestone are noticeable, having great weight and impressive appearance.
Guides and experienced tourists advise going to the mountain in the evening, because it is not so hot and there is better visibility. If you want to look into the caves and recesses, then it is better to climb the western path. Armed with a camera, you will take many wonderful pictures as a keepsake.
Active recreation and entertainment
White Rock (Crimea) is an excellent place for active recreation. Extreme enthusiasts will definitely appreciate the opportunity jump off a mountain range , tied with a rope. You need to register in advance, because only 2 dozen jumps from a height of more than 100 meters are carried out per day. The cost for the first time is 1200 rubles, then jumps are done for 900 rubles. Free fall length - 80 m.
If you have never jumped with a rope before and are worried, then there is no need to worry - professional equipment provides a 100% safety guarantee.
Great on the rock spend time camping , sit with a guitar by the fire.
Horseback riding
If you want to climb the White Rock on horseback, then there are all possibilities for this. You should use the services provided by the Cowboy equestrian club. Available:
- many horses;
- car parking for which you don’t have to pay anything;
- area for outdoor picnics;
- refrigerators;
- dishes;
- barbecues.
Riding horses that are calm in nature will give you a pleasant experience. In addition, for the convenience of tourists, various routes have been developed to the White Rock - a place that is definitely worth visiting.
Come and enjoy the wonderful Crimean nature!
The Cowboy equestrian club offers its services to everyone who wants to have fun. With us you can:
As much as I traveled around Crimea, I always had the feeling that on this island of land someone had collected geological and landscape beauties from almost all over the world - such different reliefs and views can be found here.
One of such places can be called White Rock, which we will talk about today.
Almost in the middle of Crimea, between the Main mountain range and the endless steppes, an extremely unusual cue formation rises more than 300 meters, reminiscent of the world-famous landscapes of Arizona (albeit, with the exception of the color scheme) - the vertical wall of Ak-Kaya, or White Rock.
It’s hard to imagine, but this rock was once the seabed, as evidenced by the huge number of fossilized shells and mollusks that come across here just under your feet.
Since Soviet times, this place has been chosen by directors making films about the American West, Indians and more - at different times, “The Man from Capuchin Boulevard”, “Mustang Pacer”, “Leader of the Redskins”, “Mirage” were filmed on White Rock, “Cipollino”, “Armed and Very Dangerous”, “Kings and Cabbages”, “Lobo”, “Moneychangers”, “Wonderful Valley”, “The Headless Horseman”, “The Plane Flies to Russia”, “Dungeon of the Witches”, “Escape” to the ends of the world”, “Code of the Apocalypse”, etc.
2. White Rock is located in the Belogorsk region of Crimea above the valley of the Biyuk-Karasu River. If you get to it from the north, you will not immediately understand that you are heading towards an incredible cliff - you are driving along steppe roads, rolling over hills, and suddenly... there is a sheer wall below you.
From the south, the rock looks exactly as in the photo - Ak-Kaya itself is on the left, Mount Adjilar is on the right. Between them there is a crumbling winding road, along which we used to climb to the plateau. Now there is an asphalt road to the right of Adjilar, from which a dirt road branches off at the top, running almost along the edge of Adjilar and Ak-Kaya. 
3. White Rock was formed by erosion and weathering of Cretaceous limestones and sandstones over many thousands of years. If you stand under the rock itself, at the foot you can clearly see the mounds of what were once rock walls 
4. Plateau on Mount Acilar. Here, at the foot of Ajilar and further, in the depression between it and Ak-Kaya, the very films that I said at the very beginning were filmed 
5. Views from the plateau of Mount Acilar 
6. Geometry of fields 
7. And in the distance you can already see the White Rock 
8. This is where the same giant repeater is located, which I mentioned earlier 
9. At the foot of the White Rock, more than one city was built with scenery for filming. Everything that you saw, for example, in “The Man from the Boulevard des Capuchins” was located in this place under the rock. 
10. Views from White Rock 
11. The end of the rock wall. It feels like someone just cut off all the excess with a knife 
12. The altitude here is about 325 meters above sea level 
13. The old road that led to the rock. Today you can climb it only with a well-prepared SUV. 
14. Faults in the upper part of the plateau. There are generally a lot of faults, natural grottoes and caves here. 
15. Rock wall of White Rock. The scree created by the wind is clearly visible below. 
16. One day these “small” pieces will fall off and fly down with a roar. 
17. At the foot of the White Rock in the 70s, about 20 sites of primitive man of the Mousterian era were excavated.
And near the ancient hearths, a large number of bone remains of the extinct fauna of Crimea were found: mammoth, cave bear, giant and red deer, saiga, primitive bull, wild horse, onager, etc. 
18. One of the faults on the rock wall 
19. But once upon a time this was the seabed. Yes, it's hard to believe, but it's true. Here and there under your feet you come across such boulders of stone, which consist entirely of fossilized shells 
20. Clam frozen in stone 
21. In some places it’s just part of a rock 
22. Some mollusks themselves became pebbles 
23. White Rock, view from the highway. This is exactly how most people passing by see it. 
24. Layer cake created by wind and time... 
The White Rock (Ak-Kaya) is a famous landmark of Crimea, which is located between the steppe part of the peninsula and its Main mountain range. The village, which until 1948 bore the name Ak-Kaya (“White Rock” in Tatar), is also called. Since 1981 Ak-Kaya has been a natural monument.
Geographical features
Ak-Kaya is a sheer rock that rises above the river valley. Biyuk-Karasu is 100 m. The valley itself is 225 m above sea level. The geological rocks that make up the mountain are white limestones as well as sandstones, which provide the unique color. The characteristics of these rocks allowed nature to create a real miracle through weathering: grottoes, niches, and pillars appeared closer to the top of the rock. In its lower part, heaps of boulders, picturesque screes and hollows formed. The rock is partially protected from erosion by rosehip and hornbeam bushes that have actively grown at its foot.
The height of the cliffs reaches 107 meters!
This is a treasure trove of information for geologists, because... in the rock layers, the remains of the ancient inhabitants of the sea, which was once located here, are perfectly preserved.
Historical reference
Archaeological expeditions of the 1960s - 70s were able to excavate 20 sites of ancient man (their age is 300 - 30 thousand years BC) at the foot of Ai-Kai. In addition, the remains of ancient animals were discovered:
- - mammoth,
- - cave bear,
- - a giant deer,
- - onara, and a number of others, no less interesting.
The natural conditions of the mountain - caves, grottoes, a nearby river, the presence of a silicon deposit - made these places very comfortable for the primitive inhabitants of Crimea. In addition, it was convenient to drive prey to a steep cliff during a hunt.
It was in this place that the remains of a Neanderthal were found for the first time on the peninsula.
At the beginning of the new era, Sarmatians lived in this territory; scientists believe that the rock was a sanctuary for them.
In the Middle Ages, Tatars already settled here. The noble Shirin family, descendants of Genghis Khan, controlled part of the Silk Road passing through present-day Belogorsk. For them, Ak-Kaya played the role of a veche, where the Elder of the clan was elected, and the Murzas discussed their claims to the Crimean Khan.
But it was also a convenient place for execution. The owners of the area, who did not disdain the slave trade, threw off the cliff those whom they could not (or did not want) to ransom. Bogdan Khmelnitsky himself, who was captured by the Tatars in his youth, saw this. Then, in front of the future hetman, the prisoners were executed in order to encourage him to more intensively collect money for his own ransom.
Interesting:
The Shirin clan was so powerful that the khans of Crimea gave them their daughters as wives. And the city of Karasubazar (now Belogorsk) was considered the economic capital of the Khanate.
In 1777, the headquarters of A.V. was located here. Suvorov, who defeated the Tatar army. An oak tree has been preserved at the foot of Ai-Kai, under which, according to legend, the great commander rested.
Good to know:
On the White Rock plateau in 1783, the elite of the defeated Crimean Khanate, through their representatives, swore allegiance to the Russian Empire.
Legends of Ak-Kai
Residents of Crimea love to tell beautiful legends about their wonderful peninsula. And the White Rock was simply created for amazing events to happen here.
According to one version, this was once the home of the Serpent Gorynych himself. As usual, the monster flew around the surrounding area, stole livestock from people for food, and, according to the laws of the genre, fell in love with a young girl. The Serpent dragged his chosen one to the cliff.
The beauty found out how to kill the monster and threw a letter with information from the mountain. But she waited in vain for help; no one came. Time passed, she gave birth to a baby, for whom the happy father made a golden cradle. And only after hearing the baby’s cry, a certain hero took out a magic sword and managed to defeat Gorynych. True, the end of the legend is sad - everyone died, including the beauty and the child with whom she threw herself off the cliff. Only the golden cradle remains, and enthusiasts are still hoping to find it.
According to another legend, one of the most famous caves, Ai-Kai (Altyn-Teshik), served as a treasury for local robbers, hence the name, which in Russian sounds like “Golden Nora”. And some are sure that an underground passage begins from this cave all the way to Feodosia. There are other interesting stories associated with the rock.
Be that as it may, Ai-Kaya is a real treasure for scientists. Many discoveries have been made here
- geologists,
- biologists.
- ethnographers
- archaeologists and historians.
Video review
Tourist Information
The legendary treasures of the Golden Hole and Scythian mounds attract modern treasure hunters to the White Rock, but it is no less popular among ordinary tourists.
You can climb Ai-Kaya:
— by car, preferably an SUV and not in winter;
— on a horse, at the foot of the cliff there is a horse farm, where they will rent a horse and offer a route to choose from - 1.5 hours along a steep path up and down or a calm ascent and descent in 3 hours;
- on foot, which, of course, cannot be called an easy walk, but all difficulties will be rewarded with beauty, which can only be appreciated from the top point.
Going to the White Rock, travelers see not only this miracle of nature itself and breathe beautiful air, but also get acquainted with historical artifacts and excavations of an ancient Scythian settlement. And many more wonderful experiences await them along the way.
Important!
There is no shade on the plateau, you need to take hats, and there will be nowhere to get water on the mountain!
Fans of active and extreme recreation can try themselves in rope jumping (jumping from a cliff on a rope). And romantic natures can stop at a campsite and spend the evening with a guitar by the fire
Interesting:
The unusual shape and beauty of the mountain attract filmmakers. Many famous films were filmed here, including
- "The Man from the Boulevard des Capuchins"
- "Headless horseman",
— “The Star and Death of Joaquin Murrieta”,
- "Business people".
How to get to Ai-Kai
From Simferopol to the village of Belaya Skala is only 47 km,
— by car you need to go along the highway to Feodosia, then turn to Belogorsk;
— by bus from the Vostochnaya bus station to Belogorsk, then take a minibus to the village of Belaya Skala, then on foot;
- It is possible to travel by excursion bus.
Address: Belogorsky district, Belaya Skala village
White Rock on the map of Crimea
GPS Coordinates: N 45 06.483 E 34 37.317 Latitude/Longitude
White Rock, Ak-Kaya is the pearl of the mountainous Crimea, located in the heart of the peninsula not far from Simferopol and Belogorsk, it rises majestically against the backdrop of emerald valleys and the blue sky, sparkling in the sun with milky walls.
Why is it worth visiting the White Rock (Ak-Kaya) in Crimea:
✦ This is an extremely picturesque and unusually beautiful place
✦ This is the oldest natural monument of republican significance
✦ Sites of primitive people were discovered here
✦ Historically important events took place here
✦ An ancient Sarmatian temple and golden Scythian tombs were found here
✦ This place is covered in legends: labyrinths, dragons, treasures and treasures
✦ Famous films were filmed here: “The Man from the Boulevard des Capuchins”, “The Headless Horseman”, “The Leader of the Redskins” and others
Get a guide to the White Rock (Ak-Kaya) route, which includes:
✦ Description of White Rock
✦ Detailed route on how to get by car from Simferopol and Kerch to Belogorsk
✦ Car maps and terrain plan
✦ A selection of cultural and historical facts about the place
✦ Travel tips
✦ Information about guides, transport and accommodation in Crimea
Guide to the White Rock route
Interesting details about the White Rock (Ak-Kaya) in Crimea
This limestone work of natural art captivates with its grandeur. The triangular cliff cliff rises 325 meters above sea level, and the distance from the base to the top is more than 100 meters. A vertical wedge of rock cuts through the green meadows of the valley, like a mighty icebreaker. Along the sides of this gigantic ship, the wind, like portholes, has created picturesque niches and grottoes, which you can reach and hide from the scorching Crimean sun in the cool shade of the caves.
Legends say that the caves of the White Rock hide in their depths the beginning of a many-kilometer labyrinth leading southeast to the Black Sea coast. In ancient times, giant werewolf snakes and fire-breathing dragons, who kidnapped beauties, hid their prey in the labyrinth, and in the Middle Ages, robbers reliably hid priceless treasures and treasures from prying eyes.
In the last century, in Krasnaya Balka in the vicinity of Ak-Kai, archaeologists discovered several dozen sites of primitive man, which are at least 30,000 years old. Based on the number of anthropological remains found, this place is recognized as one of the largest Paleolithic monuments in Europe and the only place in the world where a collective burial of primitive people was found. Even ancient man was no stranger to the beauty of the White Rock and the Black River Valley.
A wonderful place to live at all times has left us traces of bygone eras. Once upon a time, mammoths and cave bears lived here, giant deer, saigas and primitive bulls found food in the valley, where herds of horses graze today.
More than two thousand years ago, the White Rock served as a sacred temple for the nomadic Sarmatian people. They left us a legacy of their family marks, carved in the stone of the caves, as evidence that this land belonged to them.
In the Scythian era, Ak-Kaya had capital status; a large city with a fortress was located here. The Scythians crowned the White Rock plateau with their mounds - luxurious tombs of kings and local nobility, who were buried in rich gold decoration along with chariots, horses and servants.
Perhaps not all mounds have been found, and there is still room for discoveries and the search for ancient treasures.
In the Middle Ages, these lands were owned by the Crimean Khan; he and his family lived in a large house at the foot of the White Rock. And at its top the Crimean aristocrats gathered - the Murzas, who made important government decisions. Criminals were executed here by throwing them off a steep cliff.
In the 18th century, on the White Rock plateau, the Crimean nobility took an oath of allegiance to Russia, when, with the light hand of Catherine II, under the leadership of the great Russian statesmen Suvorov and Potemkin, Crimea became the “Jewel in the Crown of the Russian Empire.”
During the Soviet era, White Rock became famous as a filming location for legendary Soviet films: “The Man from the Boulevard des Capuchins”, “The Leader of the Redskins”, “Cipollino” The Headless Horseman”, “Armed and Very Dangerous”, “The Plane Flies to Russia”, “Apocalypse Code” ", "Day of Wrath", "The Star and Death of Joaquin Murrieta" - this is not a complete list of films that were filmed in the picturesque valley.
Each era leaves its mark on this place, creating a special energy of space that can only be felt when you come here. And, if time permits, it would be nice to spend a few days here, outdoors in a tent by the fire, to fully enjoy the beauty of this place, and, perhaps, to reveal some of its secrets.
In addition to its incredible beauty and cultural and historical heritage, the White Rock is fraught with another unusual property - it changes its color depending on the time of day, weather conditions and time of year. For example, on a clear summer day, against the backdrop of the blue sky, Ak-Kaya shimmers with the delicate color of creamy vanilla, shining in the golden rays of the sun. A herd of red horses looks especially picturesque in such a frame - the background of emerald grass stretching in all directions of the valley, the vertical peaks of milky rocks, and the azure sky create a unique palette of colors. And at sunset, for a few magical minutes, the White Rock becomes a solar mirror, casting a lilac-pink halo of the setting sun and bringing unforgettable romantic moments to happy tourists.
You can talk endlessly, but all this is worth seeing with your own eyes...
