Natural monument Karaul-Oba in Crimea: description and location

The Crimean peninsula, in addition to the sea and the coast, is interesting for natural mountain monuments. Such attractions include Karaul-Oba, which is of interest for its external features, centuries-old history and location.

The Crimean peninsula is notable not only for the sea coast and flora, but also for interesting places, one of which is the village of Novy Svet. Karaul-Oba became the "visiting card" of this resort town - a mountain with stunning views for kilometers around. In addition, the natural monument itself is interesting in light of its size, shape and history. The mountain range is located in a natural bay that stands out for its unique climatic features.

A great place to visit was and "Ladder of the Taurus".

The array got its name from the Crimean Tatars, Karaul-Oba in translation from the local dialect means "sentinel peak". This name was not chosen by chance, because the natural monument rises more than 300 meters above the village. In its early days, the mountain range was a coral reef located underwater. Of the remarkable features of this area, it is worth noting the location near the massif of the village of Tavrs.

A little later, at the western foot of the "sentinel summit" was erected Bosporan fortress... This hill was a strategically important object for all peoples who lived in the bay, since it allowed viewing the area from its peaks, and also served as a reliable defense.

It survived the massif and turbulent times in history, when this section of Crimea suffered from the raids of the Goths, which practically laid siege to it. In 576, the peninsula was conquered by Byzantium, and in the 13th century the village located near Karaul-Oba became a Mongol ulus. A hundred years later, the present New World was inhabited by Armenians. In the 15th century, the coral reef began to play an important military role for the Tatars, who could see the approaching enemy from a height. In 1478, the Crimean Khanate became a vassal of Turkey.

The history of the formation of the Crimean winemaking is also inextricably linked with the New World and a large mountain range. In the famous Chaliapin Grotto, located in the cave of the massif, the best Crimean sparkling wines were kept, in the second part of the cave during the time of the Russian Empire, parties and tasting of grape drinks were held.

A cavity that served several functions was formed naturally in the rock. And the name in honor of Fyodor Chaliapin received due to the fact that the artist himself allegedly performed in the grotto. The famous path that goes around the cliff was created specifically for hiking, as well as exploring the prince's possessions for Emperor Nicholas II himself.

Today Karaul-Oba is a natural protected object, it originates from the Tsarskoye beach, striking with its stone bends. Some parts of the mountain have rather unusual names. So, above the water rises a rock called the "Mushroom", on its top there is a dried-up tree, which is called the "Slingshot of the Giant". Further, the outlines of the massif develop into Cape Chicken, which has some visual resemblance to a dog's face. You can also find comparisons of a hill with a diving dolphin or the head of a dormant dragon.

The whimsical forms of the massif are complemented by the famous "Taurus Ladder", as well as the popular tourist route that intersects with the Golitsyn trail and leads to the world famous wine cellars, carved right into the rock. This is another milestone in the history of the natural monument.

According to archaeologists, the staircase is already more than two and a half thousand years old, it was also carved into the rock, contains two tiers, and sometimes does not exceed half a meter in width. To the south of Karaul-Oba, it turns into a plateau-like massif, which is also no less interesting in terms of its size, location and shape.

Today the natural monument is part of the Novy Svet botanical reserve. For a more accurate determination of the location of the massif, we can say that Karaul-Oba is a natural watershed between Kutlak and Golubaya Bay. The mountain is located at a distance of two kilometers from the village.

To visit this attraction from the sea side, you will need to go from Tsarskoye Beach to the west of Cape Kapchik. From the village of Novy Svet, it is easiest to get to the hill, for this you can follow the tourist route along the Golitsyn trail as part of an excursion group, or walk along the sea on your own.

You can get to the entrance to the trail from the end of Golitsyn Street or walk near the entrance to the local sanatorium "Zapovednaya Roscha". When getting to Novy Svet by your own transport, it is recommended to leave the car in the parking lot near the beach, near the champagne factory, and then proceed to the reserve on foot. There are also specially designated parking spaces at the end of Golitsyna Street. An alternative to walking from the side of the New World would be approach to the mountain from the village of Veseloye. To do this, you will need to move along the coastline to the east.

In addition to the official checkpoint to the reserve, there are many paths along which you can get to the array without paying an entrance. So, vacationers can enter from the western side of Novosvetsky beach at the very edge of the settlement or through Veselovskaya Bay.

Regular buses from Sudak and other cities of the peninsula run to Novy Svet. The road to the village passes along a mountain serpentine, so during the trip you will also be able to admire the unique sea and mountain landscapes.

The main tourist route of the reserve passes through the mountain range, so for every vacationer there will definitely be a lot of interesting and exciting places in the process of visiting an attraction. In addition to the famous juniper grove, you can admire the breathtaking seascapes from the cliff. For vacationers, a visit to the very top of the mountain is available, however, the road up will not pass through all tourist routes in the reserve.

Golitsyn's trail goes around the mountain and ends in Veselovskaya Bay. If you follow it to the specified end, you can visit another attraction of the Crimea - the Kutlak fortress, the construction of which was carried out in the 1st century BC.

As for the mountain itself, the route at its foot is considered easy, however comfortable footwear and drinking water will be required. Children and the elderly may need help navigating some areas where the ascent will have a vertical slope.

It is worth noting that the trail in some places can be confusing for travelers visiting the attraction for the first time. That's why experienced guides offer sightseeing tours... Accompanied by a competent employee of the reserve, you will be able to avoid many unpleasant moments during the walk, in addition, during the excursion you can learn a lot about the sights and legends associated with them.

The most popular routes through the reserve are considered to be two options, both are indicated on the map located near the entrance. Each of them is assigned a serial number.

• Route number 1. A walk that is planned in this way is considered more difficult than the second route. It involves a passage through the "Valley of Paradise", as well as an ascent to the top of Karaul-Oba. Tourists will definitely pass near the "Ladder of the Taurus" and "Peak of Cosmos".
• Route number 2. As in the first option, along the entire path, tourists will have appropriate signs indicating the direction of movement in the reserve. According to the majority of tourists, it is on the second route that the most beautiful views and landscapes open up to tourists, since it contains several observation platforms. The path will go through the "Bonsai over Tsarskoe beach", as well as the "Valley of Hell", "Refrigerator". The last place is a crevice in the mountain range, into which a person is able to climb.

As a rule, both options for walking along the mountain range involve an overview of all the available attractions. Walking through the reserve, travelers will surely see the so-called rhino. It consists of two sheer cliffs that provide the resemblance to an animal. "Valley of Hell" will be the very first place that tourists will visit on the trail if they move from the village of Veseloe... The place is located between the rocks and the Karaul-Oba peak. Nearby there will be a crevice with a cool grotto.

"Peak Kosmos" has a height of 245 meters, it is located between two valleys. This place is prized for its excellent observation deck, from which you can see the entire eastern part of the peninsula."Raya Valley" on the territory of the reserve is located between the peak and the immediate summit of the mountain range.

In the stone labyrinths of Karaul-Oba, one should visit a place called "Adam's bed." It represents a passage between the rocks that will hang over the heads of travelers. When considering the mountains in this area, it can be noted that their relief resembles bizarre inscriptions on the surface.

The Taurus Ladder is considered the most famous and sought-after attraction on the trail. According to legends, the eponymous people who once inhabited the bay were engaged in its construction. In those days, it led to the shrine located on the mountain. The second version indicates that it was already built during the time of Prince Golitsyn. Today, the steps are in a dilapidated state, so tourists need to stick to a special cable stretched along the stairs.

Have "Peak of Cosmos" there are several picturesque rocks, in the outlines of which you can find some similarities with the figures of animals.

Tourists will be able to see three picturesque boulders standing right in the water. They are called "Three Monks"... Also during the excursion in the eastern part of the valley you can visit the "Cave of the Taurus". It is believed that this people once lived in it; today tourists often stay in it. Another interesting stone is called "Ax Rock", a lonely pine tree grows on it.

Video review of the mountain "Karaul-Oba" and its surroundings is provided below.