Characteristics and location of Cape Chameleon in Crimea

Crimea is not in vain considered one of the most picturesque corners of our vast homeland. A huge number of attractions and interesting places with a long history are located on a small square 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 every year visit this natural monument to admire 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 for 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 clayey ashes thrown out, judging by the results of geological studies, by the large volcano Karadag.

This attraction is a natural border that separates 2 well-known natural bays: Tikhaya 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 a storm, did not disturb the tranquility of the inhabitants.The dead is from the west, here the winds raged with might and main and became the cause of the wreck of many ships. In the museums of Crimea, you can find old nautical charts dating from the XIV century, they depict Cape Chameleon.

This place received this name 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 shale, which takes on a variety of shades depending on the angle of the incident sunlight. The unique feature of the clay rock can be observed throughout the day and all sorts of variations can be seen.

Similar transformations occur throughout the year, even in winter. It is recommended to observe the cape from the coast, and not from the sea, so you can better get acquainted with its uniqueness. Another reason the ridge got its name is its lizard-like shape when viewed from the side or from the air. The attraction has another name Toprakh-Kaya, which in translation from Tatar into Russian means "clay rock" or "mud rock". It is with this title that the cape is designated 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 right into the sea, more than 100 m2 of clay went into the Koktebel Bay. The gradual destruction of the cape cannot be stopped, however, according to the statements of scientists, the process of the complete disappearance of the cape will last for several more centuries. The structure of the clay is too soft to withstand heavy rainfall and water from melting snow in spring.

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

There is an interesting story associated with the name of the cape, which guides like to tell tourists. Found her in one of the Turkish sources. Legend has it that in 1475 one of the ships of the Ottoman Empire accidentally entered one of the bays, where they were attacked by a huge monster, very similar to a hybrid of a chameleon and a snake. Unfortunately, the Turkish soldiers could not defeat the monster and every one of them died.

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

The guides recommend visiting the attraction of the Koktebel Bay as soon as possible, since due to the destruction it is already very dangerous to walk on the cape, and only the most desperate extremals dare to get to the head of the Chameleon. The trail has become very narrow, and if the landslides continue with the same frequency, it can be completely closed to protect people from falling off. It is highly likely that in a couple of decades, even the beginning of the path will become inaccessible to tourists.

Many people complain that the trail is already so narrow that it is difficult to walk on it, and the slightest breeze can tear you down. For this reason, the passage along Toprakh-Kaya is strictly prohibited for children, and many adults themselves refuse such an extreme walk, even from the tip of the cape, a stunning view of the entire Koktebel Bay and the Crimean coast opens up.

While the cape is standing still, it is annually visited by thousands of people who have a rest on the eastern coast of Crimea. It is about 4 kilometers from Koktebel to the cape, which is quite a bit. Nearby there is another attraction - the grave of one of the famous writers of the Silver Age M. Voloshin. He was buried at the top of the Kuchuk-Yenishar mountain.

The easiest way is to go to the stone lizard by car, since this vehicle drives up directly to it. You can also get there by minibuses or buses, however, 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 a dirt road that connects the cape with the neighboring village of Ordzhonikidze, you can drive along it or walk directly to the rock.

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

You can look at the beauty of Cape Chameleon further.