Golden Gate in Crimea: description of the rock, where is it and how to get to it?

Crimea attracts tourists not only with its clean sea, comfortable climate and developed infrastructure, but also with many natural and historical monuments. One of the most popular cities is the resort Koktebel. Next to it, in the waters of the Black Sea, the Golden Gate rock flaunts. This amazing attraction, created by nature, attracts the attention of people visiting these places every year.

A rocky formation resembling an arch is located next to the Karadag mountain (this object is located on the territory of the Karadag nature reserve). The peculiarity of the rock is that it is located not on the shore, but in the sea waters. This facility is known to most tourists who prefer to relax on the peninsula. The rock is considered the hallmark of Koktebel. She is often depicted on souvenir products: posters, postcards, magnets.

First of all, many guests of the above city go to admire the amazing natural monument, which proudly rises above the blue waters of the sea. The rock is often called a work of art miraculous. Local researchers believe that there was previously a volcano in this location. Over the years, under the influence of winds and waves, a large volcano turned into a beautiful arch.

Such an unusual shape is the reason for the name of the attraction "Golden Gate". The size of the rock is small: height above the sea - 8 meters, width - 6 meters. In this area, the maximum sea depth is 10 meters, and the water enchants with a pleasant turquoise tint.The distance from the coast to the cliff is 85 meters. If the word in the name "gate" came from the form, then the additions "golden" are associated with the peculiarities of the color. At noon, the rock is flooded with bright sunlight, which makes it seem to glow.

According to the reviews of local residents and vacationers, sometimes you can witness a natural phenomenon of amazing beauty - the sunrise through an opening in the rock. This is a rare sight that can only be seen for a few days during the winter solstice. During this period, there are few tourists on the peninsula.

According to experts the Karadag massif is about 150 million years old. It appeared due to the frequent eruptions of a large Middle Jurassic volcano. Red-hot lava, falling into the waters of the sea, solidified and formed rocks. The process of formation of rocks lasted for several thousand years. As a result, a coastal ridge with a large number of volcanic formations was formed.

The popular place has become the subject of various stories and myths. Many legends are told during city tours. The most famous local tradition is to throw a coin into the waters of the sea, but before that it must touch a rock and ring loudly... If you succeed in doing this trick, feel free to make a wish. On clear days, when the sea is calm, many coins can be seen at the bottom.

It is also believed that the rock is tightly connected with otherworldly forces and is a portal to other worlds. This belief is several hundred years old, it was invented by local residents. Many believed that if you go through the "gate", you can get into the world of the dead. The Crimean Tatars who live in these lands also believed in a special power. Representatives of this people believed that the rock hides the entrance to the underworld. The belief in the amazing powers of the rock is reflected in the name "Sheitan-Kapu", which means "Devil's Gate".

The above-mentioned natural landmark is located near (a few meters from the coast) of the Karadag nature reserve. Its administration is located in the nearby village of Kurortnoye. For many years, the Golden Gate Rock has been a must-see destination for nature excursions. Every day, many boats and boats sailed through the hole in the rock formation.

In 2012, representatives of the Ministry of Nature introduced restrictions on the coastal zone and the mountain-forest area of ​​the reserve. Also introduced a law regarding tourist routes in the waters of the Black Sea. Taking into account the changes, it was impossible to swim through the rock, as well as stay at a distance of more than 100 meters from the coast. Such measures were taken to preserve and protect the beauty of the region's nature. At present, the Karadag reserve is working and is happy to receive everyone. The entrance ticket price is quite affordable.

You can get to the Golden Gate by your own car. This method is most often chosen by locals or guests who stayed in the area of ​​the Kerch ferry crossing. First you need to get to the city of Koktebel. From the side of Kerch you need to go along the E97 highway. Average travel time is about 2 hours. First you need to move to the intersection with Kirov Street, then turn to Marshal Eremenko and drive along Gorky Street.

The last point is to turn onto the M17 road and get to the city. When you reach the specified region, use the navigation system or the map. Be guided by the Karadag reserve.

The next way to get to Koktebel is by bus. Public transport regularly departs from Simferopol in this direction. Only at the end of the holiday season do buses start to run less frequently. This is a practical and cost effective option.Also from nearby cities you can get to Feodosia and then take a bus to Koktebel.

Sea excursions are in great demand, during which you can comfortably enjoy the beauty of the Crimean peninsula. Taking into account the popularity of the attraction, in Koktebel they often organize walks by the sea with a visit to the rocks. The average duration of such an excursion is about 2 hours.

The cost depends on various factors: the number of people in the group, the route, the size of the vessel and other features. Water transport departs either from the coast of Koktebel or from the village of Kurortnoye. Throughout the tour, the guide will introduce you to interesting stories and myths.

You can get to the famous natural monument on your own. To do this, you should buy an entrance ticket and visit a nearby nature reserve. Due to the constant influx of tourists, especially during the holiday season, it will not be difficult to join a tourist group. The standard walking tour length is approximately 7 kilometers. It should be noted that such a walk requires physical fitness. You will often have to overcome descents and ascents.

Connoisseurs of the work of the Russian writer Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin know that he was personally acquainted with a natural phenomenon. This happened back in 1820, during his travels along the Crimean coast. The route passed from Feodosia to Gurzuf. It is worth noting that the world famous poet did not indicate this landmark when recording his memoirs. Also, there was no mention of the rock in the writer's works.

However, 3 years after visiting Crimea, the drawing of the Golden Gate decorated the sketches of the book "Eugene Onegin". In the margins of the notebook, you can clearly see the rock towering above sea level.

See the boat trip to the Golden Gate rock below.