Crimean Mount Opuk is one of the most amazing places on the Kerch Peninsula. It is a nature reserve with not only a rich fauna and flora, but also archaeological sites.
Location and description of the mountain
Mount Opuk in Crimea is located in the south of the Kerch Peninsula. Its height is 183 meters. The southern slope is covered with cliffs, steep. And since the mountain is located on the Black Sea coast, it is constantly influenced by the surf. Opuk is a stratified upland composed of reef limestones. At the top of the mountain are deep and wide crevices of tectonic origin, the depth of which reaches up to 20 meters. As a result, a huge natural staircase formed on Opuk.
The rocks come to the surface, forming long white ridges. The southern slope has several picturesque grottoes. There are wells with fresh water. These are the only sources of fresh water in the Opuk Nature Reserve. Mount Opuk surrounded by the steppe. But it differs from others in its unique landscapes, vegetation, wildlife and historical monuments.
Near the sea there are four cliff-islands, which are called Ships. Previously, they were connected by a mountain, forming a large ridge. Sedimentary rocks of the mountain have strong limestone. This delays the destruction of the southern slope and rocks of the Ships.
Koyashskoe lake
Mount Opuk also has its own small lake at the foot. He has a second name - Koyashsky. It is small, only 5 square kilometers. Located at the foot of Opuka. The depth of the lake is only one meter. It has no access to the sea. A hundred-meter embankment prevents this. When the shallowing of the reservoir begins, the southwestern part of the lake is separated by a small oblique. The water is mostly salty, but there are also desalinated areas where vegetation grows.
The lake is replenished from artesian sources and due to precipitation. Opuk Lake looks beautiful from the top of the mountain. The shores, white with salt, frame the pink waters of the pond. This shade is given by dunaliella algae and brine shrimp that live in the lake.
Ancient kimmerik
Between Koyashsky Lake and Mount Opuk in the 5th century BC Asia Minor colonists built the city of Kimmerik. In ancient times, it was one of the coastal fortresses that guarded the ports and coast from ferocious nomads. The walls were built very thick, stone. Colonists took material from quarries, which have survived to our time.
In the 3rd century AD e. the city was completely destroyed by the Goths. And came to desolation. Excavations of Kimmerik began in Soviet times. Fragments of dwellings and city walls were found. And on the shore was a lighthouse. Until now, ancient wells in which there is water have been preserved on the territory of the city.
Opuk Nature Reserve
Among the attractions of the Black Sea coast is the Opuk Nature Reserve (Kerch). Mount Opuk is located on its territory. The reserve area is 1592 ha. It was created mainly due to the unique species of birds that live on Mount Opuk. But not only they are protected by the reserve.
Animal and plant world of Mount Opuk
Opuk rightfully boasts its unique wildlife. Only here live pink starlings and nest . Nowhere else in Crimea can these birds be found. In recent years, due to the fact that the territory of Opuka has been declared protected, the number of pink starlings has increased markedly.
A colony of bats lives in mountain caves - witty night-nights. Of the relatives of bats and horseshoes, you can see much less often. The Black Sea salmon and the Atlantic sturgeon live in the sea . In addition to pink starlings, another 60 species of birds nest on Opuka. There are many predators.
Rose hips, elderberries, blackthorn, buckthorn, ephedra and kermek mainly grow on the mountain slopes. The surrounding area is covered with grass. In the spring there are many flowers: tulips, carnations, poppy and others. Flaxseed and bedstraws grow on the sandy lake shores. Of the plants, 16 species are listed in the Red Book. For example, several types of feather grass, katrana, coastal carrot and others.
Mount Opuk: Karadag Monster
Over the past few centuries, the world has been haunted by the legend of an unknown and unusual animal living in the coastal waters of Mount Opuk. Even eyewitness accounts were described. The beast unknown to science was described as a six-meter monster with a large head. Eyewitnesses claimed that it was a snake with fins, large eyebrows and huge yellow eyes.
True, according to the descriptions, the head of the beast resembled one like a hare, another like a horse, and some with giraffe horns. As indirect evidence of the existence of the monster, only dolphins could be suitable, which were found on the shore with lacerations on their stomachs.
But, as it turned out, in the coastal waters of Mount Opuk there is not an unknown beast, but a rare gray seal. And it’s very large. This became known through the video recording of one of the drivers, who decided to uncover the secret of the Opuk monster. Thanks to the shooting, it became known that the seal's eyes really resemble snake eyes, and the movements are smooth, fast and gliding.
Archaeological sites
A stele with runic signs is the last unique archaeological find on Mount Opuk. Found in recent years by archaeologists. Made of stele from stony limestone. And the technique is unique. Previously, all similar runes found in the world were cut into stone, and Opukskaya was carved. The stela is dated to the 4th century BC. e., in the archeology of stelae of this period has not yet been found.
The location of the stele with runes is also surprising, since excavations in the area of Mount Opuk have been ongoing for a long time, but such a relic was found for the first time. In Crimea, no analogues were found at all. The inscription is traditional. On the stele there are four runes with the sign of the sun depicted above them. Scientists suggest that this is only part of the composition. This version is also supported by the groove found on the side of the stele.
Archaeologists suggest that the stone belonged to the mysterious merul (mage warriors). And they used the stele for their rites. The Heruli once lived on Mount Opuk. Here was their sanctuary. Archaeologists suggest that the stele is the guardian stone of the mountain. After the discovery of a unique stone with runes, it was sent for storage to the Simferopol Museum.
Mount Opuk has another mystery. Scuba divers found the remains of a scuttled ship 17 km from the coast. It is crushed by ancient plates, which it is not yet possible to raise. But you can sink to the bottom and inspect the ship under water.
Rocks Ships
Mount Opuk in Kerch is famous for its amazing cliffs Ships. They are created by nature itself, without human participation. There are four such rocks. She is in the sea at a distance of 4 kilometers from the coast. The highest rock is Elken Kaya. Its height above the water surface is 20 meters.
In 1941, a signal light was installed on top of this rock, which served as a beacon for the Red Army paratroopers. The sailors at that time performed a heroic feat. And in memory of these people a memorial was erected on the mountain. To the rocks of the Ships you can book a boat trip.