There is nature Big Akhun Mountain, which is one of the main tourist attractions of the city of Sochi. At its top there is a magnificent observation deck, from where you can view the amazing natural landscapes of the Caucasus Range and its environs.
This amazingly beautiful place is a tower on Mount Akhun in Sochi and its environs.
Short description of the mountain
This peak of the Caucasus ridge has a height of 663 m (above sea level) and runs along the Black Sea coast. It has a length of about 5 kilometers. On the western side of the mountain is the canyon of the river. Agurs, in the east - r. Hosta, on the north - a tributary of Agura with a touching name Agurchik. The southeastern slope of Akhun is occupied by the famous Yew-boxwood grove (the territory of the Sochi Nature Reserve).
More than 30 caves (large and small) were found on the mountain slopes, the largest of which is Bolshaya Akhunskaya, located on the northern side of the peak. Its length is 384 meters, and its height reaches 20 meters. There are also no less interesting slopes in these places: Maly Akhun peak with a slightly lower height (501 m) and 380-meter Eagle Rocks.
About the origin of the name of the peak
There is no exact version about the origin of the name of the mountain on which the Akhun tower is located. There are some assumptions, according to one of which, the mountain owes its name to the Ubykh god, the patron saint of herders, Akhyn. According to another version, the word “Akhun” in translation from the Abkhaz language means “hill” or “hill”.
Whatever the case, all the assumptions are suitable for this magnificent building, which stores in itself a certain part of the centuries-old history of these places.
Akhun Tower: a history of occurrence
At the beginning of the 20th century, a major reconstruction of the famous resort of Sochi was made. Attention was paid to Mount Akhun. In 1935, an 11-kilometer highway was laid to its peak, and in 1936 a unique observation tower was built at its highest point. Moreover, the height of the tower was designed so that trees did not obscure the view from its site. Thus, all the amazing natural landscapes in the perimeter of 70 kilometers are clearly visible.
It all started with the order of Joseph Stalin, after the leader visited the city of Big Akhun. The tower was made of white limestone, which was mined during the construction of the Akhunsky highway. All this was built for 10 months, but the leader of the country for some reason could not visit this wonderful place again. The tower was designed by architect S.I. Vorobyov, who worked for a long time in the city of Sochi.
Description
The majestic observation tower Akhun is located on the highest point in the Khostinsky district. This is a rather interesting architectural solution. It looks unusual and original: the limestone is roughly processed, the style is Romanesque.
It reminds this architectural work of a knight's castle of the Middle Ages. Its height is 30 meters. But the main attraction in the design of the stairs, which is built outside the tower, and therefore each turn on it represents bewitching landscapes. The highest effect is achieved by the fact that at the very end of the ascent to the tower the structure provides for a closed section, after which every tourist feels delight, shock from the indescribable surrounding splendor.
In total, at a height of 700 meters towers Big Akhun. It presents the gaze of tourists from the south side with a magnificent view of the Black Sea, capturing the scenery of the coast of Abkhazia. From the eastern side, you can see no less beautiful neighborhoods of Adler, from the west - the city of Sochi, and from the north - the majestic Caucasus Mountains and green meadows, stretching along the shores of the Black Sea.
This tower belongs to the wonders of Russia. Outwardly, it resembles the peculiar buildings of the Genoese. There are many similar structures on the Black Sea coast of Crimea and the Caucasus. Most importantly, the tower on Mount Akhun offers amazing views of the nature of the area.
The road to it runs through fantastic relic groves containing more than 200 species of various plants, of which 30 are listed in the Russian Red Book. Not far from these places are located Agursky waterfalls, the gorge of the same name and the Eagle Mountains.
Excursions
Most of the guides assure that on the clearest days from this place you can even see the Turkish coast. Of course, this is not a completely reliable fact. But it is definitely known that from this place the Black Sea coast from Dagomys to Pitsunda itself is perfectly visible.
Inside the tower there is a museum where you can get acquainted with numerous representatives of the rich Caucasian flora and fauna. You can ride a pony or horse here. Often observed and wedding processions, as this is the favorite place of the newlyweds.
For tourists in these places, all conditions are created for taking walks in the fresh air with subsequent rest. A cafe where you can order hot dishes and barbecue, as well as souvenir shops are located exactly where the majestic tower of Akhun stands.
How to get there
You can take a shuttle bus to the Agura stop, and then walk along the right bank of the river towards a restaurant called Caucasian Aul. Having overcome about 900 meters, you need to go to the opposite side of Agura through the bridge. The road ends at the restaurant itself, then you should go along a fairly well-maintained path that rises up. Also on the way you can see Agursky waterfalls, drying out in the driest years. At the confluence of the Agura River with its tributary Agurchik, the road begins a steeper climb, after which a flat part of the path appears, ending with a high stone tower. On the way to it there is a spring with drinking water, which has the Big Akhun tower.
Most travel agencies provide bus excursions. A car trip passes in the direction of Sochi-Adler, just turn off at the sign for Akhun. The road represents a total of 20 sharp turns and a rather lengthy climb. The entire route from the turn to the tower is 11 kilometers.
Conclusion
The beautiful 30-meter tower Akhun is simply magnificent. The feeling that it was built several centuries ago. The observation tower has, as noted above, a rather original structural feature. The gaze of tourists, both during the ascent and during the descent, constantly opens up enchanting landscapes: a surprisingly beautiful city, a fabulous panorama of the sea, snowy majestic mountain peaks and amazing natural landscapes of the mountain itself, covered with a dense green forest.
Views of the surrounding area fascinate and attract with its beauty and mystery. In order to imagine and feel all this, you should take a tour to these amazing and tempting places.