In the Krasnodar Territory, at the entrance to the village of Praskoveevka, there is a very original miraculous natural monument - Parus Rock. Gelendzhik is only fifteen kilometers away from it.
The rock, the photo of which once again proves the accuracy of its name, really has the shape of a quadrangular sail. This is a vertical sandstone formation that broke away from the main rock massifs as a result of the failure. And the dimensions of this creation of nature are impressive: a thickness of almost 25 meters, a height of more than 20.
The rock stands
right perpendicular to the line of the sea and is submerged by three quarters in the water.
There is much debate about the origin of this miracle of nature. It is not clear to the end whether the Skala Parus was once part of the coastal mountain range or always stood alone in the sands in this very place. Geologists say that once it was part of the seabed and remained after washing out the sea of soft sandy rocks and falling water levels.
At an altitude of almost three meters above sea level, on its surface, the rock Sail has a hole of unknown origin. Local residents say that it was pierced by artillerymen during the Caucasian War, although some memoirs of those times say that sailors from their battleship tried to break through the rock more than once, but they did not succeed. Numerous footprints in stone speak in favor of this version.
There are many legends and traditions about this natural monument. It is even suggested that the Parus rock is exactly the place where Prometheus was punished. According to the ancient Greek myth, indeed the one who gave fire to mankind was chained to a high rock, standing alone in the sea.
It is not known how true this is, but the fact that immigrants from distant Greece who settled here and are captivated by local beauty live in neighboring Praskoveevka - a fact.
No one knows how long the Parus rock costs in this place, attracting the attention of tourists and travelers, but many who come here to look at this natural monument are trying to tear off at least a small piece for themselves. Therefore, it is very difficult to predict how much longer with this barbaric attitude it will stand.
It is also interesting that there are three similar geological formations, and all of them are located on the Black Sea coast. The second rock Parus - the sister of Praskoveevskaya - rises in the Crimea region, and the third - at the foot of the
Swallow's Nest.Although, according to those who saw all three, the Crimean and Yalta are not as unusual and beautiful as Krasnodar.
The road to the rock goes along the coast, in places huge boulders block it. Sometimes you even need to jump over slippery stones in the water, so not many reach its base. But those who still get trying to touch her hands, believing in her miraculous power to fulfill wishes.
At the beginning of the seventies of the last century, Parus rock was declared a state natural monument, but the approaches to it have not been equipped, although this does not stop tourists who annually come here in thousands. I must say that the coast near the village of Praskoveevka is amazingly beautiful, there is a very blue and clear sea and picturesque surroundings.