Ayia is a cape of incredible beauty, which is a landscape state reserve in Balaklava district. This is a real pearl of the Crimea, here you can admire stunning landscapes.
Description and History
Cape Ayia in the Crimea has a Mediterranean microclimate. You can meet beautiful plants and interesting animals here, which you can also see on the pages of the Red Book.
Ayia is a cape whose name etymologically dates back to the Greek word "ayos", which translates as "holy." The ancient Greeks treated the places with special respect, created burials here for their deceased relatives.
There are scientists who hold a different point of view. They claim that Aya is a cape formerly called Kriumetopon. It was on him that the navigators of antiquity were oriented when they sailed to Tauris. In any case, this is a great place, the beauty of which can be judged even by looking at the photo. Cape Ayia has a long and rich history, there are gorgeous fauna and flora, which may be interested in even the most avid lover of botany or zoology.
What's interesting here
There is a conservation area, which includes Ayia itself - a cape of striking beauty, as well as some other territories, in total 1340 hectares.
If you climb to the top of the cape, you can see a large funnel, in which there are boulders of different colors and tones. You can find blue, beautiful green, even red or with speckled or striped patterns.
Going down to the foot, you can see numerous grottoes in which there is beautiful azure water. Previously, this territory was used by sailors who served in the fleet of the Russian emperor. Here guns used on ships were shot. Traces from the cores are still visible. There are very few monuments of man-made origin. They are usually interested in archaeologists and historians. Although tourists also find it interesting to look at the ruins of the places of residence of ancient people who are in Ayazma, a beautiful tract.
Interesting places
There is a parking lot of primitive people, preserved since the Neolithic era. It is located on the territory of Laspi Bay, which is deservedly called the most beautiful bay in the whole Crimea. Local landscapes deserve the most enthusiastic attention. Cape Ayia gives great aesthetic pleasure . Rest here leaves an amazing impression.
It is definitely worth a visit to Figs. Why is the area called that way? Because of the rock, which is extremely similar to this fruit. The local beaches and nature deserve all praise, but besides them, the place has another interesting point - a mountain called Ilyas Kala. There are the ruins of a monastery of the same name.
This territory has become a conservation area not so long ago, namely since 1982, however, creative people who love beautiful landscapes have come here for a very long time. It is hard to recall a personality more popular than Aivazovsky, he created the work “The Storm at Cape Ayia” here, in 1875.
Rare species
This territory has become a famous wildlife sanctuary not only due to its charm, but also due to the presence of rare representatives of the animal and plant world. You can find here a beautiful pine, a beautiful juniper, as many as 16 varieties of orchids, needles, buckthorn and much more. Of the animals there are noble deer, graceful fox, wild boars, gecko, roe deer, brisk leopard snakes, as well as other animals. Three species of dolphins are found in the sea, as well as crabs, mussels, big mullet, raps, ruff, sea funny dog, and also scorpion. The fauna of this area is very rich, however, like the flora.
Conditions
This territory deserves the closest and enthusiastic attention. Here you can admire the scenery, walk, swim, explore tracts and climb mountains. One day is simply not enough. Fortunately, there is a settlement "Speleologist", where you can spend the night.
You can get into it by going to the very shore, rising to a height of 75 meters above sea level. Each tent can accommodate three people. It features mattresses, soft pillows and warm blankets.
You can eat in the field kitchen, sit on a bench at the table, hiding from the sun and weather under an awning. There is also a barbecue area in the special area. 25 minutes of walking is required in order to get from here to the store and replenish supplies. Also nearby is a pebble beach. Of course, it is not very convenient due to the fact that the stones are large, but if you spread a towel, this does not hurt to enjoy a wonderful pastime.
To get here from Balaklava, you need to overcome 8 kilometers, as well as 20 - from Sevastopol. You can get on the highway connecting Yalta and Sevastopol. You can park your car in a parking lot owned by the local camp site. You will need to go down already on foot. It is also accessible by public transport.