The village of Koktebel is located only two dozen kilometers from Feodosia. This place has some fantastic aura and is distinguished by its attractiveness. Anyone who has been here at least once will certainly want to come back here again and again. What is so special about this settlement? Maybe the magnificent nature of these places and the enchanting landscape of Kara-Dag? Or maybe the main reason for the attraction lies in that fun bohemian life that guests of the village can plunge into during the summer season?
In order to answer these questions, you need to get acquainted with the sights of Koktebel (Crimea) and the entertainment that it offers its guests.
A bit of history
The area that surrounds Koktebel is rightfully considered one of the most beautiful in Crimea. It is here that the steppe ends and the mountains begin. They rise their asymmetric tubercles above the earth's surface. Rocky peaks are also included in the list of attractions of Koktebel. After all, they form such bizarre forms that the terrain becomes similar to lunar landscapes, but only brighter and more colorful. Bays and beaches, the embankment and streets - everything in this village is subtly in harmony with each other, giving rest to soul and body.
But just a little over 100 years ago, it was God’s forgotten place. By the sea there was only a small village, whose inhabitants lived in structures erected from clay. Instead of stoves, they heated themselves and cooked food on the hearth, which was located in the center of such a house, with a chimney arranged in the ceiling. Since the 90s of the 19th century here summer residents began to master. The first of these was Eduard Andreevich Yunge, a well-known professor at that time, an oculist from St. Petersburg. The whole Koktebel valley was bought up by him literally for pennies. The professor planted a small vineyard here and began to engage in agriculture. After the death of Junge, the sons began to sell the inherited land for suburban areas. However, the bidding was not very good. After all, these places were little known and remote from large cities.
At the beginning of the twentieth century, about two dozen summer residents came to Koktebel. These were lawyers and doctors from Moscow and St. Petersburg, as well as theater artists. One of the houses with a tower, standing on a deserted shore, was bought by Elena Kiriyenko-Voloshina. She literally persuaded her son Maximilian to settle in Koktebel. Since then, Voloshin began to invite his friends from Europe, Moscow and St. Petersburg to Koktebel. He enthusiastically described to them the expanses of the eastern coast of Crimea, on which the Cimmerian tribe lived 2,000 years ago. Thus, one of the most famous art colonies in Russia began to form here. Philosophers and scientists, artists and musicians, writers and poets came to visit Voloshin. From May to November, 400-600 people stayed in his house. In 1931, Voloshin’s house was transferred to the Writers' Union.
And only in the 50s of the last century did civilization come to the village. Pensions and cafes began to be built here. By this time, the place had already gained wide popularity, gradually turning into one of the most fashionable resorts.
Today Koktebel is a secluded village located on the Black Sea coast. It does not belong to the famous southern territory of Crimea. These places are characterized by a slightly different climate. Summer is very hot, and in winter there are frosts.
Attractions in Koktebel and the surrounding area of ​​the village are not very many. Conventionally, they are divided into natural and cultural. The first include natural caves, rocks, capes and mountain peaks. It is they who attract independent and active tourists to Koktebel. In most cases, such facilities are far from the village. However, in this regard, Koktebel was lucky. Tourists can reach many of the amazing natural places almost on foot. There are also existing bus routes. So, we consider the main attractions of Koktebel and interesting places that attract travelers to themselves.
Karadag Nature Reserve
Among the attractions of Koktebel and Crimea, this place can be considered with confidence one of the most basic. That is why it attracts the attention of not only scientists of various directions, but also ordinary inhabitants who came here to admire its beauty.
The Karadakg Nature Reserve is of most interest due to its diversity. Indeed, on its territory there are steppe open spaces that are open to all winds, and the harsh peaks of mountain ranges, and the beautiful sea surface that goes beyond the horizon.
Kara-Dag owes its origin to the oldest volcano. He erupted in these places at a time when dinosaurs lived on our planet. After that, after about 120-130 Ma, a monstrous natural disaster literally tore the volcano to pieces. After this, the formation of the coastline, as well as Kok-Kai, Belaly-Kai, Syuru-Kai, Karagach and Kara-Dag. In other words, the territory of the reserve is one, and only a small fragment of the dead volcano. This is confirmed by the fact that the breed often contains jasper and chalcedony, carnelian, amethysts, agates and other minerals, the formation of which occurs only at high temperatures.
Should you get acquainted with the sights of Koktebel to go to this reserve? What interesting things can tourists find for themselves here? We will get acquainted with the wonderful places of the reserve in more detail.
Holy mountain
The area of ​​this natural formation is almost 3 thousand hectares. At the same time, in this area you can find many attractions that are found literally at every step. Most of these objects are bizarre, unusual and beautiful in form rock formations. You can see them in the photo below.
The highest point of this massif, the Holy Mountain, also belongs to such formations. It has the shape of a fortress and is composed of rocks of the volcanic route, which have an unusual greenish tint. In good weather, the Holy Mountain is visible even from Feodosia.
Golden Gate
Not far from the village is another natural attraction of Koktebel. This is the calling card of these places - Golden Gate. The photo below shows that this object is an almost perfect arched formation.
Its height is 15 m, and its width is 8 m. This attraction of Koktebel stands in the water near the village.
How to spend time in the reserve?
Judging by the reviews of tourists, the nature of these places delights with its beauty, regardless of the time of year. Many of the plants found here are not found anywhere else. In total, more than 2.5 thousand species of flowers and herbs, shrubs and trees grow in the reserve.
That is why those who decide on the question of what to see in Koktebel, the sights of this amazing natural reserve should be admired in the first place.
When visiting the complex, tourists are invited to complete:
- climb to the top of the Klementyev mountain ;
- paragliding or hang gliding;
- skydiving;
- acquaintance with the exhibition expositions located in the museum of Karadag.
Perfectly complement your visit to these natural attractions vacation in Koktebel. The tourist will have long walks in the mountains, and then - by boat or boat on the sea.
Cape Chameleon
There is one of the many natural attractions of Koktebel that are worth visiting for tourists. This is Cape Chameleon. It is formed from emissions of volcanic ash. The name itself indicates that this cape can be of different colors during the day. The most beautiful landscapes, depending on the location of the sun, change right before the eyes of tourists, causing delight and admiration. Judging by the reviews of travelers, many of the guests of the village tend to observe a similar phenomenon.
Fox bay
Description of the attractions of Koktebel with this name will interest tourists with tents, neoformals, nudists and ecotourism lovers. In other words, Fox Bay is perfect for those who want to retire and spend their time away from the noisy crowd.
At one time, V. Tsoi, A. Makarevich, J. Aguzarova, and other famous artists performed on this sandy beach. Today, this is not found here. However, visitors to Fox Bay continue these traditions, arranging parties on the beach with a musical subculture.
Quiet bay
Among the attractions of the city of Koktebel there is also a landscape park. It is called Silent Bay. The territory of this amazing corner of nature is more than 1.5 thousand hectares. Those tourists who like to relax in tents, as well as naturalists, come here.
The name of the bay was not accidental. The fact is that here, even in the most inclement weather, the sea remains still quiet. This is explained by the special location of this place, which is surrounded by several hills. This can be seen in the photo.
A kilometer from the coastline are small islands - Kekurs. These are Ta-Tele and Tash-Bashi. Interestingly, the scene for the film “Diamond Hand” with a boy walking on the water to the shore was shot on a reef near these islands.
House Museum Voloshin
This is one of the main attractions of Koktebel. Voloshin lived in the village most of his life. He was a Russian poet, translator, landscape painter, as well as a literary and artistic critic.
Voloshin’s paintings captured a lot of Crimean landscapes amazing in their beauty. Today they can be seen in the museum. The poet died in 1932, bequeathing his house to the Writers' Union. Today, in this building (photo can be seen below), built back in 1913, a museum operates.
Its exposition presents visitors the most complete collection of Voloshin's watercolors. The library of more than 1 thousand volumes has also been preserved in the house. The first floor of the museum offers to get acquainted with the literary exposition, which tells visitors about the poet's work. The second floor is considered a memorial part. Here in its original form is the workshop Voloshin. As a continuation of the traditions of literary evenings in the museum, on the poet's birthday, annual meetings of fans of his work are held.
Grave of Voloshin
The poet, according to his will, is buried on the top of the mountain, which is called Kuchuk-Enishar. Today this is another attraction of Koktebel, which you can see as part of the excursion group.
By tradition, tourists bring here a gem found on the poet’s favorite coast, and write their desire on it. So they do not by chance. Such a ritual was one of Voloshin's dying wishes.
Promenade
Travelers are attracted in addition to attractions in Koktebel (Crimea) and entertainment. Many of them are located on the promenade, which is the center of the resort life of this village. On fine days it is always noisy. Life on the embankment literally boils day and night. Hundreds of voices of Koktebel guests merge with the sounds of music that comes from the entertainment venues here.
Koktebel embankment stretches along the entire coastline of the village. Its beginning lies near the entertainment complex, located in the west of the village. It is called "New Koktebel". In the eastern part of the village, the embankment ends with a nudist beach.
In its central part, just opposite the Voloshin House-Museum, at the fountain located on the square, entertainment events are constantly organized. These are concerts, contests, and demonstrations. In this part of the embankment, artists and musicians, artists and poets, representatives of numerous subcultures, as well as creative and even non-creative professions, like to gather. Here, guests of Koktebel are invited to buy paintings and souvenirs, memorabilia and tickets for excursions.
Winery "Koktebel"
What other attractions and attractions does the village offer its guests? Koktebel invites tourists to visit the famous factory that produces vintage wines and cognacs.
The products of this enterprise have a large number of international awards. Factory workers say that the success of their products is guaranteed by a unique climate, commitment to tradition and quality drinks. Many vacationers simply do not imagine how you can come to Koktebel and not visit its famous factory. After all, here you can take part in the tasting of drinks made from grapes grown under the fertile Crimean sun. And the wines and cognacs purchased at the plant will be wonderful gifts for relatives and friends.
Fun for kids
Koktebel offers a visit to Dinoteria to its young guests. This place, located near Karadag, is a unique Bird Park. Dinoterium got its name by the name of the skeleton of a prehistoric animal stored in it. But the main entertainment in this park is the observation of various species of birds that were brought to Crimea from many corners of the planet. Birds are not kept in cages. They fly freely around the pavilion, allowing themselves to stroke and feed. Many tourists even put birds on their shoulders.
Another interesting object for entertainment is the “Labyrinth of Time”. Children are invited to walk on it, while performing a variety of tasks.