Tavrida, Taurica is a beautiful and amazing land! It is difficult to imagine the variety of natural and climatic conditions that the Crimean peninsula can boast of. The Kerch Strait not only separates Europe from Asia, but also separates the Taman Peninsula from the Kerch Peninsula. It is the latter that will be discussed in this article.
Crimea: The Kerch Peninsula and its geographical location
The peninsula is located in the extreme east of the Crimean land. It covers an area of about three thousand square kilometers and stretches from west to east for almost 100 kilometers. The peninsula is washed by two seas at once: the Black Sea from the south and the Sea of Azov from the north. The Kerch Peninsula is connected to Crimea by the Akmonai Isthmus. It is curious that from some of its points (mainly on the hills) one can see the waters of two seas at the same time.
The Kerch Strait separates the peninsula of the same name from the Taman Peninsula. It is connected to the opposite shore only by a ferry crossing. The width of the strait fluctuateswithin 5 to 15 kilometers. The oblong island of Tuzla is also located in its water area.
Kerch Peninsula: photo and description
In terms of relief, the territory of the peninsula can be divided into two parts: southwestern (mostly flat) and northeastern (elevated and hilly). The hills can be considered a kind of hallmark of this part of Crimea. They are very expressive here, some reach a height of 190 meters.
The second highlight of the peninsula is mud volcanoes. These natural phenomena will be discussed later.
The Kerch Peninsula is characterized by hot, dry summers and little snow in winters. There is not a single river with a permanent stream, they all dry up during the warm season. Atmospheric precipitation on the peninsula falls no more than 450 millimeters per year.
Kerch is the "capital" of the peninsula
On the eastern outskirts of the peninsula, off the coast of the strait of the same name, ancient Kerch is comfortably located. This city was founded in the 5th century BC, and today it is one of the three largest cities in Crimea. Today, about 150 thousand people live here.
As a resort, Kerch, of course, is not famous. However, there is a huge number of historical and architectural attractions. These are Mount Mithridates, the remains of the ancient Panticapaeum, the Church of John the Baptist, the Adzhimushkay quarries, the Yeni-Kale fortress. Once in the city, you should definitely take a walk along the embankment, decorated with unusual monuments.
From Kerch it is most convenient to explore the entire Kerch Peninsula. From here you can easily go to Arshintsevo, Chokrak, Mount Opuk or Cape Zyuk.
Sights of the peninsula: Arshintsevo
Kamysh-Burun - this is how this village used to be called. Today it bears the name "Arshintsevo". In the village itself, you should definitely see the remains of the ancient city of Tiritaka. A spectacular corner tower has been preserved here, as well as fragments of defensive walls. The city was the southern outpost of the Bosphorus kingdom.
Near the village is Arshintsevskaya Spit, which attracts many vacationers with its clean sandy beaches.
Chokrak lake and its surroundings
Lake Chokrak is famous all over the world for its healing mud. They successfully treat arthritis, gynecological and other diseases. Even the ancient Greeks appreciated these muds. They were actively exported to Greece, Italy, France. Companies of people naked and smeared with black mud from head to toe, walking along the shores of the lake - a typical picture for these places.
Cape Zyuk can also be interesting for tourists. This is the extreme northern point of the Kerch Peninsula, which is located in the village of Kurortnoye. The only Old Believer church in Crimea operates here. Also on the cape you can see the ruins of another ancient settlement.
Natural phenomenon of Crimea: mud volcanoes
Do you want a real exotic? Then feel free to go to the Kerch Peninsula! After all, it is here that a real natural phenomenon is located - a complex of mud volcanoes.
The famous Crimean "Valley of Volcanoes" is located near the village of Bondarenkovo. The volcanoes themselves are very tiny (up to 1-1.5 meters in height). Therefore, to find them on the ground, you need a knowledgeable guide.
Scientists have been struggling with the problem of predicting the eruptions of the Kerch mud volcanoes for a long time. But they managed to study in detail the composition of the erupted mass. It is a mixture of mud, oil, methane and hydrogen sulfide. All this is pushed to the earth's surface under the influence of combustible gases.
It is interesting that there are mud volcanoes not only on the surface, but even at the bottom of the Sea of Azov. The largest of them - Dzhau-Tepe - is located near the village with the specific name Vulkanovka. Scientists have recorded at least five of its massive eruptions over the course of the 20th century.
In conclusion…
The Kerch Peninsula occupies the eastern outskirts of the Crimean Peninsula. There is something for an active tourist to see here: ancient Kerch with Mount Mithridates, mud volcanoes, Arshintsevskaya Spit, Cape Zyuk, Lake Chokrak and many other interesting places.
