Aya is a cape of incredible beauty, which is a landscape state reserve in the Balaklava region. This is a real pearl of the Crimea, where you can admire stunning landscapes.
Description and history
Cape Aya in 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.
Aya is a cape whose name etymologically goes back to the Greek word "ayos", which translates as "holy". The ancient Greeks treated these places with special reverence, they created burial places here for their deceased relatives.
There are scientists who hold a different point of view. They claim that Ayia is a cape formerly called Criumetopon. It was on him that the sailors of antiquity were guided when they sailed to Tauris. In any case, this is a wonderful place, the beauty of which can be judged even by looking at the photo. Cape Aya has a long and rich history, rich fauna and flora, which may be of interest to even the most avid lover of botany or zoology.
What's interesting here
There is a protected area here, which includes Aya himself - a cape of amazing beauty, andalso some other areas totaling 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 blues, pretty greens, even reds or speckled or striped patterns.
Going down to the foot, you can see numerous grottoes, which have beautiful azure water. Previously, this territory was used by sailors who served in the fleet of the Emperor of Russia. Guns used on ships were shot here. Traces from the nuclei are still visible. Very few monuments of man-made origin have been preserved. They are usually interested in archaeologists and historians. Although it is also interesting for tourists to look at the ruins of the places of residence of ancient people, which are located in Ayazma, a beautiful tract.
Interesting places
Here there is a site of primitive people, preserved from 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 Aya gives great aesthetic pleasure. Holidays here leave amazing impressions.
You should definitely visit Fig. Why is the area called that way? Because of the rock, which is extremely similar to this fruit. 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 with the same name.
Thisthe territory became a protected area not so long ago, namely since 1982, however, creative people who love beautiful landscapes have been coming here for a very long time. It is hard to remember a person more popular than Aivazovsky, he created the work "The Storm at Cape Aya" right here, in 1875.
Rare Species
This area has become a famous nature reserve not only due to its charm, but also due to the presence of rare representatives of flora and fauna. Here you can meet a beautiful pine tree, a beautiful juniper, as many as 16 varieties of orchids, needles, buckthorn and much more. Of the animals, red deer, graceful fox, wild boars, gecko, roe deer, nimble leopard snakes, as well as other animals live here. Three species of dolphins are found in the sea, as well as crabs, mussels, a large mullet, rapana, a ruff, a funny sea dog, and also a scorpionfish. The fauna of this area is very rich, however, as is the flora.
Conditions
This area deserves the closest and most enthusiastic attention. Here you can admire the landscapes, walk, swim, look at the tracts and climb the mountains. One day is simply not enough. Fortunately, there is a Speleologist settlement here 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. Mattresses, soft pillows and warm blankets are provided.
You can eat in the field kitchen, sit on a bench at the table, hiding from the sun and bad weather under an awning. also ina special area for barbecue. It takes 25 minutes on foot to get to the store from here and restock. There is also a pebble beach nearby. Of course, not very convenient due to the fact that the stones are large, but if you spread a towel, it will not interfere with enjoying a great time.
To get here from Balaklava, you need to overcome 8 kilometers, as well as 20 from Sevastopol. You can drive along the highway connecting Y alta and Sevastopol. You can leave your car in the parking lot belonging to the local camp site. You will have to go down on foot. Alternatively, public transport is available.
