Cape Aya is a magical corner of Crimea. Cape Aya in Crimea Flora of Cape Aya
The Crimean peninsula has unique corners that allow tourists to combine several types of recreation at once. In them you can sunbathe on the beach and swim to your heart's content, climb mountains, see rare representatives of flora and fauna, plunge into the underwater world, and explore ancient monuments. One of these is Cape Aya in Crimea. Photos of the local shores clearly explain why the name Lost World became its almost official nickname.
Where is the cape in Crimea?
It is a rocky outcrop of the coast into the sea 13 km long. It is located closest to it. Aya is separated from Sevastopol by about 20 km.
Aya on the map of Crimea
From the history of appearance: pearls among the rocks
The cape is a rocky ridge with rather steep, steep slopes. At the same time, several small bays are cut into it, where the famous beaches are located - Kapitansky,.
The coastline has very clean water (filtered by algae and shellfish), making it convenient for diving. Rocks and forests have given shelter to many rare animals; red-listed plant species such as tall juniper, pistachios, strawberries, and Stankevich pine also grow here.
Rare inhabitants can also be found in the water - dolphins,... As a result, since 1982, near the city of Balaklava, Cape Aya became a nature reserve. Recreation is allowed here, but subject to strict rules and under the supervision of foresters.
Holy places near Balaklava
The word "Aya" means "holy" in Greek. The remains of several medieval temples and a monastery have actually been discovered at Cape Aya. However, most likely it is not they who are involved in the appearance of the name, but the features of the unusual landscape, evoking thoughts of some kind of miracles or witchcraft, which literally evokes everything that the traveler sees.
But poetic names are assigned not only to this protrusion, but also to its individual objects. So, the highest points here are called Kokiya-Kaya (translated, respectively, as “Bird Mountain” and “Blue Rock”). One of the sections of the Ayazma reserve tract (together with its best beach) received the nickname Fig for the resemblance of the most noticeable rock in this area to a southern tree.
Holidays for active people on Cape Aya
Since the area is protected, there are no luxury shops here. Tourists relax on a hike and, when deciding how to get to Cape Aya, you should think about backpacks and comfortable shoes. There are several campsites for accommodation here, the most famous is the Speleologist tent camp. The tents are set on boardwalks and equipped with mattresses and blankets, so you don’t have to worry about catching a cold. The camp provides centralized preparation of food for the “camping” menu.
Although the local coastline is rocky, you can find many excellent places for sunbathing and swimming. The entrance to the water is gentle, but the local beaches do not belong to the category of “paddling pools”. It can be very interesting due to the purity of the water. In the Devil's Gorge there is a small bay with underwater springs. But boat trips should only be taken in good weather and with caution - sailing may be unsafe. Aivazovsky warned about this when he created the painting “Storm at Cape Aya”.
Walking in the mountains can give you an unforgettable experience of beautiful scenery. Laspinskaya Bay, Ayazma tracts and - all these beauties will be revealed to those 
who dares to conquer Cape Aya in Crimea. Photos from its peaks will become the pearl of any home collection.
Animal lovers will be able to look for a leopard snake in the thickets, and try to see dolphins in the sea. There is also something for lovers of antiquities. Archaeologists have established that people have lived in grottoes since the Neolithic era. These caves also became famous during the Great Patriotic War - they were used for shooting naval guns. On the cape itself in 1927 P.P. Banenchikov discovered the remains of a medieval settlement. These buildings can still be seen today. The ruins of the monastery remain.
While relaxing on Cape Aya, tourists should remember that they are in a protected area. Here it is better to make less noise, you should not pick or break plants, and there are special areas for making fires. A careful attitude will help save the Crimean “lost world” from the not always useful invasion of civilization!
How to get there (get there)?
It is not difficult to find Cape Aya on a map of Crimea, focusing on the location of the Sevastopol - Yalta highway. But this does not mean that you can drive here by car - in any case, you will have to cover some distance on your own two feet, leaving the car in the parking lot. Vacationers using public transport will have to get from the minibus (stop “Fifth Kilometer”), and from there by boat or again on foot. However, a walk along the protected rocks will only bring benefits and pleasure.
The easiest way to get to Cape Aya by car from Sevastopol is this:
Note to tourists
- Address: highway T-27-05, Balaklava, Sevastopol, Crimea, Russia.
- Coordinates: 44.419133, 33.672797.
Holidays on Cape Aya allow you to connect with nature, improve your health due to the sea and healing air, and get a lot of impressions. It is not at all necessary to book a hotel with many “stars” for a lot of money. The true soul of Crimea is revealed to those who measure its land with their own feet and do not strive to move away from it.
Aya is a cape of incredible beauty, which is a landscape state reserve in the Balaklava region. This is a real pearl of Crimea, here you can admire stunning scenery.
Description and history
Cape Aya in Crimea has a Mediterranean microclimate. Here you can meet beautiful plants and interesting animals, which you can also see on the pages of the Red Book.
Ayia 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 respect and created burial places here for their deceased relatives.
There are scientists who hold a different point of view. They claim that Aya is a cape formerly called Criumetopon. It was this that the sailors of antiquity were guided by when they sailed to Taurida. 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; there is a magnificent fauna and flora that can interest even the most avid lover of botany or zoology.
What's interesting here
There is a protected area, which includes Aya itself - a cape of amazing beauty, as well as some other territories, totaling 1340 hectares.
If you climb to the top point of the cape, you can see a large funnel in which there are boulders of different colors and tones. You can find blue ones, beautiful green ones, even red ones or with speckled or striped patterns.
Going down to the foot, you can see numerous grottoes with beautiful azure water. Previously, this territory was used by sailors who served in the fleet of the Emperor of Russia. Here the guns used on ships were shot. Traces from the nuclei are still visible. Very few man-made monuments have survived. They are usually interested in archaeologists and historians. Although tourists can also be interested in looking at the ruins of the places of residence of ancient people, which are located in Ayazma, a beautiful tract.
There is a site of primitive people here, preserved from the Neolithic era. It is located on the territory of Laspi Bay, which is deservedly called the most beautiful bay in all of Crimea. Local landscapes deserve the most enthusiastic attention. Cape Aya gives a huge gift. A holiday here leaves an amazing impression.
It is definitely worth visiting Fig. Why is the area called this way? Because of the rock, which is extremely similar to this fruit. The local beaches and nature deserve all sorts of 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.
This territory became a protected area not so long ago, namely since 1982, but creative and loving people have been coming here for a very long time. It’s hard to remember a more popular personality than Aivazovsky; he created the work “The Storm at Cape Aya” right here, in 1875.
Rare species
This territory has become a famous reserve not only due to its charm, but also due to the presence of rare representatives of the animal and plant world. Here you can find beautiful pine, beautiful juniper, as many as 16 varieties of orchids, butcher's broom, buckthorn and much more. The animals that live here are graceful foxes, wild boars, geckos, roe deer, nimble leopard snakes, and other animals. There are three species of dolphins in the sea, as well as crabs, mussels, large mullet, rapana, a funny dog, and also scorpion fish. The fauna of this area is very rich, as is the flora.
Conditions
This territory deserves the closest and most enthusiastic attention. Here you can admire the scenery, walk, swim, look at the tracts and climb the mountains. One day is simply not enough for this. Fortunately, there is a settlement called “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. Mattresses, soft pillows and warm blankets are provided.
You can eat by sitting on a bench at the table, hiding from the sun and bad weather under the awning. There is also a special barbecue area. It takes a 25-minute walk to get from here to the store and replenish supplies. There is also a pebble beach nearby. Of course, it’s not very convenient due to the large size of the stones, but if you spread a towel, it won’t interfere with enjoying a wonderful time.
To get here from Balaklava, you need to cover 8 kilometers, and 20 kilometers from Sevastopol. You can get there along the highway connecting Yalta and Sevastopol. You can leave your car in the parking lot belonging to the local tourist center. You will need to go down on foot. In addition, you can get there by public transport.
Cape Aya is geographically located on the South Coast near Balaklava. The unusual name of the cape means “holy” and came to us from the Greek language. At the foot, if you wish, you will find several large and not very large grottoes - some in ancient times were actively and for their intended purpose used by sailors to set up working ship naval guns.
Flora and fauna
Today, directly on the territory of the reserve (both the cape and the region itself), as well as on the rocky steep slopes of the latter, completely unique Mediterranean woodlands grow. Some are listed in the well-known Red Book, others are not, but in general the flora counts around five hundred rare plant species. Among the most valuable, beautiful, and rare are Stankevich pines, small-fruited strawberries, tall junipers, and blunt-leaved pistachios. The so-called endemic pine forests of Stankevich give this corner of almost wild, pristine nature a special charm. Rare large cones, green dark prickly needles - needles “climb” up rocky slopes, reaching a height of about 300 meters, zealously clinging to even a very small crack or pothole. Cape Aya and the reserve in the New World are two areas in the region where this special pine is found.
Having visited Cape Aya, you cannot help but pay attention to the relict juniper. Its strong, large trees, twisted dense trunks up to several thousand years old, are unique and rare, so you have an almost exclusive chance to experience the beauty.
Rarely endangered animals live in the protected area near the cape. If you want to see live endemic marten, common weasel, horseshoe bats, rare leopard snakes and four-striped snakes, this is the place for you. Cape Aya is rich in typical animals, inhabitants of the South Coast (its forests, mountains). Dolphins and crabs are always found in the water area.
Reserve
Cape Aya is now protected by the state - three decades ago a closed landscape reserve was created here in order to preserve the unique natural complex. You can visit the reserve only along equipped roads, as well as ecological trails, specially organized and indicated on the map.
Don't want to waste time visiting a natural monument? In this case, you can simply admire the local beauty.
How to get to Cape Aya?
Cape Aya is located near the cities of Balaklava (about 8 km) and Sevastopol (about 20 km). You can get to it most quickly from the Yalta-Sevastopol highway - you need to get off at the "Cape Aya" stop, however, this will not be the end point, but a tourist center of the same name, but the descent down will not take you much time.
Do you like hiking trails? Then you can hit the road from Balaklava - a couple of hours and you’re there. Private skiffs constantly sail to Cape Aya from Balaklava.
The name of Cape Aya, located on the coast of the southern coast of Crimea, translated from ancient Greek means “holy”. Indeed, there is amazing virgin nature, clean air, blue water and mysterious grottoes.
Natural features
Cape Aya is located directly on the southern coast of Crimea, and is a steep ledge of the Main Range of the Crimean Mountains approaching the coast. The top of the cape is Mount Kokia-Kia, which is also called the “blue rock”. On the eastern side of the cape you will see Laspinskaya Bay and Cape Laspi, and on the western side - the Ayazma tract, which turns into a bay at the base of the Asketi and Krepostnaya mountains.
The grottoes, located at the foot of Cape Aya, were used in ancient times for firefights by sailors of the Russian Black Sea Fleet.
Flora and fauna
Mediterranean woodlands grow on the rocky slopes of the cape. There are about 500 plant species on the territory of Cape Aya, some of them are listed in the Red Book. Valuable trees such as small-fruited strawberry, Stankevich pines, tall juniper, and obtuse pistachio are common here. Stankevich pines are covered with dark green needles and large cones. This rare species of pine trees can only be found here and in the New World Nature Reserve.
The territory of Cape Aya is home to endangered species of animals - greater and lesser horseshoe bats, weasels, leopard snakes and four-striped snakes. Here you can meet deer, roe deer, wild boars and Crimean mountain foxes.
The nearby water area is home to rare species of crabs, Black Sea dolphins and Katran.
In 1982, the state reserve "Cape Aya" was founded here, the task of which is to preserve the amazing lands of this natural complex in an untouched state.
The reserve can only be accessed along ecological trails.
Entertainment for tourists:
While relaxing at Cape Aya, you can swim on a mattress, go diving, jump from a cliff, and explore the local surroundings.
How to get to Cape Aya
At the Sevastopol bus station, a minibus departs with a sign “5th kilometer” - you get to the final stop and change into minibus No. 9. If you want to walk, it will take you no more than two hours - during this time you can walk the entire road, which connects the cape and the highway. Upon arrival in Balaklava, you will see several pleasure boats that will take you to Cape Aya for 100 -150 hryvnia.
If you are interested in a more active holiday, you can go hiking to the Chernorechensky Canyon in the Baydarsky Nature Reserve.
Aya is a cape located on the southern coast of Crimea, not far from Balaklava. The name of the cape comes from the Greek word “agios” - holy.
The cape is a sheer ledge of the Main Range of the Crimean Mountains, and geographically goes to the base of Mount Kush-Kaya (or Pitchya Mountain, height 627 meters). The highest point of Cape Aya is Mount Kokia-Kia (“blue rock”) with a height of 557 meters. To the east of the cape are Laspinskaya Bay and Cape Laspi, the Batiliman tract, to the west - the Ayazma tract passes into a small bay at the base of the Krepostnaya and Asketi mountains.
At the foot of the cape there are several grottoes. Some of them were used in ancient times by sailors of the Russian Black Sea Fleet for shooting and tuning ship guns.
The Aya Cape and its rocky slopes are home to unique Mediterranean woodlands.
The flora of Cape Aya includes up to 500 plant species, many of which are listed in the Red Book of Ukraine. Among the most valuable and rare trees common in the reserve are Stankevich pines (Sudak or Pitsunda), tall juniper, small-fruited strawberry, and blunt-leaved pistachio.
The forests of the endemic Stankevich pine add amazing, incomparable charm to this corner of wild nature. These pines, covered with dark green long needles and large single cones, “climb” along the steep rocky slopes of Cape Aya, reaching heights of 300 meters above sea level, clinging to even the smallest crack or pothole in the stone. On the territory of Crimea, in the form of natural woodlands, Stankevich pine is found only in the New World Nature Reserve, and here, on Cape Aya.
Another significant representative of the green world of Cape Aya is the relict tall juniper. These are large, strong trees with dense, twisted trunks, whose age can reach up to 3-4 thousand years. On the territory of the Batiliman tract (in the eastern part of Cape Aya) there are solid specimens of tall juniper, up to 2,000 years old. There are very few juniper forests left on our planet, and almost all of them are on the verge of extinction.
The reserve is home to rare and endangered species of animals - the endemic stone marten and weasel, greater and lesser horseshoe bats (bats), leopard and four-striped snakes (snakes). In addition to them, there are also typical inhabitants of the mountain-forest Crimea: deer, roe deer, Crimean mountain foxes, as well as wild boars, introduced in the mid-twentieth century and widely spread in Crimea.
In the water area near the cape there are Black Sea dolphins: bottlenose and white-sided dolphins, the Black Sea dogfish shark, and several species of crabs.
In 1982, the state landscape reserve "Cape Aya" was founded to preserve this amazing natural complex in an untouched state.
Visiting the reserve is allowed only on public roads and ecological trails.
Directions:
Cape Aya is located 8 kilometers from Balaklava and about 20 km from Sevastopol. You can get to Cape Aya from the Yalta - Sevastopol highway. Transport must be left at the tourist base of the same name "Cape Aya", and then go down on foot.
By public transport you can get there from Sevastopol or Balaklava, by taking a bus heading towards Yalta and asking to stop at the turn to Cape Aya.
Alternatively, you can walk from Balaclava, in about 2 - 2.5 hours.
In addition, private skiffs sail from Balaklava to the capes (100-150 UAH).
Additional Information:
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