Karaul-Oba

Mount Karaul-Oba stands on the southern coast of Crimea, in the Sudak municipal district, between the village of Novy Svet and the village of Veseloye, within the Novy Svet botanical reserve. The mountain rises 341.9 meters, and its southern spur forms Cape Chiken.

Nature

Karaul-Oba is an ancient Jurassic-period coral reef built of hard limestone of organic origin. Its conical summit gives way to a plateau-like massif with rock walls. Vegetation on the mountain and its slopes is of the Mediterranean type: juniper and pine woods typical of this stretch of the coast.

History

In antiquity an observation post stood on the summit, from which watchers tracked approaching enemy ships. Tauri, Greeks and Genoese all left their mark on the mountain's history. On the plateau of the massif's western slope the remains of the Bosporan fortress of Kutlak survive. Among the rocks an ancient stone path can be seen — a staircase of more than 200 steps, presumably cut by the Tauri.

Today Karaul-Oba is a comprehensive nature monument of national significance. Since October 2015 the archaeological complex on the mountain has held the status of a federal cultural heritage site.

Legends

Several legends are tied to the mountain. According to one, a defender of Sudak gave his life to warn the town's residents of an approaching attack. Another tells of untold treasure hidden by Genoese merchants in the mountain's caves. It is also said that the Tauri used the local stone labyrinths and caves to hide from enemies during raids, and that in places known as "Adam's Bed" and "Eve's Bed" they sheltered women and children during wartime.

Getting there

A hiking route to Karaul-Oba can start in the village of Veseloye and end in Novy Svet, or be walked the other way; the linear route is more than 3 kilometers long. Along the way hikers pass through the Valley of Hell and the Valley of Paradise, climb to Peak Kosmos at 245 meters, and descend to Tsarsky Beach. A viewpoint on the summit is known as "Golitsyn's Chair." From Tsarsky Beach one can walk to Novy Svet through the scenic Juniper Grove.