Kerch Peninsula: nature and main sights

Tavrida, Tavrika - a wonderful and wonderful land! It is difficult to imagine the diversity of natural and climatic conditions that the Crimea peninsula can boast of. The Kerch Strait not only separates Europe from Asia, but also separates the Taman Peninsula from Kerch. It is the latter that will be discussed in this article.

Crimea: The Kerch Peninsula and its geographical location

The peninsula is in the extreme east of the Crimean land. It covers an area of about three thousand square kilometers and extends from west to east by almost 100 kilometers. The peninsula is washed by two seas: Black from the south and Azov from the north. With the Crimea, the Kerch Peninsula is connected by the Akmona Isthmus. It is curious that from some of its points (mainly on the hills) one can simultaneously see the waters of two seas.

The Kerch Strait separates the peninsula of the same name from Tamansky. With the opposite shore, it is connected only by a ferry crossing. The width of the strait varies between 5 and 15 kilometers. In its water area is also the oblong island of Tuzla.

Kerch Peninsula: photo and description

In terms of relief, the territory of the peninsula can be divided into two parts: the south-western (mostly flat) and the northeast (elevated and hilly). The hills can be considered a kind of visiting card of this part of the 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 a hot dry summer and a little snowy winter. There is no river with a constant watercourse, they all dry up during the warm season. Atmospheric precipitation on the peninsula is not more than 450 millimeters per year.

Kerch - the "capital" of the peninsula

On the eastern edge of the peninsula, off the coast of the same strait, the ancient Kerch rests comfortably. This city was founded in the 5th century BC, and today it is one of the three largest cities in the 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. This mountain Mitridat, the remains of the ancient Panticapaeum, the Church of St. John the Baptist, Adzhimushkay quarries, the fortress of Yeni-Kale. Once in the city, you should definitely take a walk along the embankment, decorated with unusual monuments.

It is most convenient to explore the entire Kerch peninsula from Kerch. From here you can easily go to Arshintsevo, Chokrak, to Mount Opuk or to Cape Zyuk.

Sights of the peninsula: Arshintsevo

Kamysh-Burun - this was the name of this village before. Today it bears the name "Arshintsevo". In the village itself, it is necessary to inspect the remains of the ancient city of Tiritaka. Here there is a spectacular corner tower, as well as fragments of defensive walls. The city was the southern outpost of the Bosporus kingdom.

Near the village is Arshintsevskaya spit, attracting many tourists with their clean sandy beaches.

Chokrak lake and its environs

Lake Chokrak is famous all over the world for its curative 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 naked and smeared with black mud from head to foot of people walking on the shores of the lake - a typical picture for these places.

Interesting for tourists can be Cape Zyuk. This is the extreme northern point of the Kerch Peninsula, which is located in the village of Kurortnoye. Here there is the only Old Believer church in Crimea . Also on the cape you can see the ruins of another ancient village.

The natural phenomenon of Crimea: mud volcanoes

Do you want this exotic? Then safely go to the Kerch Peninsula! It is here that there is a real natural phenomenon - 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 fighting for a long time over the problem of predicting the eruptions of the Kerch mud volcanoes. But they managed to study in detail the composition of the erupting mass. It is a mixture of dirt, oil, methane and hydrogen sulfide. All this is pushed to the earth's surface by the action of combustible gases.

It is interesting that mud volcanoes exist not only on the surface, but even on the bottom of the Azov Sea. The largest of them - Jau-Tepe - is located near the village with a specific name Vulkanovka. Scientists have recorded at least five of its abundant eruptions throughout the twentieth century.

Finally...

The Kerch Peninsula occupies the eastern outskirts of the Crimea peninsula. Here there is something to see the active tourist: ancient Kerch with Mithridat mountain, mud volcanoes, Arshintsevskaya spit, Cape Zyuk, Lake Chokrak and many other interesting places.