Rest on Cape Tarkhankut
Cape Tarkhankut is the western point of Crimea. This piece of land is cut into the Black Sea and is considered one of the most remote places on the peninsula. It attracts tourists with its lighthouse looming on the slopes of the overgrown steppe. There are strange natural attractions, stories of sunken ships and the opportunity to relax on narrow sandy beaches in the clear waters of scuba diving.
Contents of the article:
- Where is Cape Tarkhankut
- Description of Cape Tarkhankut
- History of Cape Tarkhankut
- How to get to the cape
- Sights of Cape Tarkhankut in Crimea
- Rest on Cape Tarkhankut
Where is Cape Tarkhankut
Cape Tarnankut is located on the peninsula of the same name in western Crimea, not far from Eva Patria. The cape is conventionally divided into two parts. The southeastern part is the large and small athletes’ trails and the northeastern part is the Dzhangulsky district. This region is called “Crimean Kamchatka” because it is considered the most “wild” part of Crimea. There are no large cities or rivers here, so the water along Tarkhankut is especially clean.
Closest to Cape Tarkhankut, at a distance of 6 km, is the village of Olenevka, where there is a small Tarkhankut vacation hotel , where tourists who come specifically to relax usually stay. There are other settlements nearby. The most developed infrastructure is in the village of Chernomorskoye, with modern boarding houses and restaurants. Cheaper housing, for example, rented rooms, can be found in the underwater village of Okunevka on Merina.
Description of Cape Tarkhankut
Most of the peninsula is occupied by Tarkhankut Hill, consisting of varieties of limestone. Its highest point reaches 179 m above sea level. The hills are cut by ravines – dry river beds. The depth of such depressions in some places reaches 40-50 m. The surface of the cape is covered with herbaceous vegetation, sometimes shrubs or separately growing trees.
The top of Cape Tarkhankat is very flat. It also consists mainly of limestone. The cliffs of the cape are quite low and cut by sea waves and wind. Along the entire cape there are many bays, caves and through tunnels. The cape also has sandy and men’s beaches. There is a shallow area at the bottom of the Black Sea near Cape Tarkhankut. This led to several shipwrecks.
History of Cape Tarkhankut
Archaeological finds indicate that at the end of the 3rd century of the 4th century at the beginning of the 3rd century of the 4th century, people acquired land belonging to Cape Tarkhankut. BK. Scythian burial mounds were discovered in this area. At the end of the 1st century, here, as well as along the entire coast of modern Crimea, there was an ancient colony. On the cape itself there was a settlement called Karaj, which was raided by the Cimmerians, Huns and others.
The area received its current name due to the special status it had in the 15th-18th centuries. The territory of Western Crimea belonged to the Tatar clergy and therefore was free from taxes, confirmed by “target letters” (Turkish “tarhan” – “ruler”). Later, the Tarkhan district was founded here, which was transferred for economic development to titled persons under the imperial power.
In historical times, the current village of Olenevka was called Karaj and belonged to Secretary of State Vasily Popov. The second part of the name “Kut”, which means “corner” in Ukrainian, is believed to have given the Popov serfs this place. According to the publishers of the “Guide to Crimea” Maria Sosnogorova, in the past Cape Tarkhankut was known as “Eskiforos” (Krefrov).
How to get to the cape
The nearest large city to Cape Tarkhankut – Evpatoria – is located 80 km from it. It is from here that tourists usually plan their routes. Vacationers often prefer to stay in comfortable hotels in Evpatoria and go to the cape as part of a one-day excursion. From here you can get to Cape Tarkhankut in three ways: by personal or rented car, by public transport or by boat.
By car
The road from Yevpatoria to Cape Tarkhankut takes 1. 5 hours. From the city, the Chernomorskoye Highway passes through the villages of Koloski, Vorobyovo, Porfiryevka and Veselovka, Saki district. Once in the Black Sea region, you can head to Novoivanovka and drive through Medvedevo, Gromovo, Oknevka and Krasnoselskoye to the cape. An alternative option is to drive through the village of Krasnaya Polyana to the village of Chernomorskoye, and from there to Olenevka.
By public transport
Cape Tarkhankut can be reached from Evpatoria in 3 hours 20 minutes by public transport. To do this, you need to take a bus at the Evpatoria bus station to the village of Chernomorskoye and transfer to a minibus to Olenevka. Some minibuses, on request, will take you to the village of Mayak, named after the old lighthouse, a local landmark on the slopes of Cape Tarkhankut.
Sights of Cape Tarkhankut in Crimea
Tarkhankut lighthouse
The first thing tourists see at Cape Tarkhankut is a 38-meter high lighthouse, built of white limestone. Built in 1816, it is considered the twin of the Khersones lighthouse. At that time, light was provided by a large oil lamp consisting of 15 wicks soaked in rapeseed oil. The building was served by up to 20 people (this is how the nearby village of Mayak was formed). Today the anchor of a sunken ship is visible at the lighthouse.
Ship at Cape Tarkhankut
Tarkhankut is shrouded in mystery and stories of sunken ships. From the cape you can see the dilapidated hull of the cargo ship “Ibrahim-Yakim” – the last hull of the sunken ship. In 2010, a Cambodian-flagged ship carrying 5, 500 tons of metal bound for Turkey ran aground and lost its anchor. Fifteen crew members, cargo and valuable equipment were saved, but the wreck of the ship remained at sea, attracting the attention of tourists.
Tunnels, arches and caves of Atlesha
On the southeastern side of the tip of Cape Tarkhankut there are the Bolshoi and Marie-Atresh tracts. The height of the Great Atresh rock reaches 64 meters, but the main attraction is the 40-meter arch protruding into the sea. Maly Atlesh is famous for its through tunnel, which is about 100 meters long. Nearby is the entrance to an underwater cave 150 meters long.
Rest on Cape Tarkhankut
Cape Tarkhankut is one of the best places for a relaxing holiday. Even at the height of the season there are much fewer tourists here than in the popular resorts of Crimea. Most tourists are attracted by the long beaches. Because of its clear water and white sandy beaches, the western coast, including the village of Olenevka, is known as the “Maldives of Crimea”. On the other side of the cape, next to the jungle, there is a rocky coast.
Fishing is allowed at Cape Tarkhankut. Sturgeon, mullet and other valuable fish species are found in local waters. People come here all year round to fish, including on their own boats. Equipment can also be rented. According to tourists, the catch depends on weather conditions. Sometimes there are strong waves and a lot of algae is washed ashore, which interferes with fishing. Fishing camps in Bolshoi Atlesh offer a taste of the sea.
However, what distinguishes Cape Tarkhankut from other places in Crimea is its excellent diving conditions. Unusual coral reefs, a lot of fish, sunken ships – all this makes the waters off Cape Tarkhankut a favorite place for divers. Thanks to the clear water, underwater photography competitions are held here. Tarkhankut also attracts windsurfers, kite surfers and other water sports enthusiasts.
