The small village of Koktebel is located on the eastern coast of Crimea and is one of the most popular resorts. Since the beginning of the 20th century, Koktebel has gained fame as a bohemian resort, where writers, poets and artists came on vacation. Initially, they came to visit the artist and poet Maximilian Voloshin, and then a corresponding subculture was formed here.
Koktebel resort is located 20 kilometers south of Feodosia, and 34 kilometers north of Sudak. People come to Koktebel for beach holidays and entertainment. At the beginning of the 20th century, a large Nudist Beach appeared on the northern outskirts of Koktebel. The tradition of naturism in Koktebel was founded by poets and artists who visited Voloshin. However, even today, a lot of people rest on the Nudist beach of Koktebel every summer.
History of Koktebel
At the beginning of the 20th century, holidays in the Crimea became very popular in the Russian Empire. Each resort focused on its own public, and in accordance with this, the necessary infrastructure was formed there. Yalta and its surroundings became a royal and grand-princely resort. Palaces were built there. Gurzuf and Foros have become resorts for high society. Villas for rich people were built in Simeiz.
Koktebel at the beginning of the 20th century was a small village on the seashore. The nature here is deserted and arid, as in the steppe Crimea. Rich people did not come here, but the poet Maximilian Voloshin built a huge house in Koktebel and creative people rushed to visit him. For them, the absence of prying eyes of a respectable public, on the contrary, was a positive factor.
A party of the capital`s bohemians was formed here. In modern language, they can be called "informal", since the vacation of these people in Koktebel was characterized by free morals The owner of the house Maximilian Voloshin, where this party lived, called his guests "The Order of the Blockheads". They shared creative ideas here, but mostly fooled around, joked with each other, just rested, freed from the strict mores of metropolitan life.
These informals established the tradition of naturism in Koktebel. At first, outsiders who were still here were outraged that naked men and women were bathing in the sea together. For those times it was very defiant, but the tradition took root.
In addition to this beach in Koktebel, there is another famous nudist beach in Fox Bay. It is located on the opposite side of Karadag, near the village of Kurortnoye. In Fox Bay, naturism lovers live in tents. These tents are installed right on the beach, as a mountain hill begins 50 meters from the water`s edge. The length of the Fox Bay is 5 kilometers, where tents stretch in a continuous line. The beach here is covered with large pebbles.
Sights of Koktebel
Koktebel does not have a large number of natural attractions, as in other resorts on the Southern coast of Crimea. However, the only local attraction can be called unique. This is the Karadag Nature Reserve. Karadag is an extinct volcano. Its eruption occurred about 150 million years ago in the Jurassic period of the Mesozoic era. It has formed a beautiful mountain relief, but the territory of the reserve is closed for free visits. Hiking tours are conducted twice a day in the reserve.
Excursions to Mount Karadag do not begin in Koktebel , but on the opposite side of the mountain, near the Karadag Biostation in the village of Kurortnoye. There you can visit the Karadag Dolphinarium and the Karadag Museum of History and Nature. During the tour, you will climb the Karagach ridge and see the Dead City. This is the most beautiful place of the reserve, where there are many rocks similar to the figures of people and animals. At the top of the Magnetic mountain range is the Sphinx Rock (it is also called the Devil`s Finger Rock).
Ships that sail along the Karadag volcano depart from the Koktebel embankment every hour. This mountain has a very beautiful view from the sea. Traces of a volcanic eruption are visible here. During the boat tour you will see the Golden Gate. This is a huge rock towering above the sea water in the form of a gate. A large enough ship can sail through the arch. The Golden Gate of Koktebel is the same famous landmark of the Crimea as the Swallow`s Nest Castle or the Ai-Petri Rock.
In Koktebel itself, the main attraction is the Koktebel Embankment, which stretches along the sea for almost 1.5 kilometers. There are many restaurants and hotels here. On the embankment is the House of Maximilian Voloshin, to whom creative people came to visit. Now a museum is open in it. To the north of the village, a small mountain Kuchuk-Janyshar rises above Koktebel. Poet Maximilian Voloshin is buried on its top. Cape Chameleon is located 2.5 kilometers north of Koktebel. It consists of clay, which changes its color, depending on the lighting.
