The main attraction of the city of Belogorsk is the White Rock. The height of its steep slope exceeds 100 meters, and the height above sea level is 325 meters. It is formed by white cretaceous rocks and yellow limestones, that is why it has such a bright color. There are many rocky formations around the White Rock. There are hiking and equestrian routes among of them.
The White Rock is located far from the Crimean Mountains in the middle of the steppe Crimea. In the Turkic language, it is called Ak-Kaya. In the process of weathering and erosion, as well as permanent scree, absolutely sheer rock slopes, similar to American prairies, were formed. Poppies bloom at the foot of the White Rock in spring.
Many films about the Wild West were shot in the vicinity of the White Rock. These places are really similar to the American Monument Valley. Sheer cliffs create unique landscapes. There are many hiking trails here, but the steppe nature is best suited for horseback riding. In the vicinity of Belogorsk, near the White Rock, there are equestrian clubs that offer equestrian excursions.
At the top of the White Rock, archaeologists found a settlement of the Scythian era, and in numerous caves and grottoes around the White Rock during excavations they found evidence of ancient people`s sites. Some of these sites belong to the Paleolithic era.
The area north of the White Rock is called Red Balka. You can enter the upper plateau of the White Rock only from here. Here you will see the ruins of the ancient Scythian fortress Ak-Kaya, as well as the Kok-Koba Grotto. This is a grotto with a giant stone canopy, which is supported by two natural columns. There is a water source inside the grotto, which has washed a gigantic space in the thickness of the chalk rock.
Two holes can be seen in the sheer slope of the White Rock. One of them is called the Uch-Koba Cave. It is located under the very "ceiling" of the rock. You need to climb a steep slope to it, but people with climbing skills will not find it difficult. In Scythian times, holes were made in the rock, which help to get into the cave. Archaeologists believe that the Scythians used it for living. Petroglyphs of the Scythian era have been found on the walls of the Uch-Koba cave.
The second cave is located at an altitude of 50 meters in the steep slope of the cliff. It is called the Golden Hole Cave (Altyn-Teshik). There is a legend that this cave has secret passages several kilometers long and treasures are stored in them. Archaeologists and speleologists explored this cave, but found nothing.
When the power of the Crimean Khanate was established over Crimea, with its capital in Bakhchisarai, Karasubazar became one of the largest slave markets of the steppe Crimea. Prisoners who could not collect ransom and were not bought as slaves were executed on the White Rock. Kiev Hetman Bogdan Khmelnitsky was captured by local merchants in 1620. They showed him how to throw prisoners off a cliff, demanding to collect ransom faster.
During the wars of Russia and Turkey for the Crimea, in 1777, a military corps under the command of Alexander Suvorov was sent here. He set up camp at the White Rock, and his headquarters was located near the Suvorov oak. Here he negotiated with the envoy of the Turkish Sultan. A few years later, on the top of the White Rock on July 10, 1783, the Crimean nobility took the oath of allegiance to the Russian Empress during the entry of Crimea into Russia. Prince Grigory Potemkin took the oath from Russia.
