Crimean reserve

The Crimean National Park is one of the oldest specially protected natural territories in Russia. The National Park occupies the central part of the Main Range of the Crimean Mountains from Yalta in the west to Alushta in the east. On its territory there are the highest peaks of the peninsula - Roman-Kosh (1545 m A.D.), Demir-Kapu (1541), Zeytin-Kosh (1537) and others. In the mountains of the national park originate many of the most important rivers of the Crimea: Alma, Kacha, Ulu-Uzen, Avunda, Derekoika, etc. The mountains are covered with forests – oak, beech, pine, and the peaks (yale) occupy the mountain meadow steppes.

The flora of the Crimean National Park is represented by more than 2,500 species of plants and fungi, of which 44 species are listed in the Red Book of the Russian Federation and 152 species in the Red Book of the Republic of Crimea.

There are about 250 species of vertebrate animals, including noble deer, wild boar, European mouflon, European deer, ordinary badger, grey wolf. Of the birds, scientists are attracted by the black vulture and bald sip - the largest birds of prey in Europe (listed in the Red Book of the Russian Federation).

Through the territory of the national park "Crimean" passes one of the most popular excursion routes - "Crimea reserved", which follows the Romanov highway, built in 1913, the hallmark of which is the Museum of "Partisan Glory" on the cordon "Red stone".

The opening of the Museum took place on May 9, 2015 in a solemn atmosphere and was timed to the 70th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War. This event was attended by several hundred Yalta residents, guests and residents of the peninsula, veterans and participants of the Great Patriotic War, honorary guests and leaders of the national level: Deputy Prime Minister of the Government of Russia Golodets O.Y., Head of the Territorial Administration of the President of the Russian Federation in the Republic of Crimea Podolko O.E., Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Crimea Yanaki N.L., Head of the City Administration of Yalta Rostenko A.O., etc. During his speech, Podolko O.E. said: “This is a monument to the living history of the heroes of the last war – the Crimean partisans, in the ranks of which there were more than twelve thousand people.” The museum was created in a symbolic place, where every meter is watered with the blood of partisans.”

At the foot of Chatyrdag, in the central basin formed by the northern spurs of Babugan and the slopes of the Chuchel and Black mountains, a stream flows along the bottom of the gorge, generated by numerous springs. The main of them is the source of the holy unmercenaries and wonderworkers Kosma and Damian, or Savlukh-Su (in Tatar “healthy water”), with crystal clear and pleasant to the taste water. Already in our time, studies conducted by resortology have shown that in the water source, in addition to potassium, magnesium, manganese, contain lithium and rarely found in natural sources silver. Savluh Su is one of the sources of the Alma River.

There is no documentary evidence of the stay of St. Cosmas and Damian in Tauris, but according to legends, it is believed that in the last years of their lives the wonderworkers lived at the foot of Chatyrdag, at the source that still bears their names. Tradition says that long after their death, a local Tatar, who hated his wife, took her to the mountains, gouged out her eyes and left her alone, away from home. To the unfortunate woman, dying of hunger, two strangers appeared, saying that they were brothers-doctors, Cosmas and Damian, brought her to the spring and ordered to wash in it. After that, the woman regained her sight, and she, returning to her village, told about what had happened.

A sick leprosy shepherd, coming to the source, fell asleep, exhausted by the disease. In a dream he saw two people with halos over their heads. Called Cosmas and Damian, they ordered them to dive into the spring for healing. Awakening, the shepherd immediately plunged into the water, and coming out of it and feeling relief, fell asleep again. The miracle-workers came to him again, saying, You will be perfectly well today, but remember that you must come to our spring for washing the body every year on July 1. Advise your suffering brothers to do the same.

Among the icons of the Cosmodamian Church was a special shrine - the temple icon of St. John. Cosmas and Damian with particles of their relics. The very relics of the unmercenary brothers are kept in Rome, in the church in the name of St. John. Cosmas and Damian. The history of this icon is extraordinary and in many ways significant. Once Empress Maria Alexandrovna rendered Giorgi Saruf, an Arab from Damascus, financial assistance to travel to St. Petersburg for admission to the Medical and Surgical Academy. Father George Saruf, the famous priest-missionary Spiridon Saruf, had particles of the relics of St. Cosmas and Damian, which were handed to him by Bishop Macarius of Ashite, who received this shrine from Rome. Before George Saruf left for St. Petersburg, his mother blessed him by handing him particles of relics. During his studies at the Academy, George Sarouf was especially cared for by the President of the Academy, Dr. P. A. Dubovitsky, and the entire family of the President treated the young student with warmth and love. Dubovitsky’s wife, having learned about the sacred object of Saruf, asked to give her a particle, which was fulfilled. A few years later, M. A. Dubovitskaya, with the blessing of Metropolitan Isidor, handed over particles of the holy relics to the rector of the Inkerman monastery, Father Ephrem, who delivered them to Bishop Alexy of Tauride.

The healing power of Cosmodamian water is undoubted. Since ancient times, according to not only legends, but also historical data, came here "old and small, without distinction of religion and religion - Russians and Greeks, Catholics, Lutherans, Tatars, Karaites, Talmudists-Jews ..." All went to the source with faith and hope to receive healing from their ailments, both physical and mental.”

Well, it's time for us to taste some healing water. By the way, it is experimentally proven that its use helps with diseases of the kidneys and liver - this was said by doctors. According to some scientists, the local water has a special structure. Which, of course, does not explain its wonderful properties. Because the grace of God, which is evidently present in this wonderful place, can only measure one instrument, the human heart.

What's in:

• Transfer (there and back),
• Excursion service on the route, both in the bus and in the reserve,
• We'll visit the Savluh-Su spring,
• We will visit the Cosmo-Damianovo Monastery,
• Walk along the valley of the Ulu-Uzen river, trout farm
• We will visit the compound of the monastery, the temple of John of Gotha.
• The Gazebo of the Winds, or the Rose of the Winds.