The Rock of Parus (Praskoveevka)

In the Krasnodar Territory at the entrance to the village of Praskoveevka there is a very original man-made monument of nature - the rock of Parus. Gelendzhik is only fifteen kilometers distant from it.

The rock, the photo of which once again proves the accuracy of its name, really has the shape of a sail of a quadrangular shape. This is a vertical sandstone reservoir that has broken away from the main rock massifs as a result of the failure. And the size of this creation of nature is impressive: the thickness is almost 25 meters, the height - more than 20.

The rock stands directly perpendicular to the sea line and is immersed in water for three-quarters.

About the origin of this miracle of nature a lot of controversy. Until the end, it is not clear whether the Rock of Sail was once part of the coastal mountain range or always stood alone in the sands in this very place. Geologists say that at one time it was part of the seabed and remained after the sand washed by soft rocks and the water level dropped.

At an altitude of almost three meters above sea level on its surface the rock of Parus has an incomprehensible origin of the hole. Local residents say that it was pierced by artillerymen during the Caucasian War, although in some memories of those times it is said that the sailors from their battleship tried to penetrate the rock more than once, but they could not do it. In favor of this version, there are numerous footprints on the stone.

A lot of legends and legends have been written about this natural monument. It is even suggested that the rock of Parus is exactly the place where Prometheus was punished. According to the ancient Greek myth, the one who gave fire to humanity was really chained to a high rock, standing alone in the sea.

It is not known how much this corresponds to reality, but the fact that in neighboring Praskoveevka there live natives of distant Greece who settled here, captivated by local beauty is a fact.

No one knows how long the rock of Sail is at this place, attracting the attention of tourists and travelers, but many who come here to look at this natural monument, try to tear off to themselves at least a small piece of memory. Therefore it is very difficult to predict how much more with such a barbaric attitude it will stand.

It is also interesting that there are three such geological formations, and all of them are located on the Black Sea coast. The second rock Sail - sister Praskoveevskaya - rises in the Crimean region, and the third - at the foot of the Swallow's Nest.

Although, in the opinion of those who saw all three, Crimean and Yalta not so unusual and beautiful as Krasnodar.

The road to the rock goes along the coast, in places it is blocked by huge boulders. Sometimes you even need to jump on slippery stones, which are in the water, so not many reach it. But those who do get, try to touch her with their hands, believing in her miraculous power to fulfill their desires.

In the early seventies of the last century, the rock of Parus was declared a state natural monument, but the approaches to it have not been developed, although this does not stop tourists, who annually come here by thousands. I must say that the shore next to the village of Praskoveevka is stunningly beautiful, there is a very blue and clean sea and picturesque surroundings.