Ayu-Dag

Ayu-Dag (Crimean Tatar: Ayuv Dağ, Russian: Аю-Даг, Ukrainian: Аю-Даг, Greek: Αγια (Aya - "Holy"[1])) is a summit of Crimea. It is also known under the Russified name Medved'-gora (Bear mountain) (Russian: Медведь-гора, Ukrainian: Ведмідь-гора). The summit is located 16 km north-east from Yalta between the towns of Gurzuf and Partenit.

Ayu-Dag
Ayu-Dag. View from Artek's beach
Highest point
Elevation572 m (1,877 ft)
Coordinates44°33′N 34°20′E 
Geography
LocationCrimea
Parent rangeCrimean Mountains

Its Ancient Greek name was Κριοῦ μέτωπον (Kriou Metopon) meaning Ram's Brow.[2] The Slavic language variants of the mountain's name are translations from the Crimean Tatar name and mean Bear Mountain ("bear"-медведь in Russian, ведмідь in Ukrainian, ayuv in Crimean Tatar; "mountain"-гора in Russian and Ukrainian, dağ in Crimean Tatar).

The mountain is a laccolith. Today its territory is a Nature reserve (5.5 km2). There is a pioneer children's camp Artek near Ayu-Dag which is well known internationally. The eastern slopes of Ayu-Dag lead to an ancient settlement Partenit.

Remains of an early-medieval settlement and a number of churches were discovered here. In the 9th-10th centuries it was a well-known seaport, bound with cities of the Byzantine Empire. The western slopes lead to Artek.

References
  1. Grinevetsky, Sergei R., et al. “The Black Sea Encyclopedia.” Springer, (2014), p. 63
  2. Strabo, Geography, Book VII.4.3, X.4.2,5.
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