Cape Fiolent Nature Reserve
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area)
Map showing the location of Cape Fiolent Nature Reserve
Map showing the location of Cape Fiolent Nature Reserve
Map showing the location of Cape Fiolent Nature Reserve
Map showing the location of Cape Fiolent Nature Reserve
Map showing the location of Cape Fiolent Nature Reserve
Map showing the location of Cape Fiolent Nature Reserve
Nearest citySevastopol
Coordinates44°29′55″N 33°29′20″E / 44.49861°N 33.48889°E / 44.49861; 33.48889
Area37.1 ha (0.371 km2)
Established20 August 1996

Cape Fiolent (Crimean Tatar: Felenk Burun; Ukrainian: Фіолент; Russian: Фиолент; Latin: Parthenium), also historically called Cape Fiolente,[1][2] is a cape and nature reserve (zakaznik) located in southern Sevastopol, a city within Crimea that is internationally recognised as part of Ukraine but currently occupied by Russia since 2014.

Description

Made up of volcanic rock, Cape Fiolent was formed more than 150 million years ago from volcanic eruptions. Various minerals can be found in the Cape's rock.[3]

Cape Fiolent has been noted for its beauty. In particular are its rock formations and picturesque, quiet beaches. Of particular significance is the Jasper Beach[3] and the 891-step staircase descending from the Cape to the beach. The Cape is also noted for the Saint George monastery, a Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) monastery, and the Rock of the Holy Apparition.[4]

History

During Roman times, Cape Fiolent was known under the name of Parthenium, in connection to Greek mythology. According to Greek mythology, Iphigenia was taken to an area in southern Crimea.[3]

According to local legend, in 891 C.E., Byzantine sailors passing by Cape Fiolent encountered stormy seas and were saved by an apparition of Saint George appearing on what is now known as the Rock of the Holy Apparition. After the storm passed, the sailors discovered an icon and founded the Saint George monastery, additionally placing a cross on the Rock of the Holy Apparition. During the Middle Ages, Cape Fiolent was known as Saint George, after the monastery. The monastery was closed by the government of the Soviet Union, but later revived.[3]

The name of Cape Fiolent descends from the Genoese colonisation of Crimea, when the cape was referred to as "violent" (Italian: violento) for its turbulent waves.[3] In the 1800s, Joseph Needham painted multiple images of Cape Fiolent.[1][2]

During the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Russian military bases on Cape Fiolent were attacked by Ukrainian forces.[5]

References

  1. 1 2 "The Monastery of St. George and Cape Fiolente. Looking West". SMU Libraries. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
  2. 1 2 "A General View of the Coast Extending from Cape Fiolente to Sebastopol". SMU Libraries. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "Cape Fiolent". Discover Ukraine. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
  4. ↑ "St.George Monastery at Cape Fiolent". Geomerid. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
  5. ↑ "У Криму біля Нижньогірського пролунали вибухи, повідомляють про "приліт" (відео)" [Explosions rang out near Nizhnyohirskyi in Crimea, reports of "arrival" (video)]. RBC-Ukraine (in Ukrainian). 5 January 2023. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
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