Lake Chokrak (healing mud). Lake Chokrak (Crimea) and its therapeutic mud

A sea of ​​​​pleasures and interesting things has prepared for the tourist the wonderful Chokrak peninsula, its healing mud attracts thousands of tourists every year. Here, the most unpleasant ailments have been successfully cured for more than one hundred years.

Lake Chokrak in Crimea: geographical characteristics

Perhaps it is the most mysterious, mysterious and unexpectedly interesting area in the Crimea. Nevertheless, most tourists bypass it, preferring the more popular resorts of the South Coast.

Lake Chokrak is often called the generous gift of the planet Earth. All thanks to its unique healing factors, which include the most valuable mud and mineral springs.

The total area of ​​Lake Chokrak is almost 9 square kilometers. However, the most great depth it does not exceed 1.5 meters. The shores of the lake are rocky, deserted and very picturesque. The local landscapes would have become a wonderful backdrop for some kind of dystopian, surrealistic film.

The shores of Chokrak are covered exclusively with herbaceous vegetation. Oregano, thyme, wormwood, willow-herb and other herbs grow here. Lake Chokrak is located in close proximity to Sea of ​​Azov, it is separated from its water area by a narrow sand barrier.

How to get to the lake?

The object is located in the eastern part. The city of Kerch is located 18 kilometers away. Lake Chokrak is located near the village with the corresponding name - Kurortnoye (Leninsky district).

You can get here both by public transport (buses depart from the Kerch bus station every 30-40 minutes), and by your own car. However, it is worth warning: the road to Kurortny is far from the most best quality. After the village of Voikovo, the hard surface disappears altogether, so you have to drive through dust and pits with minimum speed. As a result, a distance of 20 kilometers is overcome in an hour!

Chokrak - a world-class resort

Lake Chokrak in Crimea is a famous balneological resort. Local mud began to be used by the ancient Greeks in the first century BC. They actively exported this healing resource to Europe. The very word "chokrak" can be translated as water saturated with hydrogen sulfide, there is also enough here: they come out both along the shores of the lake and on its bottom.

The main wealth of Chokrak is its therapeutic mud. They successfully treat arthritis, radiculitis, as well as various gynecological diseases. And after taking mud baths, you can soak up the neighboring sandy beaches and swim in the warm Sea of ​​Azov. Fishing enthusiasts will also find joy in Chokrak: goby and other fish are perfectly caught here.

Professor S. Albov devoted a lot of time and effort to studying the resort. According to him, Lake Chokrak is much more than Matsesta and Saki put together. The main thing healing factor resort we will talk Further.

Therapeutic mud of Lake Chokrak

Lake Chokrak is rightly considered one of the most valuable deposits of therapeutic mud on the planet. In addition, local mud is characterized by great environmental cleanliness. Its composition contains silt, brine and various trace elements that fall into it from numerous mineral springs. Chokrak mud is also distinguished by a rather high content of colloids (3.6%).

On the basis of the mud deposits of Lake Chokrak, several medical institutions operate today. Among them, the largest is the Feodosia sanatorium "Voskhod".

Chokraka mud, unique in composition and properties, is successfully used to treat diseases (including various inflammatory processes in the genital organs), spinal diseases, digestive system ailments, disorders of the peripheral nervous system, and so on. However, in some cases, mud therapy is strictly contraindicated. These include pregnancy, angina pectoris, arrhythmia, asthma, active tuberculosis, diabetes mellitus, cirrhosis of the liver and some other diseases. Before going to Chokrak, it is necessary to consult a doctor.

Doctors recommend taking a full course of mud therapy, which consists of 10-12 procedures. Each of them should not last longer than 15 minutes. After the procedure, all dirt should be washed off the body. It is worth noting that in the first days, patients on Chokrak often experience side effects of treatment: fever, slight numbness of the fingers, as well as general weakness and fatigue. However, after a few days, all unpleasant symptoms usually disappear.

Mud from the Chokrak deposit can also be used for cosmetic purposes. Experienced recreants are also advised to collect local mineral salt on Chokrak. Gargling with its solution helps well with sore throat.

Surroundings of Chokrak Lake

Rest on Lake Chokrak is not limited to balneological procedures. In between sessions of mud therapy, you can visit many interesting objects located in the vicinity of Chokrak.

First of all, this is Cape Zyuk in the village of Kurortnoye, which is famous for its long line of beautiful beaches and cozy coves. south of the lake, in the Kerch steppes, is the famous Valley of Mud Volcanoes. These are small (up to 1.5 meters in height) mounds, periodically spewing mud to the surface. see these natural phenomena very interesting with my own eyes!

It is low (175 meters above sea level), but very picturesque, rising above the spacious steppe 10 kilometers from Chokrak. The mountain is pronounced in relief and has a beautiful rocky peak. The slopes of the Crimean Ararat are covered with shrubs and fragrant herbs.

Conclusion

Lake Chokrak is a truly amazing place Crimean nature and an invaluable recreational facility. The resort is located on the Kerch Peninsula, twenty kilometers from Kerch. The main wealth of Chokrak is the local therapeutic mud, which is effectively used to treat many diseases.

One can rightfully call Lake Chokrak - the most mineralized lake in Crimea. The steppe itself is picturesque, but harsh place. Especially in the spring when the feather grass is in bloom. Any breath of wind creates white gentle waves on the surface of the steppe. In these places, where the lake is located, the steppe is hilly, with bizarre stone steles and ledges. Lake Chokrak is located just 12 km from Kerch, three kilometers to the west (not to be confused with Kurortny in the vicinity of Kara-Dag) and 35 km from. Salt Lake Chokrak lies just behind the village and is separated from the sea by a narrow sandy dam, with a road passing through it. The access to the lake is on a dirt road, which still leaves much to be desired, but it is worth visiting for many reasons. Chokrak - unusual lake. Translated from Turkic, Chokrak means "Source". Namely, the source of health, youth and beauty. Why? This is a deposit of natural therapeutic mud, which, according to scientists, treats such diseases as: rheumatism, arthrosis, osteochondrosis, neuritis, sciatica, dermatitis, psoriasis, eczema, pharyngitis, tonsillitis, chronic rhinitis and infertility. In addition, the peculiarity of the lake is that in the process of formation of mud, along with brine and salt, they also take an active part mud volcanoes and hydrogen sulfide sources underground mineral waters. The width of the lake is about 3-4 kilometers. The perimeter is about 16 km. The depth is small - only 1.4m. The reserves of the most valuable Chokrak mud are estimated at 4,600 thousand cubic meters. The healing properties of this lake have been known since ancient times. Back in the days when it was called and was the capital of the Bosporan kingdom. Exist historical facts the fact that the Bosporan king Mithridates VI was treated for pain in the joints with Chokraksky mud. This was back in 66 BC. And later in historical documents there are references to the miraculous mud of Lake Chokrak. There is a version that the wounded wars of Alexander the Great were treated here, and in the Middle Ages, the Crimean khans used the mud of the lake to increase male power before visiting their harems. In the historical archive of Feodosia, the calculation of the expenses of the Byzantine merchant-slave trader has been preserved. It talks about the amount he spent on the purchase of Chokrak mud and its delivery from the lake to Kafa (Feodosia). Kafa was the largest slave market at the time. Captured girls and women from all over were brought here. And, it happened, the way to Kafu was long and exhausting. Experiencing the difficulties of the road, women lost their attractiveness and health. But perspicacious merchants brought their "live" goods to the shores of Lake Chokrak. And within a few weeks, the captives were treated with mud in order to restore the “presentation”. At the end of the 19th century, a private mud bath was built here, where many diseases were successfully treated. But in our time, there is not a single balneological institution on the lake itself. Perhaps in the future special mud baths will be built, but for now, from spring to autumn, people come here who have heard about the healing properties of this salt lake. Large tent cities are scattered on the dam separating the lake and the sea. In the village of Kurortnoye, you can also rent housing for every taste. So do not be surprised when, having arrived at the lake, you will see a lot of black people smeared with mud. Better not miss this chance yourself!

Photo

Azov and Lake Chokrak View of Chokrak Panorama of Lake Chokrak mud lake Chokrak
Therapeutic mud Deposits of therapeutic mud Remains of the salt mine Salt
Salt on dry areas Chokrakskaya bay-hole Healing lake Chokrak Chokrak mud
Medicinal mud is mined here Virgin steppe Steppe and Chokrak South part lakes

Chokrak lake is salt Lake in the east of Crimea. It is located 16 kilometers from Kerch, near the village of Kurortnoye. The basin of the lake is oval and maximum depth 1.3 m, with an area of ​​​​8.5 square meters. km.

Rest in Kurortnoye is impossible to imagine without a visit to Lake Chokrak. Tourists come here not only to improve their health, but also for the breathtaking views that can be observed here.

For several months a year, the lake has an incredible color - bright pink water fills the pit. Why does water change its color? The fact is that special halobacteria and unicellular algae live in salt water, which turn red during a hot period of time.

Rest in the Leninsky district will bring you such emotions that you will not experience anywhere else!

Every year, Chokrak attracts crowds of tourists who want to improve their health with healing mud, which has been formed at the bottom of the lake for many centuries. Her medicinal properties were known

people already in the 1st century AD. e. History says that even the famous king Mithridates used mud to relieve pain in the joints, and the Crimean Tatar warriors dried it and carried it with them in bags to heal wounds received in battles. In ancient times, it was supplied to Greece and the countries of Asia, bringing considerable fame to the priests and healers who used it.

The healing properties of Chokrak mud are due to the unique combination of several natural factors. The lake is fed by underground hydrogen sulfide sources, as well as the waters of the Sea of ​​Azov, which, passing through the sandy barrier, are filtered and enter the lake purified. Therefore, the waters of the lake are saturated with hydrogen sulfide and salts. hydrogen sulfide also saturate the active mud volcanoes for which Kerch Peninsula. Several of them are at the bottom of Chokrak. The remains of living organisms are also deposited there. After death, they sink to the bottom of the lake and rot, while releasing special substances that can be attributed to biological stimulants. When interacting with a living organism during mud treatment procedures, they are absorbed into the skin and increase the vitality of the body, stimulate metabolic processes. In addition, valuable trace elements such as ammonia, iodine, hydrogen sulfide, essential minerals and even vitamins penetrate the body. That is why this region is so attractive for family holidays on the Sea of ​​Azov in the Crimea. When choosing a vacation in the Crimea with a sandy beach, opt for the Kurortnoye village, where you can not only enjoy beach holiday and get well.

Structurally, the lake can be divided into several layers: the first is gray healing silt, then there is a layer of mud, also useful, but less effective, and all this is preserved with a layer of brine - a concentrated saline solution.
Chokrak mud is used to treat gynecological diseases (up to infertility), diseases of the musculoskeletal system (sciatica, arthritis, etc.), cardiovascular system, gastrointestinal tract, and even to stabilize the nervous system. The highly mineralized mud of Chokrak promotes rapid healing of wounds, improves breathing, increases the vitality of the body, and strengthens the immune system. Full list The positive effects of Chokrak mud were compiled by specialists from the Odessa Institute of Medical Rehabilitation.

"Chokrak" in translation from Tatar means "spring". This name is justified, because near the lake there are mineral springs. drinking water, which are saturated with trace elements and are very useful for the body. According to the chemical composition, these are carbonate-sodium waters.

Since 2011 Chokrak Lake and the adjacent territory of 1000 hectares have been under protection. The hydrological reserve "Lake Chokrak" was founded here, designed to protect the unique ecosystem of the lake from plunder. The use of natural balneological resources is allowed only for recreational and therapeutic purposes.

Received from the Crimean Tatar word "spring". This reservoir is a storehouse of useful substances, and also truly unique place throughout the whole of Europe. In case you haven't visited this area yet, you should know that there are a number of good reasons to visit it.

Lake fame

Chokrak is famous for the healing properties of its mud, which is used to treat many diseases. The reservoir is located near the village of Kurortnoye, which is about 20 km from Kerch. Speaking of sizes healing lake Chokrak, it should be noted that its area is approximately 9 square meters. km, while the depth is no more than 1.5 m. At the very bottom of the reservoir, as well as near its shore (from the east), there are a number of hydrogen sulfide sources. In addition, there is a well with crystal clean water. The barrier between the lake and the Sea of ​​Azov is only a mound of sand and shells.

Healing mud

The lake is valued due to the presence of hydrogen sulfide waters in it. Lake Chokrak in Crimea is famous for the presence of mud, which contains healing properties known since ancient times. For the first time, people started talking about the “magic” reservoir in the 1st century BC. e. In those times healing mud were known not only among the locals. Similar sources were actively used in Greece and Asian countries. As the data of modern scientific works show, the mud of the lake really has miraculous properties and can cure a person from many ailments.

Lake Chokrak in Crimea has an excellent location. About a few minutes walk from the reservoir is the Sea of ​​\u200b\u200bAzov. The benefits of therapeutic mud are so great that many sanatoriums use them to improve their patients. People with health problems seek to get to this source, as numerous reviews speak of the incredible effect of such treatment. This reservoir can be called one of the highest quality places of accumulation of therapeutic mud.

What diseases does mud fight?

The medical use of the mud of Lake Chokrak (Crimea) is effective in the fight against various gynecological ailments, disorders of the musculoskeletal system, as well as skin diseases. It also finds its application in cosmetology - for skin rejuvenation, for example. Mud also has a good effect in diseases of the peripheral and central nervous system, organs gastrointestinal tract, urological disorders in the stronger sex, problems with the ears, throat or nose.

Today, on the basis of the mud of Lake Chokrak, a huge number of various cosmetic and medicines which are popular in many countries. Note that it is not necessary to apply it in pure form to the affected area. The composition of the healing mixture contains salt brine, silt, as well as hydrogen sulfide, various trace elements and useful substances. Perhaps, main characteristic therapeutic mud is that not only mineral springs take part in its formation, but also mud volcanoes, which are located in coastal zones and at the bottom of the pond.

The composition of the reservoir

To speak exactly about the "chemistry" of Lake Chokrak in the Crimea on this moment specialists are not accepted. Nevertheless, it is known that no substances unsafe for health were found there. The composition of the mud is a miraculous set of natural substances with powerful healing properties. It is believed that to date, medicine has not yet been able to compile full list unique effects of this reservoir - most likely, there are many more of them than it is established. notice, that locals they use salt from Lake Chokrak and at the same time do not encounter dental diseases and disorders in the thyroid gland.

Rest

Lake Chokrak is perfect place for tourism, including family. Here you can not only relax your body and soul, but also improve your health. However, this magical place is not well known. It is difficult to find any large medical institution aimed at receiving patients here. However, in summer you can see a large number of people deliberately soiled from head to toe, who learned about the healing properties of local mud and decided to verify them on own experience. It can be both local residents and visitors living in the neighborhood in tents.

If you decide to travel to Lake Chokrak, keep in mind that you can get to it from the bus station, where you should take shuttle bus or a minibus. If you have your own vehicle, you can come to the reservoir on your own. Finding the way is not difficult. In this case, you need to make your way through the village of Voikovo. However, you need to prepare for the fact that there is no “civilized” road directly behind this village. Here the asphalt ends, so you have to go more slowly.

In addition to miraculous mud, on the lake you can find many beautiful wild bays and beautiful sandy beaches. Concerning cultural recreation, then even in this quiet place it is provided for you. There are many attractions here, including historical monuments. It is also known that in this place From time to time, excavations of ancient settlements take place. And about a couple of decades ago, the local bays served for the rest of the highest command of the army (in connection with this, the name appeared - General's bays). As for the present, these bays are accessible to anyone.

The use of mud from Lake Chokrak (Crimea) will help get rid of numerous health problems and strengthen your immune system. This natural source health is a must visit if you are planning a vacation on the peninsula.

Healing Lake Chokrak or Chokrak is a unique body of water that attracts thousands of tourists to the Kerch Peninsula every year. The secret of such popularity lies in its therapeutic mud, for which people come here in need of treatment of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems, gynecological, urological and skin diseases.

There are a lot of salt lakes in Crimea, but rest near Lake Chokrak is gaining the most advantages. It is in ecological clean place, close to amazing natural attractions, a couple of minutes walk from gorgeous beach bays of the Marine Corps. There are no industries in the district, and the nearest and only village - Kurortnoye (Mama Russkaya), has hardly 200 people. Pond borders:

• in the east with the natural park "Karalar steppe", the highlight of which is incomparable;
• in the west, beyond Kurortny, another reserve begins - the Osovinskaya Steppe with its famous ones.

The reservoir itself, which occupies more than 1000 hectares, and the adjacent catchment area are included in the Chokrak Lake hydrological reserve. It is fed by water from the Sea of ​​Azov, springs and streams, which in spring flow down the beams from the nearby hills.

Therapeutic mud of Lake Chokrak

The special properties of the bottom silt of this reservoir are due to three main factors. First, firth origin. That is, it was once sea ​​bay, which eventually separated from the sea sandbar, and as a result of evaporation, its waters turned into brine - a strong saline solution. Secondly, there are hydrogen sulfide sources at the bottom of the reservoir, which bring from the underground depths not only hydrogen sulfide, but also other minerals. Thirdly, bacteria that produce carotenoids develop in the water, the very ones that give many Crimean lakes pink hues. True, Chokrak is never as bright as, but pale pink, or even pale lilac, easily!

The healing properties of the mud of Lake Chokrak were known as early as the time of the Bosporan kingdom, and there was a temple on the shore. Later, in the Middle Ages, Chokrak mud was taken to Kafa () - to treat slaves before selling. When the Crimea went to Russia, they didn’t forget about it either, although the first mud bath was built only at the end of the 19th century.

After the revolution, not only were they treated here, but they also mined salt, which is reminiscent of the numerous rows of wooden stakes. During the war years, German officers were treated here. The Nazis, leaving the peninsula, destroyed the hospital. After the Second World War, the authorities of the USSR never got around to Chokrak, and after its collapse, no one took up the construction of hotels / shalmans and other wild post-perestroika infrastructure, from which other places in Crimea suffered a lot. Therefore, now anyone can come and experience the healing effect of the mud of the ecologically clean Lake Chokrak.

Before going to Chokrak Lake for mud therapy, be sure to consult your doctor, because mud is a potent remedy that can cause weakness, palpitations, and allergic reactions. If you are a healthy person and just decide to please yourself new procedure, still do not forget - dirt on the body can be kept for no more than 15 minutes, then it should be washed off. Fortunately, the sea is excellent sandy beach Very close.

How to get to Lake Chokrak in Crimea

Coordinates: 45°27′32″ s. sh. 36°17′56″ E d.

If you go by car, and the navigator shows the way to Lake Chokrak from the Kerch highway directly, in no case agree. All these country roads through Bagerovo are almost impassable. Set the resort on the navigator ( Leninsky district). The road goes from through Voikovo to Kurortnoye, and from it another couple of kilometers along bad road and you are there. Here is an article about a trip to those parts, nearby attractions, roads, prices:

If you decide to go by car from the side of the Kazantip Bay, then it is quite possible to drive through the Karalar steppe along the sea. Even a sedan will pass, but the roads are disgusting.

Those wishing to get to Lake Chokrak public transport, must buy a ticket at the Kerch bus station to Kurortny bus number 69. In summer, he goes 4 times a day there and 4 times back. From the stop you have to walk about 2 km on foot.

Where to rent a holiday home near Lake Chokrak

For those who want to improve their health, there are two real options:

1. Rent a house in the village Kurortnoye on the shore of the Marine Corps Bay. Despite the unsightly appearance of the village itself, renting a room with all amenities is not a problem here. On average, the price will be 600-800 rubles per person.
2. Live as savages tent city, which stretches from Kurortny to Chokrak itself and along the spit separating the lake and the sea. Tents are set up under the trees of the silver sucker. Fresh water not there (in the village it is imported).