Krasnyi Mak

Eski-Kermen is a cave town on a mountain near the village of Krasnyi Mak.

It was built during the early Middle Ages (V-VI centuries) by Scythians or Goths to protect Chersonesus from the Khazars. The original name is unknown, the current one is translated from Tatar as "old fortress".

Many rooms carved out of the rock massif have been preserved: the courthouse, the sentry complex, the siege well, and others. Of particular interest is the cave temple of the three horsemen with the remains of ancient frescoes.

On the nearby plateau is the Kyz-Kuli tower (X-XI centuries).

At the foot of Eski-Kermen there is a barbecue cafe, travelers are offered overnight accommodation.

The natural sphinxes of the Karalez Valley are unusual stone figures, the result of weathering of limestone on the ridge of the wooded Uzun-Tarla hill.

Some of the stone figures rise above the ridge by 8-15 meters and bear their own names: the southernmost figure of Yukle-Kai (Pregnant), further Suyuryu-Kaya (Pointed), Chuyun-Kaya, two similar flat-topped Sandik-Kaya (Chest ) and Shapka-Kaya (Hat).