Cretaceous rocks of Bilokuzminovka (Rock-like buckling of the upper chalk), Kramatorsk

Geology
Bilokuzmynivka Cretaceous deposits were formed about 90 million years ago, when in the territory of the future Donetsk region there was the Ancient Sea. In this sea there were microscopic animals with a limestone skeleton. For hundreds of thousands years, their remains have been gathering at the bottom of this sea. Of these, chalk clusters have formed. Larger animals - ammonites - also took part in the formation of the Cretaceous. Imprints of their shells can sometimes be seen in the fragments of chalk. The chalk from which the rock in Bilokuzmynivka is formed is riddled with flint stripes. It is believed that it also appeared due to the activity of ancient animals.

History
In Paleolithic times, ancient people lived near a rock, extracted flint from it, and took water in the Bilenka river, which flows nearby. A flint processing workshop were found on the bank of Bilenka river in the 1960s. Later, excavations were carried out

The rock was used as a Cossack observation post in the sixteenth century and by the army during World War II. In 1972, the rock was declared a natural monument of local importance, and in 2004 - included in the Regional Landscape Park "Kramatorskyi". Caves and grottoes have been cut down at the bottom of the rock. In one of them, until 1943, an Orthodox hermit, Stepan Bosyi, lived. He really did not wear shoes at any time of the year. In his cell, the hermit cut down from the chalk everything necessary for life - a sunbed, a niche for icons, a window. Unfortunately, he was tragically died during the war.

Rock
The height of the cliff is 25 m. There is a narrow high butte, called the Sword or Sail. To the east of the cliff is a long ridge of low chalk hills.

Recreation
A trip to the rock by itself implies a certain level of activity, although it is only 500 meters from the village - to climb to a height of 25 meters is actually to go to a nine-storey building without stairs and railing. To come to Bilokuzmynivka and not to visit the top of the rock means not to see the best views.

Due to the successful location on the rocks of Bilokuzmynivka, paragliders and rock climbers train. Take a trip with familiar climbers or join a ready-made group - the impression is especially vivid when you climb the fragile Cretaceous rock under the hot steppe sun.

The tent area has a pond near the rock. There are no sources near the resting places, but water can be collected in a column in the village of Bilokuzmynivka (there are several along the road). You will most likely not be alone on the weekend and the neighbors may be very different.

Take a walk near the rock at dawn and sunset, and enjoy the moonlit night. No photos will convey the tart steppe odor of sun-dried herbs and warm chalk. The feeling of the endless sun and incredible sky, so blue that it seems - dive and swim - comes only here when you lie on top of a rock and dissolve in the steppe air.

Flora and fauna
On the Cretaceous rocks formed a unique community of plants. A considerable part of them is included in the Red Book of Ukraine. These plants have adapted to dry and fertile chalk and can only grow here. Apart from Bilokuzmynivka, there are only 4 protected areas with such vegetation in Ukraine. The islands of the steppe vegetation with feather grass and wild poppies are preserved near the rocks.

Near the Cretaceous rock are storks, bats, and several species of rodents. There are snakes, lizards, turtles. Detailed information and photos of plants and animals of the park "Kramatorskyi" can be found on their site.

How to get there?

By public transport:
Bus # 29 from the Old City (Kramatorsk, bus station 300 m from the train station). The bus runs once every 2 hours. To go to Bilokuzmynivka stop. From the bus stop to the rocks about 500 m to the north. Focus on our coordinates or just ask the local for directions.

By car:
From Kramatorsk down Chasoviarska Street through the village of Semenivka to Bilokuzmynivka. In Bilokuzmynivka - to the dam, which is near the rock.
From Kramatorsk you can reach by bike (15-20 km depending on the route) or even walk if you have a tendency to take such long walks.

 

Translated by: Roman Zubritsky