🏞 Kaolin Quarry is a flooded quarry in the vicinity of the Kaolinovy settlement in the Chelyabinsk Region, where kaolin, a type of white clay, was mined.

Due to its resemblance to the famous tourist resort, the quarry was nicknamed "The Ural Bali".

The quarry was dug in 1945. Kaolin is used for industrial purposes as a raw material for the production of porcelain, ceramics, and earthenware.

By the way, the Kyshtym kaolin deposit is still considered the richest in Russia.

The quarry was flooded in 2011 when unidentified persons cut the wires powering the pump, and the water drainage stopped. In 2012, the quarry's owners stated that they planned to drain it and continue developing the deposit; to do this, they blocked the road to the quarry. Currently, the quarry remains untouched, so it's worth hurrying to visit — it's quite possible it will disappear soon.

👖 There is one caveat: swimming is prohibited — the concentration of minerals is too high, and there are chemical compounds hazardous to health.

#InterestingPlacesInRussia

❤️From Russia with love

🗻 Golden Gate

The Golden Gate rock in Crimea is one of the main local landmarks. It is located directly in the sea, in the area between the villages of Koktebel and Kurortnoye, and is known to many tourists as the Devil's Gate.

Geologists say that this mountain remnant is more correctly called a "stack" or "separated rock." Apparently, many centuries ago, a part broke off from the Karadag massif, which is a volcano. According to another version, at the dawn of the formation of the local relief, there was no sea shore here. But then the water flooded one of the peaks of Karadag. Be that as it may, it has been proven that the arch is already several million years old.

You can admire this unusual natural object in two ways. Take a tour of the nearby Karadag Nature Reserve and look at the mountain from above. Or sign up for a boat trip on the Black Sea and see the arch up close.

It is not recommended for ships to sail under it - it's dangerous. But the captains of small yachts and boats often break this rule for the delight of tourists.

They say that for your wish to come true, you need to sail under the arch and throw a coin so that it hits the rock and rings.

#InterestingPlacesOfRussia

❤️From Russia with love