Demirci yayla
{{short description|Massif and nature reserve in Crimea}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2023}}
{{Infobox protected area
| name = Demirci yayla
| alt_name = {{plainlist|
- Демерджі-яйла (Ukrainian)
}}
| iucn_category = IV
| photo = Украина,_Крым,_вид_с_Демерджи_на_Бабуган_и_Чатыр-Даг_(панорама)_02.jpg
| photo_caption = View from Demirci yayla to Chatyr-Dag, the Valley of Ghosts, and Babugan yayla
| map = Crimea#Ukraine
| relief = yes
| coordinates = {{coord|44|45|00|n|34|24|23|e|region:UA}}
| area = {{convert|2076|ha|km2|abbr=on}}
| established = 30 March 1981
| nearest_city = Alushta
}}
Demirci yayla ({{langx|uk|Демерджі-яйла}}; {{langx|ru|Демерджи́-яйла́|translit=Demerdzhi-yayla}}) is a massif and regional nature reserve (zakaznik) located in Crimea, a region internationally recognised as part of Ukraine but under Russian control since 2014. The yayla is best known for the Valley of Ghosts, a rock-filled valley situated in the massif.
Description
Situated in the {{ill|Central Range (Crimean Mountains)|lt=Central Range|uk|Головне пасмо Кримських гір}} of the Crimean Mountains, Demirci yayla is made up of two parts: {{ill|North Demirci|uk|Північна Демерджі}} and {{ill|South Demirci|uk|Південна Демерджі}}. The height of the former stretches up to {{convert|1239|m|ft|abbr=on}}, and the latter {{convert|1356|m|ft|abbr=on}}. The yayla is composed of components dating back to the Late Jurassic period. There are a total of 16 caves in Demirci yayla, many of which are named after Russian and Soviet biologists such as Georgy Fedorovich Morozov, Evgenii Wulff, and Georgy Vysotsky. The area is home to more than 420 varieties of flora, as well as Quercus pubescens, Lithocarpus, Carpinus betulus, Fagus sylvatica, and Pinus nigra.{{Cite web |last=Yena |first=V. G. |last2=Yena |first2=A. V. |title=Демерджі-Яйла |trans-title=Demirci yayla |url=https://esu.com.ua/search_articles.php?id=21415 |access-date=17 February 2023 |website=Encyclopedia of Modern Ukraine |language=uk}}
Demirci yayla's most significant natural landmarks are the {{ill|Kuchuk-Lambat stone chaos|uk|Кучук-Ламбатський кам'яний хаос}} and the Valley of Ghosts. The {{ill|Funa Fortress|uk|Фуна (фортеця)}} is located at the foot of Southern Demirci.
At the top of the mountain, a rare atmospheric phenomenon known as the Brocken spectre can be seen during sunrise. To observe the "ghost" appearance, several conditions must be met: Chatyr-Dag must be shrouded in mist and the area over the sea and Demirci yayla must be clear, transparent and completely permeable to sunlight. During sunrise, it is possible to see shadows projected on the background of Chatyr-Dag, shrouded in mist, surrounded by a circular rainbow halo.{{cite web|title=Гора Южная Демерджи|url=http://www.krim.biz.ua/geologija_demerdgi.html|website=Крым - отдых в Крыму|access-date=29 November 2016}}
File:Вид с юга на Северное Демерджи, Крым.jpg
The word demirci translates literally from Crimean Tatar as "blacksmith". According to Crimean Tatar folklore, a blacksmith on living the mountain captured a young woman, who fell to her death while trying to escape. As a result of the woman's death, the mountain's deity, in anger, caused boulders to rain on the area, killing the blacksmith and destroying the nearby village.{{Cite news |date=28 July 2021 |title=Брокенский призрак: мистика и загадки горного массива Демерджи (фотогалерея) |language=ru |trans-title=The broken ghost: mysticism and mysteries in the Demirci massif (photo gallery) |work=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |url=https://ru.krymr.com/a/photo-priroda-u-podnozhiya-demerdzhi/30596180.html |access-date=17 February 2023}}
In 1894, a rockslide occurred at Demirci yayla, causing the destruction of four houses within a village. Following the events, the local population subsequently evacuated and re-established themselves elsewhere, under the name of Demirci (now known as {{ill|Luchyste|uk|Лучисте}}).
Nature reserve
On 30 March 1981, Demirci yayla was declared a zakaznik of national importance by the government of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic.{{Cite web |title=Урочище Демерджи в Алуште |trans-title=Demirci area in Alushta |url=https://tropki.ru/rossiya/krym/alushta/urochishche-demerdzhi |access-date=17 February 2023 |website=Tropki |language=ru}} This designation has continued to the modern day under both the Ukrainian government and Russian occupation authorities. The reserve includes an area of {{convert|2076|ha|km2|abbr=on}}, and is separated into four territories; North Demirci, South Demirci, the Valley of Ghosts, and the Dhzurla waterfall.{{Cite web |title=Демерджи яйла |trans-title=Demirci yayla |url=http://www.oopt.aari.ru/oopt/Демерджи-яйла |access-date=17 February 2023 |website=Protected areas of Russia |language=ru}}