Ермоловский камень, Protected granite boulder in Daryal Gorge, North Ossetia-Alania.
Yermolov Stone is a massive granite block positioned in Daryal Gorge between the Terek River and the mountain road that passes through the area. The boulder features impressive proportions and shows visible traces of alterations made to its surface over time.
Soviet forces adapted this stone into a defensive structure during World War II to protect the strategic mountain passage. The military modifications were dismantled when the conflict ended in the region.
The stone gained prominence through Russian poetry when major writers referenced it in their works after journeying through the Caucasus. Today visitors can see how this boulder has become woven into the region's literary and geographical identity.
Metal brackets attached to the southern face enable visitors to climb up and view the surrounding gorge from the top. The site is openly accessible, but sturdy footwear and careful footing are necessary due to the steepness and uneven rock surface.
This boulder weighs around 15,000 tons and ranks among Europe's largest erratic blocks, with much of its mass hidden beneath river deposits. This concealed scale makes it a geological phenomenon of remarkable importance.
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