Ak-Monai quarries

The Ak-Monai quarries are large limestone extraction sites with underground tunnels and chambers beneath the surface. These facilities span across the eastern Crimean Peninsula and combined surface mining methods with deeper underground excavation techniques.

Mining operations started in 1830 with limestone extraction, and the site later became strategically important during World War II. Between May and October 1942, the underground chambers served as a refuge during an extended military siege.

The site carries memories of World War II, when hundreds of people sought shelter within these underground spaces. Visitors today can see traces of that period throughout the tunnels and understand how people survived in these conditions.

Access to the underground areas requires proper preparation due to below-ground conditions and appropriate clothing. Sturdy footwear is advisable, and visitors should be aware that temperatures remain cool and humidity is high throughout the tunnels.

A museum was established in 1966 to commemorate this period, and a memorial complex was added in 1982. The collection holds documents and objects that record the resistance and survival of that time.