Tavrika, as the peninsula used to be called, is a place where you can find everything that any corner of the world can be rich in. There are stunning natural beauty, both mountainous and marine, ancient palaces and picturesque parks, ancient temples, cave towns and monasteries, springs with healing water and even places of strength — in this fertile land there are a variety of treasures that open in all their glory to every guest of Crimea. One of these treasures is Mount Ilyas-Kaya, known to many as a place of power.
Ascent to the mountain Ilyas-Kaya is made as just curious tourists who want to get acquainted with all the famous sights of the Crimea, and people who are fond of all the fantastic and unexplained, unknowable, esotericists and ufologists. 
It also attracts lovers of visiting ancient sacred places, because once on its top there was a Christian monastery, in honor of which the mountain and received its name, which in translation from Crimean Tatar means «mountain of Elijah». Well, and, of course, just fans of natural beauty, people who are not strangers to the craving for beautiful Crimean landscapes strive here.
Mount Ilyas-Kaya is located above the Laspi Bay, which it bounds from the east, at an altitude of 681m above sea level. This sharp-toothed peak, which is part of the mountain range of the Southern coast of Crimea, is widely known, and is visited by both independent tourists and organized tourist groups. Climbing to the top of Ilyas-Kaya, starting from the bus stop «Laspi», 
leads mountain trails on the picturesque slopes of the mountain, it is not difficult and relatively small in length route, which is under the power of both children and adults. Winding along the slopes, the path leads to the fork, which is «guarded» by two wooden heroes, if you go to the right — you can go to the top of the mountain to the ruins of the monastery, turning to the left, you will go to the Temple of the Sun.
The monastery and the temple of St. Elijah (in honor of Elijah the Thespian or Elijah the Prophet, a Christian Saint) existed on the top of Ilyas-Kaya in VIII-XIII centuries, today, unfortunately, from them remained only ruins. And once there was a majestic stone temple of interesting architecture: it had a stepped composition, because the altar, narthex and the middle aisle were raised above each other. 
The place was described in detail by one of the first explorers of the Crimea — Dubois de Monpere: «Adjacent to the church was a sacred cave carved in the rock.. descended there on a narrow path carved in the rock… in all its splendor here is a view, which should be expected from such an isolated high place». It is believed that by climbing up here, one is spiritually purified. While here, one cannot help but feel in awe of this ancient sacred place. Everywhere you look — from all sides there are stunning views of the surrounding area: in the north you can see the Baidar Valley and Chernorechenskoye reservoir, in the south — Mys Sarych Cape, the southernmost point of Ukraine, in the west — the beautiful Laspi Bay and Kush-Kaya Mountain with breathtaking cliffs, and in the east — the Temple of the Sun or Crimean Stonehedge.
The Temple of the Sun is believed to be better to visit after climbing to the top of Ilyas-Kaya and spiritual purification. To it you should follow the same path that led to the ruins of the monastery, but turn left at the rich men. This place is also called Tyshlar Rocks, Flower of Power, 9 Monks, Dragon’s Teeth. A fantastic picture opens before the eye: several sharp rock teeth up to 15 meters high are located in the form of an oval around the rock called the Altar. It is believed that by standing on the Altar, one can make wishes and they often come true. It is also believed that a person who stands on the Altar is filled with solar energy, charged with positive emotions and health. How such a fantastic landscape of Tyshlar rocks appeared, whether it is a reef of the Jurassic Sea, a remnant of a caste funnel, a relic of ancient times and a creation of nature — no researcher knows for sure. That’s why there are legends around this place, and someone believes that the rocks resemble a destroyed dish antenna directed into space. 
Hence the interest to the Temple of the Sun on the part of ufologists, esotericists, interested in the unknown.
A walk to the mountain Ilyas-Kaya to the ruins of a medieval monastery and the Temple of the Sun is memorable even for those who are not very impressionable. Such Crimean landscapes, which can be seen here, combined with ancient shrines, forever fall into the soul, remaining in the memory of fairy-tale pictures. There is a very special atmosphere here, which can be felt only by being here — probably, that is why this Foros attraction is legendary, and people visit it again and again.