Samarskaya Luka is a unique region. The area is formed by the gulf (Usinsky) of the Kuibyshev reservoir and the bend of the majestic Volga River. Here is a very special microclimate, amazingly beautiful mountains, blue-blue expanses of the Volga, unique flora and fauna. All the beauties have earned world fame in Samara Luka.
History of the Samarskaya Luka National Park
Not so long ago, at the end of the eighteenth century, on the territory of Samarskaya Luka dense forests of ancient trees grew. These were predominantly pine-oak and oak-linden forests. However, later the trees were subjected to mass felling, which led to a significant reduction in arrays.
The Samarskaya Luka National Park was founded in 1984. The purpose of its creation was to preserve natural complexes, promote the development of national culture, and also create all the necessary conditions for the development of tourism in the region. Numerous rest houses have been built on the territory of the park.tourist bases, winter and summer routes are laid. Next to it is the city of Zhigulevsk, or rather, it directly adjoins it from the south. So we can say that the inhabitants of this city are very lucky. It's easy for them to go for a walk in the park.
Historical objects in the park
It should be noted that the Samarskaya Luka National Park is interesting not only for its flora and fauna, there are many archaeological sites on its territory. One of them is the Murom town. Once it was one of the largest settlements of Volga Bulgaria (from the ninth to the thirteenth century). Also here are the settlements of the Bronze and Iron Ages. All of them need further study, because they have a lot more to tell.
A remarkable exposition of archaeological finds called "Antiquities of Samarskaya Luka" was opened in the park back in 2011. Just imagine that there are exhibits here belonging to different eras: the Stone, Bronze, Iron Ages and the Middle Ages. How interesting to see live objects of the time of the Golden Horde!
Since the city of Zhigulevsk is located very close, this exposition was opened with the support of its local history museum. Local residents do not always have the opportunity and time to visit museums. But those who come to the park on vacation just may have the very convenient case when it is quite possible to combine entertainment with educational excursions.
In general, the whole history of this region is closelyintertwined with the names of such historical figures as Stepan Razin, Yermak, Emelyan Pugachev, Alexander Menshikov and the Orlov brothers.
Nature of the national park
The nature of the Samarskaya Luka is rich in various plants that from spring to autumn cover the steppes with all sorts of flowers. The vegetation of this area is of deep scientific importance. Six species of plants were once discovered here for the first time, three of which are not found anywhere else. This sunflower is monetolisty, Euphorbia Zhiguli, Kachim Zhiguli. Many plants of the Samarskaya Luka are quite rare and are found only in these places.
Very interesting for research are relic trees that have survived to the present from ancient eras (pre-glacial, glacial, post-glacial periods). Oddly enough, but the glacier could not reach the Zhiguli Mountains, and therefore practically did not affect the nature of the Samarskaya Luka. The largest number of relics can be found in the rocky mountain steppe.
Fauna
The fauna of the Samarskaya Luka is rather peculiar. This is reflected in the fact that at least thirty percent of vertebrates live here on the border of their ranges. These include: viviparous lizard, common viper, long-tailed owl, boreal owl, hazel grouse and capercaillie. All of them are representatives of Siberian and taiga species. And at the same time, typical representatives of the southern steppe species live next to them: a marsh turtle, a patterned snake, a bee-eater, a water snake.
There are relic species here too. Interestingthat they are separated from the main habitat by a sufficiently large distance. This is a patterned snake, common mole rat, alpine barbel beetle.
Modern animals of the Samarskaya Luka are also diverse: roe deer, elk, wolf, wild boar, lynx, marten, hare, fox, muskrat and many others. All of them live here in comfortable natural conditions.
Mountains of Samarskaya Luka
On the northwestern part of the Samarskaya Luka is Molodetsky barrow. It is from here that the Zhiguli Mountains begin, stretching along a 75-kilometer ridge. The mound is shrouded in many traditions and legends. Its height is slightly more than two hundred meters. It hangs over the waters of the Volga reservoir near the Usinsky Bay.
One of the fairy tales tells that once upon a time a young man fell in love with a beautiful girl Volga. But the beauty did not like him. Her heart was occupied by the Caspian. And so the young man decided to block her way, not to let her in to her opponent. Then the Volga deceived him. She put to sleep with her sweet speeches both the young man and his squad. And she ran away to her beloved. Much time has passed since then, the young man and his warriors have turned to stone, turning into the Molodetsky mound. And ever since then, the Volga has been lulling them with the murmur of its waters. Here is such a beautiful story of the emergence of the Samara Luka and the Zhiguli Mountains. However, this is just a legend.
In fact, once the river was blocked by a fold formed due to the movement of the earth's layers. The Volga had no choice but to direct its waters around the obstacle. This is how the legendary and bizarre bend was formed.rivers.
Molodetsky mound has long been of interest to many scientists. This is a truly unique place. It seems very severe, it is given such a view by completely sheer cliffs. And only one of the slopes is covered with dense forest, and relic pines grow at the very top of the mound. The beauty of this place cannot be expressed in words. On the Molodetsky mound you can meet quite rare representatives of the fauna: steppe chump, white-tailed eagle, swallowtail and Apollo butterflies.
From the top of the mound, a beautiful view of the reservoir, mountains and Usinsky Bay opens up. Even before the flooding, Kalmyk Island was located opposite the Kurgan, and behind it, on the opposite bank of the river, was the one-story wooden city of Stavropol. But after the flooding of the territories, of course, the water level rose by almost thirty meters, and the lower part of the shallow river Us turned into Usinsky Bay.
Molodetsky mound is especially popular among tourists. And on the shores of the bay, environmental events, sports competitions, and all sorts of rallies are often held. The mound is included in the national park tour route.
Maiden Mountain
Devichya Mountain is located next to Molodetsky mound. She is also known as little sister. After flooding, the Kuibyshev reservoir hid more than half of the mountain under its waters. Maiden Mountain is also shrouded in legends, like the entire Samara Luka.
Mount Camel
This bizarre mountain is located near Krestovaya Polyana (Shiryaevo village). She got her name because of the bizarre shapepeak, which seems to hang over the Volga and really resembles this animal. From the top of the mountain there is a beautiful view of the surroundings and the banks of the Volga, Tsarev Kurgan and the Zhiguli Gates. The Tsarev Kurgan was once one with the mountain range.
As for the Zhiguli Gates, this is the narrowest place in the Wolves valley, here the river flow is the strongest.
The bowels of Mount Camel are permeated with a network of adits, they are cool even in hot summer. Here, even the rails, along which the trolleys went at the beginning of the century, are still preserved. Currently, the galleries have become a haven for the largest colony of bats in all the Volga lands.
The village of Shiryaevo is located near the mountain. Repin once worked here. Mount Camel has long been chosen not only by tourists, but also by climbers who have equipped a climbing wall on it.
The Zhiguli Mountains end near the village of Podgory, turning into a plateau. It rises above the river for about forty meters. Its surface is cut by ravines, hollows, alternating with rocks and forests.
Rock Hanging Stone
The rock is another local attraction. It consists of limestone rocks. And on its slopes grow lindens, oaks, maples, as well as violets, lilies of the valley, bean. The top of the cliff looks like a small platform. It offers a wonderful view of the Serpent's backwater, Shelekhmet mountains.
Snake Bay
At the foot of the cliff is Lake Vislokamenka (Snake). Although now it is more correct to call it a bay (after the construction of a cascade of reservoirs). People say the lakegot its name because there were always a lot of snakes here. And to this day, these places are considered the most serpentine in the entire Samara Luka. Do not think that it is directly teeming with them. More often you can meet snakes and snakes, but poisonous snakes are rare.
The white-tailed eagle, which is listed in the Red Book, lives in these places. Wild boars, roe deer, kites are also found on the adjacent lands of the backwater. Stony steppes and meadows, coniferous and deciduous forests prevail here. All this together perfectly combines and creates an indescribable beauty that attracts many tourists.
On the lands of Samarskaya Luka there is not only the Samarskaya Luka National Park, but also the Zhiguli National Reserve named after. I. I. Saprygin, which is one of the oldest in Russia.
Birds of the Land
Many birds of the Samarskaya Luka are listed in the Red Book. In general, there are more than two hundred species of birds. Unfortunately, species diversity has declined over the last century. The black stork can be attributed to the disappeared. This situation is associated primarily with human influence. After all, roads were built here, oil was extracted, and the banks of the Volga were built up. All this to some extent affected nature.
Most of the bird species living on the Samarskaya Luka nest here regularly or live sedentary. But there are also species that fly into the territory during migrations.
Capercaillie, black grouse and hazel grouse are especially interesting. Once they lived herelots of. Now everything has changed. But, on the other hand, the white-tailed eagle has become a settled permanent resident of these places.
The combination of floodplain and mountain landscapes creates unique conditions for numerous representatives of the animal world, many varieties of bats that have chosen local adits. So that no one disturbs the bats in winter, the entrances to the caves are blocked with bars.
Instead of afterword
Samarskaya Luka is the rarest natural phenomenon. The Ministry of Natural Resources created a national park for a reason. The local places are unique in terms of the composition of flora and fauna. Not so long ago, biosphere reserves were opened on the basis of the Zhiguli Reserve. Their goal was to ensure the protection of the lands of the Volga region and the landscapes of the Zhiguli. Most of the lands of the reserves are located on the territory of Samarskaya Luka. This is primarily due to the fact that these lands have not been affected so much by human influence. So, there is still a chance to somehow save everything that is currently. There are completely unique ecosystems on the territory of the bioreserve: the Samarskaya Luka plateau, stone steppes, mixed forests, etc. The Ministry of Natural Resources should carry out environmental protection measures aimed at protecting human impact on nature. Because not all human deeds are good for her.
The Samarskaya Luka National Park is a unique place that amazes with its beauties. Visit it and plunge into the wonderful world of nature.
