On the Volga there is a peninsula formed by a large bend in the river. It is called Samarskaya Luka. Here, in the Zhiguli Mountains, there is a Stone Bowl - a depression in the form of a cauldron, created by five ravines and mountain slopes. This natural formation is a landmark of the state reserve. The "Stone Bowl" tract in the Samara region has become popular among local residents thanks to a spring, which is considered one of the oldest springs in the Zhiguli Mountains.
How to get to the Stone Bowl
The places here are really reserved - the Volga River, the picturesque, forested Zhiguli Mountains. Excursions to the Stone bowl of the Samara region have three routes:
- First - take a bus to the village of Shiryaevo, then through the Shiryaevsky ravine to a mountain spring. The path is 10 km.
- Second - drive from the city to the village of Solnechnaya Polyana, then go through the pass on foot. The walk will take a little over 1 hour. This is the shortest route.
- Third - take a ferry across the Volga to the village of Shiryaevo, then across the ravine to the source of St. Nicholas.
The magnificent natural landscape will allow you to brighten up all the difficulties of a pedestrian crossing. The way back will seem shorter, as you will have to go downhill all the time. You can also drive to Shiryaevo or Solnechnaya Polyana.
Popular route
Wishing to make your visit to the Stone bowl unforgettable and get a lot of pleasure, you can advise the route Samara - Solnechnaya Polyana - Stone bowl of the Samara region. The duration of the route is the whole day. The route starts from the river station in Samara, from where you need to swim to the village of Solnechnaya Polyana. Here you have to buy a ticket to visit the reserve (50 rubles) and go on foot to the Stone Bowl. A river trip along the beautiful Volga River, magnificent landscapes and a forest hike along the path will bring a lot of pleasure for those who love hiking.
Miraculous Spring
Trips to the Stone Bowl in the Samara region are carried out in order to visit a mountain spring, which believers consider sacred. It is said that its water has the power of healing from many diseases, gives he alth and gives people energy. There are three springs in total. One of them is considered miraculous and was called the "Source of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker".
The beginning of the spring takes in a forest ravine. Around it are a large number of twisted stone blocks. A small jet of water breaks out from under a stone ridge, hitting a stone slab, flows down a groove washed with water and forms a small reservoir half a meter in diameter. Water accumulates and flows down the chute.
The second time the spring appears after about a hundred meters. It flows out from under the boulders of the left corner of the cave. Its jet is more watery and flows into the substituted chute.
Further along the mountain, a wall appears, which has many cracks from which water emerges. There are two entrances to the cave, in the floor of which two streams flow from the crevices, connecting into one. Flowing down the stone ledges, they fall into a wooden chute. All the water of this spring, breaking through the rocks, is collected in the gutters.
Other sources
As mentioned above, the Stone Bowl in Samarskaya Luka was formed as a result of the confluence of several ravines formed in the Zhiguli mountains. On the south side, in different ravines, there are two more springs, which are located in the thickets of the forest. Their slopes are steep, so the path to them is quite difficult. Flowing out of rocky crevices, they flow into a ravine with the strange name Kolody.
As scientists believe, the aquifers and water-resistant layers from which springs flow were formed by ancient seas: Akchagyl and less s alty Khvalynsky. This is also reflected in the composition of water.in springs. Some sources have water with a high content of chlorides, while others have a lower composition of carbonates and chlorides.
Name Stone Bowl
When making a trip to the Stone Bowl in the Samara region, many people want to know where the name of this tract came from. There are two versions of his appearance. According to one of them, this name was given to the tract by a cauldron-shaped mountain formation, which appeared as a result of the confluence of ravines.
According to another version, this name came about as a result of the transformation of the Turkic word "chashma", which means "spring", "source". Both versions seem plausible.
Chapel of St. Nicholas
Many believers who live near the Stone Bowl made a pilgrimage to the springs with miraculous water. For a long time there has been a rumor about the power of water, originating in the Zhiguli mountains. In the nearby village of Solnechnaya Polyana there is an Orthodox church in honor of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. The source is named after him. Archbishop Sergius of Samara and Syzran blessed the inclusion of a visit to the spring in pilgrimage routes to the holy places of the Samara region.
With his blessing in 1998, a wooden chapel was built here, burned by vandals in 2000. The believers of Zhigulevsk and Togliatti built a stone chapel on the site of the arson, which organically blended into the natural landscape. Building materials were brought to the foot of the mountain, and each believer going to the bowl had to carry some part of them upstairs. A wooden bathing room was also built, tables and benches were set up.
Legend of the "Stone Bowl"
During an excursion to the Stone bowl (Samara region) you can hear the legend about the appearance of this spring. According to her, at the time of Stepan Razin he had an associate, whose name was Fedor Sheludyak. He was surrounded by the royal troops, not wanting to give up, rushed off a steep cliff to die, breaking on the stones, but they parted before him. He came into the possession of the beautiful Mistress of the Zhiguli Mountains.
She left him in her dungeon. For a long time he lived in her mansions, but he greatly missed the sunlight, sky and earthly beauty. Neither the we alth of the Mistress nor the comfortable life pleased him. He died from intense anguish. It was then that springs appeared, which are the tears of the Mistress of the Zhiguli herself, who is still mourning his untimely death. Of course, this is just a legend, but still beautiful.
