Landscaping complex "Stone Bowl": description, sights and interesting facts

Russia will always find something to surprise. The untold riches of our homeland compel travelers to travel to the most secluded places to find amazing places. One such corner will be discussed later. This is the "Stone Bowl" near the city of Samara.

The natural landscape complex is located in the national park "Samarskaya Luka". The "Stone Bowl" (Samara) is the place where two ravines (Kamenny and Shiryaevsky) merge together, forming a round expansion, from the height resembling a huge cauldron, the walls of which are covered with moss and grass. Among the age-old trees, snow-white rocky outcroppings protrude from beneath which springs of crystal clear forest water are beating. Like guards, along the edges of the "Stone Bowl" lined with magnificent pine trees, the crowns of which protect this magical place.

How to get there

Many are interested in the question of where the "Stone Bowl" is located and how to get there. For residents of Samara and the region it's no secret that any route starts from the village of Shiryaevo. It is worth noting that everyone chooses the difficulty of traveling for himself. There are several ways to get to the healing springs. This can be a simple trail of pilgrims, which can easily pass even with children, or a more complicated road, on which even tourists get up on an overnight stay to admire the surroundings once again. But the most advanced travelers, armed with a backpack and sleeping bag, can make the most difficult and long route to enjoy tourist hardships.

We go by car

Many are interested in where the "Stone Bowl" (Samara region) is located, how to get there before it, in which village to stop. All routes of ascent begin in the village of Shiryaevo. It can be reached in three ways: by regular bus from Samara, by river tramway along the Volga or by your own car. Consider the latter option.

Virtually all residents of Samara or Togliatti know where the "Stone Bowl" is located. How to get there - now you will also know. From the city of Samara you need to go on the bypass road to Togliatti. From it through the hydropower plant along the highway, go to the city of Zhigulevsk. There, through one of its microdistricts (Yablonevy Ravine), you will go to the village of Valy. It needs to turn almost 180 degrees and head towards the villages of Bakhilovo and Zolnoye. After you pass the village of Bogatyr, you will find yourself in Shiryaevo. Although the road and not close (takes about 3.5 hours), but very picturesque. We recommend not to hurry, but it's better to stop somewhere on the Volga bank and spend the night, and in the morning go to Shiryaevo and start climbing.

"The Stone Bowl": how to reach the water

Water walks along the Volga are even more attractive than a trip by bus or car. The journey starts from the main river station in Samara or on the pier "Polyana Frunze". Depending on where your journey begins, a walk on the water will take 3.5 or 2 hours.

Around the protected area there are a lot of attractions. Of course, it's impossible to see them in one day. Therefore, it is strongly recommended to take a tent, go to Shiryaevo and stay near the village for the night. In two days you can see the legendary Monastery Hill, Molodezky Mound, and all the other attractions.

Rise to the "Stone Bowl"

The "stone bowl" hides in the Shiryaevsky ravine, to which it is necessary to pass 10 km from the village. Of course, you can use the machine, a primer and a partial asphalt will do this, but the beauty of the surrounding nature is so amazing that it will be much more pleasant to walk this way or ride a bicycle.

The road to the mountain starts to the left of the pier. At first it is good, asphalted, with a length of 200-300 m. As soon as you see the memorial, near it the road will go to the right and become worse, unpaved. The ascent is very picturesque, especially since from the height there is a beautiful view of the village, which is left side, and on the right - old galleries.

Further the road, without looping, will take you to the "Stone bowl". On the way you will meet a source. This is a sacred place, in which thousands of believers come together every year. Near it there is a chapel and a swimming pool. If you want to drink holy water or bathe, then try to arrive in the ravine as early as possible, otherwise you will have to stand half a day in line.

"Stone Bowl": origin of the name

As you know, the landscape park is located in the Zhiguli mountains. This is the only place in the area where the groundwater is located so close to the surface of the earth that it forms sources. Many centuries ago, water was much larger, and it, flowing off the slopes, fell into the junction of gullies, filling a small round stone formation resembling a bowl. Hence the name.

Now there are only three sources left. They are small and fill a small stream flowing down the ravines.

Legend of Fyodor Sheludyak

One of the most common legends tells of the companion of Stepan Razin - Fyodor Sheludyake. It is with his name connected with the history of the origin of the "Stone Bowl". Fedor Sheludyak headed one of the cavalry detachments of the rebellious Cossacks in the middle of the 17th century. When Stepan Razin was defeated and after a long siege the last fighters of Sheludyak surrendered, he, not wanting to fall into the hands of the tsarist army, rushed from a high cliff to the rocks, but did not break.

The stones parted under him, and Fedor was swallowed up in her possession by Mistress Zhiguli. But the young man did not know happiness in the mountains, and, yearning, he died. I could not stand such grief and the Mistress. She mourned for a long time her friend, until her tears filled the holy springs. And now Mistress Zhiguli grieves that she has no more friends.

Holy water and a golden bowl

There is another legend according to which the source itself appeared with holy water. In this story we are talking about one of the rural girls who hid the golden cup stolen from the demolished church. After a while, the girl returned to the ravine in search of her treasure, but she could not find it. But at this point, she had a vision. The Mother of God thanked her for saving her jewels, and in the place where the bowl was buried, a brook broke through.

Mysterious terrain

"Stone Bowl" attracts not only hikers and pilgrims. It's amazing, but ufologists often come here. They are sure that the "Samara Luke" is one of the energy poles of the planet. The whole blame for unusual megalith stones, whose age exceeds several million years, and on some even left imprints of prehistoric plants and animals. According to the esotericists, these plates have the ability to absorb and accumulate the energy of the sun, because of which out of the use of alien batteries as batteries . There are even witnesses who claim to have seen UFOs in the sky above the mountains.

Is it worth believing in this? You decide. The main thing is that the "Stone Bowl" is another amazing fantasy of our nature, which is beautiful at any time of the year.