Olkhon (island): legends and description of the island (photo)

Olkhon is an island, which among the three dozen other Baikal islands stands out. It is enveloped in a lot of ancient legends and myths. This island is also famous for its greatness of nature monuments, diversity of landscapes. Olkhon is located in the territory of one of the parks, Pribaikalsky, and is considered to be one of the most beautiful places of Lake Baikal. Olkhon is an island that is especially beautiful in the autumn, when the coast is almost deserted. Covered with a golden carpet of grasses, forests that are touched by bright colors, it freezes under the blows of Baikal waves, waiting for the approach of the severe Siberian winter.

Location Olkhon

The largest island of Lake Baikal Olkhon is in the middle of this lake, not far from its western coast. It is stretched along its shore. 73 km is the length of Olkhon (between the capes of Umysh-Tame and Khoboy), and the width reaches 15 kilometers. About 700 square meters. Km is the area of the island. Approximately 210 km - the length of its coastline. Photo of the island of Olkhon is presented below.

The part of Lake Baikal, concluded between the island and the western coast of the lake, is a unique water area with a special microclimate. It has even a special name - the Small Sea, which speaks of a certain independence and exclusivity and is classified as a strait. From the coast of Lake Baikal, the southwestern part of the island is separated by the Olkhonsky Gate strait, which has the reputation of being the most insidious place on Lake Baikal.

Origin of the name Olkhon

There are at least two main versions of the origin of the name Olkhon. This island was named in the language of local residents - Buryats. According to the first Olkhon comes from the word "oihon", which means "wooded". According to another version - from "olkhan", that is, "dry". Both of these options correspond to the appearance of the island, because it is both wooded and dry at the same time. Therefore, it is difficult to give preference to one of them.

Archeology

The history of Olkhon goes back to antiquity. This is confirmed by various archaeological finds and historical monuments. They are collected for more than two hundred years of studying Olkhon. On the island as of 1993, 143 different archaeological sites were known . Many of them are protected by the state. Unfortunately, many monuments, including ancient stone walls, were destroyed. The purpose of their erection is still unknown. They were destroyed in 1963, using the extracted stone to strengthen the mole, which is in the village, called Khuzhir.

Relief of the island

The west coast of this island, washed by the waters of the Lesser Sea, is shallow for the most part, with bays going deep into the shore, and also rocky capes. On the contrary, the eastern, rocky, mountainous, breaks abruptly into Baikal. There are no deep bays here. The highest point of Olkhon is located on its southern coast. This is the mountain of Jima, whose height is 1274 meters. It is 818 meters above Lake Baikal. The deepest place of the lake is just 11 kilometers from Zhima. This is a mark of 1637 meters. The steepness of the underwater slope in these places reaches 30-40 degrees near the island.

Steppe is the southern part of Olkhon Island and partly the northern extremity. Birch, larch and pine forests grow on the rest of the space. On the west coast, in its middle part, from the cape Sasa to the cape Khuzhir coast is sandy. Overgrown with larch and pine trees, cut by capes, they will leave an unforgettable impression on the travelers.

Lakes and rivers

It is large enough to have its own lakes, Olkhon. This island has several reservoirs. Of these, the most famous and large are the following lakes: Nurskoe, which from time to time merges with Zagli Bay; Hanghui with many archaeological sites; Shara-Nur - the only salt lake on the island of Olkhon; Nuku-Nur is a reservoir in which many living organisms are found.

There are no rivers on the island, only a couple of streams that reach Lake Baikal. Small springs are found in the forest part of Olkhon. They feed a few swamps. In some places, despite low water, new streams appear right before your eyes.

Live nature

The wildlife on this island has suffered largely from anthropogenic impact. Through the fault of man over the past several decades, a large cormorant, a Falcon, a roe deer, a maral, a wolf, a bustard disappeared from Olkhon. On the island in the 18th century completely exhausted sable. Nerpa became a rarity, and before that she adored to bask on the coastal stones under the sun. This unique animal can now be found only on the eastern shore of the island of Olkhon. From here, in recent years, the solar eagle that once nested on the island has completely disappeared. This sacred Bald Eagle, which is dedicated to many of the ancient legends of Lake Baikal, son of the Boss Olkhon, as well as the progenitor of local shamans. This bird sacrifices are still being brought.

Currently Olkhon has 135 species of birds (wagtail, horned lark, stove, white-haired swift, Dahurian jackdaw, capercaillie, black grouse, duck, sandpiper and others). There are 20 species of mammals (caress, polecat, squirrel, hare, fox, lynx, etc.), including an endemic animal called olkhon vole. It occurs exclusively in the Baikal steppes. You can find here 1 species of amphibians and 3 - reptiles. In winter, from solitary predators, solitary wolves meet on Olkhon, penetrating the island along the ice. Wolf packs in the same way go very rarely. And do not be afraid: there are no bears.

Tourism on the island

Rest on the island of Olkhon will be remembered for a long time. The Baikal, surrounded by many secrets and legends, attracts numerous tourists. In holidaymakers, the island of Olkhon (Lake Baikal) is very popular. This is the heart of the lake, as well as the only island on Lake Baikal, which is populated.

Olkhon is also the largest of the islands. It is a cultural center of tourism. On the island of interest to us in July, the annual "Siberian Ramp" - an international theater festival. In August, there is also a festival of amateur theaters. However, the main thing that distinguishes this place is its unusual fauna, flora and people, far from city life, inhabiting the island of Olkhon.

How to get here? To the island from the city of Irkutsk - 5-6 hours drive. You can get here by car, as well as on a minibus. From the mainland to the island is the crossing.

The sensation of mystery and fairy tales arises immediately upon arrival at Olkhon. Sand-strewn roads adjoin to the forests, where trees grew in the sand. The reason for this is Sarma (a hurricane wind blowing from the Sarma gorge).

Several settlements are located along the shores of the lake. Of these, the largest is Khuzhir. Every summer this village gathers tourists. It has some signs of the city: Internet cafes, a club, a museum, a library. However, Khuzhir seems far from civilization. After all, here live real islanders.

The population of the island

For a long time people settled on Olkhon. An ancient man's site dating back to the Paleolithic period was found in the Saray region. More than 13 thousand years old is estimated her age. Today, about 1,500 people live in several villages. Basically they are Buryats, indigenous people. Their occupation is cattle breeding and fishing.

About 1,200 people live in Khuzhir. Located here is the only industrial enterprise on the island. This is the Malmorsk Fishery Plant, the largest on Lake Baikal.

There is a village among sand dunes, which consists of only a few houses. This is the remains of the former village of Kharantsi. Baba Katya, the only inhabitant of her, sits on a mound, listens to gulls flying over the island. And how many folk legends this old woman knows ...

Climate of the island

The months warmest in Olkhon are August and July. Quite a little snowy and mild here in winter, however longer than on the mainland. Summer and spring come somewhat later than on the mainland. Very little precipitation falls on Olkhon, about 200 mm per year. This is the norm for semi-deserts. The south-western and southern parts are the driest not only on this island, but also on the whole Baikal. The seaside ridge is to blame for this. Through it, air masses pass on the way to the island. Overcoming it, they heat up, rolling down into the Baikal basin. This leads to a drop in humidity. Therefore, rains destined for Olkhon fall out usually on the eastern shore of Lake Baikal. Olkhon rain is about 10 drops per hour. However, there are also heavy showers, as well as protracted bad weather.

Often, the wind blows on Olkhon for a long time. At the same time, the north-west direction predominates. 148 days is the average when the wind speed is more than 15 m / s.

Legends of Olkhon Island

Like Baikal itself, Olkhon grew legends to such an extent that local people feel themselves as part of fairy tales. Even the geographical names speak for themselves. In Khuzhir, for example, there is Shamansky Cape, which was ranked among the nine shrines of Asia. Once upon a time, shamans were constantly on the island. Sacrifices to spirits were committed on this rock.

Cape of Love

The island is rich in rocks and capes, which, like a talented artist, nature has created. Some resemble the outlines of animals or people. Cape of Love beckons to tourists. This is almost the main attraction of Olkhon. They say that the rock at a certain imagination resembles the legs of a woman, bent at the knees.

According to legend, if the Buryats could not conceive a child, they came here and asked for help. And today people use a magic rock. To ask the boy, according to the belief, you need to go to the left, the girl - to the right. If you want twins, go straight.

On Olkhon there are many places where it is customary to ask for something about spirits or make wishes. Shaman columns are scattered around the island. They should be tied with colored ribbons, while making wishes. There are places where people put candy, coins and other objects in a gift to the gods, asking them for something.

Mirror of desires

Mirror of desires is a place endowed with special magic. To get here, you need to overcome a dangerous and long way along Lake Baikal on the break of Olkhon Island. But those who manage to do this, as a gift will receive a unique view of the sunlit lake. Silent marble cliffs with wind are silently talking here. Mirror of desires, according to legend, is a window in the rock, which, if you enter it, can realize your secret hopes and intentions.

Cape Chaek

The island of Olkhon on the hot summer days becomes a beach. A lot of sandy beaches are available here. Another definition that can be given to this island is the shelter of gulls. There is even Cape Chaek. It is a rock of Olkhon Island, on which these birds gather in large flocks. Here excursions by boat are organized for tourists. Everybody has the opportunity to feed the birds with bread. They say that in the water you can see by chance a mermaid. Of course, this is a kind of beliefs and legends, but anything can happen.