The last third of the VIII century, ruled by the great Empress Catherine II. The empire is flourishing, the aristocracy is drowning in luxury. And on the far expanses of the Volga, the flames of a peasant war flare up. Fugitive Cossack Emelyana Pugachev declares himself heir to the throne, surviving Peter III. The great campaign begins on the capital of the empire. The people, tired of the rampant nobility, eagerly support the self-appointed king.
A little about Pugachev
Since 1773, a peasant war led by the self-proclaimed Peter III is gaining momentum. Large areas of the Volga steppes are controlled by rebels. The troops loyal to the empress are locked behind the walls of a few fortresses. Blocked Orenburg. The capture of Kazan is on the agenda . The army moves along the Moscow highway. The last halt, before the decisive battle for the Kazan fortress, Pugachev smashes "Maple Mountain" on the slope near an oak grove. Under the crowns of the great handsome rebel with his associates approves the latest battle plans. Legends say that Emelyan Ivanovich personally used a tall oak tree as an observation deck to better see the upcoming road.
Initially, the offensive developed successfully. Kazan blazed and was almost taken by the rebels, but not enough strength. Approaching regular imperial troops completely defeated the peasant army. Pugachev was forced to flee.
Where to look for treasures
Heavy wagons and looted treasures prevented rapid movement. The rebels were forced to dispose of their trophies. Legend has it that under the same oak where the chieftain rested, a large treasure was buried. Since then, the people call this tree Pugachev's oak. True or not, only providence knows. But the place began to attract numerous tourists. To the sights of the Mari El Republic was added the wonderful Mari Chorda National Park with a wildlife monument - a centuries-old oak.
Famous oak
It has been a giant in four girths for many centuries. Slowly his days flow. Over the years he has seen a lot. In 2013, it was officially recognized that Pugachev's oak began to grow in 1600, and during the uprising it was almost 2 centuries old. During this time, the giant managed to grow strongly and become wider. Today the height of the tree is 26 meters, and the diameter is 159 cm. If you count along the circumference - it is almost 8 meters. Since 1969, the tree was officially given the status of a natural monument.
Whether the legend of the chieftain is right or not is not so important. The main thing is that history itself breathes in this tree.
Afterlife
Old people still remember that in fact another tree was called Pugachev's oak. The giant stood not far from this place. They say the size of that giant was even larger. However, what are his years, our oak still has to grow and grow. His predecessor could not survive the tragedy of World War II. It may be severe frosts, or maybe just old age, but it began to dry and wither. In the 50s, the giant practically withered. It was decided to cut the tree. The whole team worked on the oak. I had to make circular cuts so that he staggered. Eyewitnesses say the fall was like thunder. It took a lot of cars to take out all the lumps made from this trunk. The saw cut of an old tree was stored for a long time in the museum of Leskhoz. Teachers loved to take their pupils there, to acquaint them with the history of the region. The dashing 90s, like a new leprosy, destroyed this memory.
As a witness of the inviolability of the country's foundations, there is a heir to history - the new Pugachev oak, and modern tourists like to sit under his crown.
Legends
New times give rise to modern legends of Pugachev oak. Experienced tourists like to tell one of them in the evenings by the fire.
A white tourist walks around the neighborhood, scares gape travelers. And it was like that. Two friends loved scaring passers-by. They put on a white sheet and rush out to meet at dusk. You don’t immediately understand what is in front of you. It happened, the huntsman went to check the treasured oak. Hazel brothers to meet him. With a fright, the servant fired a shotgun. The joker had to run away for a long time. When he stopped to rest, he saw that there was no friend nearby. He returned to the scene. And there only a bloody sheet lies. They did not find the body of the second joker. So there was a legend that in the evenings a ghost walks and scares people. Everyone is wondering where to find the huntsman.
Legends are legends, and hazels with oak copses attract many tourists. Air and energy are special here.
Modern competitors
The giant has serious competitors - next to the village of Zapolny Pertnury, a giant is gaining its strength. His name is Akpars oak. In a circle he is a little behind. At least seven meter roulette is not enough. He will be even taller.
Russia is the birthplace of many giants.
- A tree grows in Astrakhan, which celebrated the 448th anniversary.
- In the Rostov region, the Veshensky oak tree, which is preparing to celebrate its four hundredth anniversary, became famous. His circumference is not inferior to our hero.
- In Dubovka, Volgograd region, there is a tree that is not far behind its fellow warriors. If we consider that it survived two wounds in the Great Patriotic War, then it catches its breath.
- In Crimea there is a famous oak of Suvorov. Four trunks fused into one monolith - at the base of more than 9 meters. Under it, the great General A. Suvorov received the Sultan's envoy. It was in 1777.
- Even in Moscow, there lives a tree that remembers a two-century history. Born almost immediately after the First World War with Napoleon, the oak still pleases with its appearance. Even the harsh ecology of Tverskaya Street almost leaves no marks on it.
This is a small part of the famous trees. It is worth fighting for them to stand for more than one century.
Hiking trails
Let's get back to our hero.
In the Republic of Mari El, on the border with Tatarstan, there is a wonderful Mari Chodra National Park. Many rivers and lakes attract tourists for many years. Favorite vacation spots:
- Yalchik. A well-developed network of roads and recreation facilities.
- Kichier is a famous sanatorium on the lake.
- Mushan Yer, a sacred grove of locals.
- Lake Deaf, one of the cleanest in Russia. Since 2011 closed to tourists.
- "Maple Mountain", in addition to the famous oak, is known for Green Key and a number of other natural attractions.
The historical oak can be reached by buses from Kazan, Yoshkar-Ola, Cheboksary. Stop - Fly. You can use the train, running between Kazan and Yoshkar-Ola. How to get to Mari El, Pugacheva oak will tell you himself. Its popularity will not let you get lost.
The land of Russia is rich in famous places. Each patch is saturated with history and historical events. The main thing is to remember that we have been here for many centuries. Keep your memory in every stone, in every tree, in every brook. Do not destroy, but create. Carefully protect nature. Her gratitude will not take long. She will respond with clean water, fresh air, the shadow of centuries-old trees. The famous oak tree is a living reminder.