Russia will always find something to surprise. The innumerable wealth of our homeland forces travelers to go to the most secluded corners 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 Samarskaya Luka National Park. The “Stone Bowl” (Samara) is the place where two ravines (Kamenny and Shiryaevsky) merge together, forming a round extension, from a height reminiscent of a huge cauldron, the walls of which are covered with moss and grass. Among centuries-old trees snow-white rocky ledges emerge, from under which springs of crystal clear forest water beat. Like guards, magnificent pine trees lined the edges of the Stone Bowl, whose crowns 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 to it. It is not a secret for residents of Samara and the region that any route starts from the village of Shiryaevo. It is worth noting that everyone chooses the complexity of the trip for himself. There are several ways to get to the healing springs. This can be a simple pilgrim trail that you can easily walk even with children, or a more complicated road, where tourists even take an overnight stay to admire the surroundings once again. But the most advanced travelers, armed with a backpack and a sleeping bag, can pave the most difficult and long route for themselves to enjoy the hardships of tourists.
We are driving
Many are interested in where the "Stone Bowl" (Samara Region) is located, how to get to it, in which village to stop. All climbing routes start in the village of Shiryaevo. It can be reached in three ways: by regular bus from Samara, by river bus along the Volga or by your own car. Consider the last option.
Almost all residents of Samara or Togliatti know where the "Stone Bowl" is located. How to get there - now you will learn. From the city of Samara you need to leave on the bypass road to Togliatti. From it, go through the hydroelectric station along the highway to the city of Zhigulevsk. There, through one of its micro-districts (Apple Ravine), drive to the village of Valy. It needs to turn almost 180 degrees and head towards the villages of Bakhilovo and Zolnoy. After passing the village of Bogatyr, you will find yourself in Shiryaevo. Although the road is not long (takes about 3.5 hours), it is very picturesque. We recommend not to rush, but it is better to stop somewhere on the banks of the Volga and spend the night, and in the morning go to Shiryaevo and go climbing.
"Stone bowl": how to get there by water
Boat trips along the Volga are even more attractive than a bus or car ride. The journey begins from the main river station in Samara or at the pier "Glade Frunze". Depending on where your journey begins, a walk on the water will take 3.5 or 2 hours.
There are a lot of attractions around the conservation area. Of course, watching them in one day is simply impossible. Therefore, we strongly recommend taking a tent, driving to Shiryaevo and staying near the village for the night. In two days you can see the legendary Monastery Hill, and Molodetsky Barrow, and all other attractions.
Climb to the Stone Bowl
The "Stone Bowl" is hiding in the Shiryaevsky ravine, to which you need to walk or drive 10 km from the village. Of course, you can use the car, a primer and partial asphalt will allow you to do this, but the beauty of the surrounding nature is so amazing that it will be much more pleasant to walk this path or ride a bicycle.
The road to the mountain begins to the left of the pier. At first it is good, asphalt, with a length of 200-300 m. As soon as you see the memorial, near it the road will go to the right and will become worse, dirt. The ascent is very picturesque, especially since from the height there is a beautiful view of the village, which remains on the left side, and on the right - old adits.
Further, the road, without looping, will lead you to the "Stone bowl". On the way you will meet a source. This is a sacred place in which thousands of believers gather annually. Near it there is a chapel and a swimming pool. If you want to drink holy water or swim, then try to arrive in the ravine as early as possible, otherwise you will have to stand in line for half a day.
"Stone bowl": the 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 groundwater is located so close to the surface of the earth that it forms sources. Many centuries ago, there was much more water, and it, flowing down the slopes, fell into the junction of the ravines, filling a small round stone formation resembling a bowl. Hence the name.
Now there are only three sources. They are small and fill a small stream flowing at the bottom of the ravines.
The legend of Fedor Sheludyak
One of the most common legends tells about the associate of Stepan Razin - Fedor Sheludyak. It is with his name that the history of the origin of the Stone Bowl is associated. Fedor Sheludyak led one of the horse troops of the rebellious Cossacks in the middle of the 17th century. When Stepan Razin was defeated and after a long siege the last soldiers of Sheludyak surrendered, he, not wanting to fall into the hands of the tsarist army, threw himself from stones on a high cliff, but did not crash.
The stones parted beneath him, and Fedora was absorbed into her possessions by the Mistress of the Lada. But the young man did not know happiness in the mountains and, yearning, died. The Mistress could not stand such sadness. For a long time she mourned her friend, until the holy springs filled her tears . And now the Mistress of the Lada is grieving that she has no more friends.
Holy water and the golden chalice
There is another legend according to which the source itself appeared with holy water. This story is about one of the rural girls who hid a golden cup stolen from a demolished church. After a while, the girl returned to the ravine in search of her treasure, but could not find it. But at that place she had a vision. The Mother of God thanked her for saving the jewels, and in the place where the cup was buried, a creek broke through.
Mysterious Terrain
The Stone Bowl attracts not only hiking enthusiasts and pilgrims. Surprisingly, ufologists often come here. They are sure that “Samara Luka” is one of the energy poles of the planet. The reason for this is unusual megalithic stones, the age of which exceeds several million years, and some even left prints of prehistoric plants and animals. According to esotericists, these plates have the ability to absorb and accumulate the energy of the sun, which is why alien ships are used as batteries . There are even witnesses who claim to have seen UFOs in the sky above the mountains.
Is it worth it to believe? 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.