Not only residents of Ukraine and Belarus, as well as neighboring Russia, but the whole world know about the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant . The evacuation of the local population began immediately after the disaster. And even today the danger of radiation remains, and together with this threat the exclusion zone remains closed. How to get to Chernobyl and what is worth seeing there?
Romance of the post-apocalypse or a nightmare of reality?
A huge number of documentaries and feature films have been shot about Chernobyl, and in particular the city of Pripyat, many literary works have been written, and computer games are created based on them. There are plenty of rumors and legends about this place, the most popular of them are stories about mutants, but there are more extravagant versions. This may seem strange, but indeed many people believe that in the closed zone the military conducts experiments or aliens land. In fact, everything is prosaic - behind the checkpoint there are poor quality roads with signs of the Soviet period on the sidelines. Along them stretch quite ordinary-looking overgrown fields and forests, among which there are periodically abandoned settlements. Think, this is really what you want to see before looking for the answer to the question of how to get into the Chernobyl zone.
The condition of cities and villages
Among those who want to get into the exclusion zone, the most interesting is the city of Pripyat. It is real photos from there that are mercilessly exploited in works of art - a large-scale hotel with broken windows, a rusting Ferris wheel and a clear outline of nuclear power plants on the horizon. After such pictures, there are those who want to know how to get to Chernobyl. At a real inspection, Pripyat makes an impression rather dull. Everything has been looted for a long time, residential and public buildings are looking at the street with broken glass and empty doorways, and inside they can only find garbage. Looting began almost immediately after the evacuation, the local residents were told that it was necessary to leave in a matter of days, so various valuable things remained in the abandoned houses, which attracted the robbers. By our time, all furniture and doors, electric wires, and even central heating radiators had disappeared from the houses.
Belorussian zone
In conversations about the closed territories around the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, the lands of Ukraine are more often mentioned, namely the cities of Pripyat and Chernobyl, their surroundings. But do not forget that the site belonging to Belarus is also considered infected. On this territory is located a unique Polessky Reserve. The objective of this complex is to prevent pollution of clean areas and ensure the safety of the boundaries of the exclusion zone. At thematic forums the question is popular: “How to get to Chernobyl from Belarus?” The answer to it is unequivocal - practically nothing. Outsiders are not allowed into the reserve, there is a strict regime and high-quality protection. Separately, it is worth noting that getting a job at this facility is not easy at all.
Who lives behind the perimeter?
The most popular village today in the zone is the village of Tulgovichi, located just 50 km from the nuclear power plant. Officially, resettlement was carried out in 1991, but among the residents there were 8 people who flatly refused to move. At first glance, a normal rural life is going on here - there is electricity, a telephone, mail arrives, and once a week a car shop and a doctor always come. What is noteworthy is that the locals are not afraid of radiation, grow vegetables, fruits, drink well water, and in the season they pick mushrooms and berries in local forests. They are surprised by tourists who want to know how to get into the Chernobyl zone, because for them, their native village is the same house as 10, or even 50 years ago, and "there is nothing interesting here." It was in Tulgovichi that a greater number of materials about self-settlers for various documentaries were shot. Individuals and small families also live in other villages, many of which have already been moved outside the borders of the zone.
Excursions to Chernobyl: how to get there?
Many travel agencies offer official organized excursions to Pripyat and neighboring villages. In order to get to them, it is not enough to pay for a ticket, you need to submit an application in a special way in advance. After checking it on the person who wishes, a personal document is issued allowing entry. Since such a tourist service is popular among guests of Ukraine from many countries, you can fill out an application and book a tour via the Internet. Nowadays, the answer to the question: “Is it possible to get to Chernobyl?” - positive. The most important thing is to follow the rules of conduct and follow all the instructions of those accompanying during such an extreme walk.
Memorial Days - Free Entry
You can get into the zone legally and absolutely free of charge on some memorable dates. Usually this is the period from May 9 to May 14, with the obligatory condition of entry and exit during daylight hours. This permission is established to ensure on holidays access to the burial places of deceased relatives. Only citizens of Ukraine over 18 can take advantage of the offer. Minor children can be admitted with their parents in special cases when the responsible representatives write the corresponding consent application. This option is not suitable for tourists who want to know how to get to Chernobyl, but it is a real rescue for local residents. In the days of remembrance, protection in the exclusion zone is strengthened, at the entrance to the checkpoint all cars and each passenger are registered.
What you need to know for beginner stalkers
A lot of thematic communities on the Internet are devoted to the question "How to get to Chernobyl illegally." It should be noted that there really are people who manage to walk "behind the perimeter" without permission and more than once. They often call themselves "stalkers" and take risks solely for the sake of impressions and their own pleasure. Without going through the checkpoint, the exclusion zone is visited by marauders and poachers, whom, thanks to the improvement of the security system, become smaller every year. In self-organized campaigns, at first glance, there is really something interesting, but one does not need to think that such an event is an ordinary pleasure walk. People familiar with Chernobyl only in modern folklore believe that radiation and the mutants generated by it should be wary. In fact, before thinking about how to get into the Chernobyl exclusion zone, you need to answer a number of simple questions. How confident are you in your physical stamina and fitness? Is there any survival experience in the wild? To be afraid in the exclusion zone is not radiation exposure, but wild animals, in particular poisonous snakes and wild boars, which are abundant in local forests. Remember that when going on an extreme trip for the first time without a reliable guide, you run the risk of getting lost. The guard is also awake, the meeting with which will certainly not end with anything good.
Does NPP work today?
The Chernobyl NPP has not been working for more than 10 years, but there are people in the city. Nowadays, conservation work is underway at this facility, with one shift consisting of approximately 2.5 thousand people. attendants. Some of the workers work in shifts, that is, with partial residence in an abandoned city. Especially for these people there is a shop, hotel, cafe. Is it possible to get to Chernobyl by nailing to the employees of the nuclear power plant? No, since each of them has a special pass, which is impossible for an outsider to obtain. Moreover, even really getting a job at this facility is not easy at all - you need the appropriate qualifications. It should also be noted that the selection of applicants is multi-stage with stringent criteria.