As you know, the territory of our country abounds with many interesting places with unique nature. One of them is the Galichya Gora Nature Reserve, whose photos are striking in their beauty and cause a great desire to visit it. Today we offer a closer look at this unique place and its inhabitants.
"Galichya Gora" (reserve), Lipetsk region: description
This natural site is under state protection. It is located in the Lipetsk region on the Central Russian Upland. Interestingly, the "Galichya Gora" is the smallest nature reserve in the world. For this, he was even listed in the Guinness Book of Records. The reserve area is only 19 hectares. Its territory is divided into six sections (clusters), each of which represents a unique object. In addition, “Galichya Gora” (reserve) is considered a kind of botanical phenomenon, since plants grow here that are completely uncharacteristic of this part of our country. Today, important scientific and environmental activities are not only being conducted here. Also, tourists come here with pleasure to admire the splendor of the flora and fauna of our country.
History of the reserve
The reserve "Galichya Gora", whose photo today can be found in many guidebooks in Russia, got its name due to the rocky hill of the same name on the banks of the Don River. Under this name, she was known even during the reign in Russia of Ivan the Terrible, who in the XVI century ordered to erect a guard post here. The origin of the name “Galichya Gora” has two versions. According to one of them, in those days, the banks of the Don River were strewn with small pebbles, that is, pebbles. Another version says that many small birds, which the locals called jackdaws, have long nested on a hill.
The very first scientific study of the territory of Galichy Gora was carried out in the 80s of the XIX century by Moscow professors Zinger and Litvinov. Over the course of just one day, they discovered 17 very rare and completely uncharacteristic plants for the Russian Plain . The publication of this study has become a real sensation in the scientific world. After a short time, botanists from all regions of Russia began to come to the territory of the modern reserve, who began to study the phenomenon of the Galichy Gora. A scientist by the name of Khitrovo made a particularly large contribution to this work, who made a detailed description of the flora of the area, and also compiled the first guidebook.
In 1923, the development of a limestone quarry was started near the tract. This endangered the unique nature of Mount Halych. Fortunately, thanks to the efforts of the scientific community, the development of the quarry was stopped, and the territory of the unique natural park was recognized as a botanical monument. It happened in 1925. Later this territory was given the status of a reserve.
How to get to the reserve
If you are wondering about where the Galichya Gora Nature Reserve is located, then you should study the map of the Lipetsk Region of Russia in detail. To get to this natural park by car, you need to leave the city of Lipetsk in the direction of Yelets. In front of the bridge on the Don River, you will see a sign that you need to turn right. In addition, today a number of travel agencies offer excursions to the reserve. Therefore, if you do not have personal vehicles, you can use their offer. As for the working hours, the “Galichya Gora” (reserve) is open for tourists every day from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sights of the reserve
The main attraction of the most elevated place called Galichya Gora is its rocks. However, it is almost impossible to see them in spring and summer from the other side of the Don River, as they hide in the lush thickets of various vegetation. Rocks are very picturesque and formed as a result of the Devonian limestone reaching the surface of the earth.
The next attraction that tourists will definitely appreciate is the Museum of Nature. Local guides here will be happy to tell everyone who wants to know about the uniqueness of this place, as well as about animals and plants, which are rich in “Galichya Gora” (nature reserve).
Flora
The plants of the Galichya Gora Nature Reserve are very diverse. The local flora is represented by more than 700 species. Among them, forty varieties of the rarest both mountain alpine and steppe plants are especially valuable, some of which have been preserved since the glacial and late glacial periods (Don cinquefoil, ephedra, steppe fern and others). One of the main assets of the reserve “Galichya Gora” is considered to be a herbarium of the Central Russian Upland and adjacent areas, which has over 36 thousand samples.
Galichia Gora Nature Reserve: animals
This natural park boasts not only a variety of plants growing here, but also a diverse fauna. So, invertebrates alone, there are more than ten thousand species. In addition, 38 species of mammals, 6 species of reptiles, 187 species of birds, seven species of amphibians and 57 species of fish live in the reserve. The most valuable and protected representatives of the local fauna are wild boars, moose, crested newts, grass frogs, water snakes, common coppers, golden spindles, golden eagles, vyakhiri, kingfishers, mallards, sea mules, white-tailed eagles, waxwings and some others.
Bird of Prey
An important and special place in the fauna of "Halych Mountain" is occupied by birds of prey. Here lives a number of species included in the Red Book and under state protection. In this regard, in 1990, it was decided to establish a bird of prey nursery on the territory of the reserve. And today, visitors to the reserve are given a unique opportunity to observe peregrine falcons, golden eagles, balapans, burial eagles, several species of owls and other birds of prey. In addition, the nursery is working to revive the traditions of Russian falconry. In this regard, if you come to the reserve in August-September, you have the opportunity to watch the "falcon show", which is a truly unforgettable sight.
Scientific and educational activities
"Galichya Gora" (reserve) is not only an interesting place for visiting tourists. The complex also has scientific and educational activities. So, environmental and environmental work is carried out here on the territory of both the Lipetsk and adjacent areas. The staff of the scientific department includes nine highly qualified specialists in the field of zoology, botany and ecology, as well as nine laboratory assistants.
In addition, the “Galichya Gora” (reserve) is a very important center for environmental education. Every year thousands of sightseers visit it. In addition, it serves as a base for practice for university students from all over Russia. There is also a children's ecological field camp in the territory of the natural park.