Characteristics of the nature of the Saratov region
A characteristic feature of the Saratov region is that it is the only region in all of Russia that combines forest-steppe, steppe and desert zones.
Starting from the northern part of the Saratov region, there are oak forests, steppes, mixed forest cover and even deserts. All this splendor of natural diversity continues for 200 km to the south of the region. The mixed flora and fauna of the European and Asian parts of the continent gives this region its unique charm. 400 of the 1,700 plant species growing on the fertile soils of the Saratov region are listed in the Red Book. Thanks to this diversity, the region boasts 70 species of mammals and more than 250 subspecies of birds.
Due to its difficult geological situation, the Saratov region has several natural monuments that are protected at the state level.
Garden named after A.N. Radishcheva
The square is located on Theater Square, in its southwestern part, between the Art Museum. A.N. Radishchev and the Academic Opera and Ballet Theater.
Its area is 2.5 hectares. In general, it is a recreation area with benches and asphalt paths along Theater Square. Opposite the Theater there is a Monument to the Fighters of the 1917 Revolution and the Eternal Flame.
There is a small children's playground next to the monument, and public toilets are located on the border with the square.
Kumysnaya Polyana
Any part of Saratov offers a view of a picturesque meadow, where you can breathe in the fresh forest air, take your mind off the bustle of the city and escape from the scorching summer sun.
The massif itself is located on a hill and in order to get there you will have to climb the mountain. The place itself attracts people with its unusual combination: well-groomed meadows, where there are all conditions for spending a day off, and wild, dense forest thickets.
The glade itself is a forest belt, which is located in the west of Saratov. In 1991, the city authorities created a forest park; different goals were pursued - from preserving the cultural and natural heritage of the region to creating a place for out-of-town events. Kumysnaya Polyana occupies 4417 hectares of territory. Among the “local” population you can find hares, foxes, moose, wild boars and occasionally even roe deer. A wide variety of insects and birds, especially owls. The Saratov Peasant Land Bank carried out reorganization work in the forests of Kumysnaya Polyana and improved the territory at its own expense, having previously developed the surrounding lands with summer cottages. All work was done in the late 90s. After this, through the efforts of local authorities, the reserve is periodically restored as one of the main attractions of the region.
For all vacationers, the reserve has a large selection of natural springs, some of them amaze with their pristine splendor, others have been adapted for picnics. Here is just a small part of what the reserve can boast of:
Raspberry spring; Silver Spring; Tatar spring; spring in Money Ravine
Also, the park boasts mountain peaks that even a beginner can climb: Pioneer Peak - the height at the highest point reaches 10 m; Savelyevsky Mountains - approximate height 85 m;
Bald Mountain - offers a breathtaking view of almost the entire territory of Saratov and part of the great Volga River; The ski slope, so popular among local residents and visiting tourists, is located on Cherry Mountain. Weymouth pines are another feature on the territory of Kumysnaya Polyana. They are located on the way to Andreevsky Ponds. There are 5 pine trees in total, but their distinctive features are their vital parameters - age more than 10 years, height 20-25 meters, smooth gray bark characteristic of pine trees, which turns black over the years. The most distinctive feature is the shape of the crowns - an angular pyramid shape, sharply pointed upward. In addition to everything described, pine cones are unusually elongated - up to 5 cm.
Fascinating nature
Recently, nature tourism has been gaining popularity. People want to get out of stuffy and gray cities and go to places where there are mountains, caves, rivers, and lakes. Any traveler should visit the most interesting places in the Saratov region:
- Balakovo waterfall on the Bolshoy Irgiz river. The shoreline around the dam is reinforced with concrete. There are limiters around the waterfall with rapids. Swimming is only allowed in certain areas. Usually tourists decide to come here in the summer season. There is parking for cars near the waterfall.
- Serpentine Mountains. They are located on the territory of the Volsky and Voskresensky districts. The area of the mountains is 7884 hectares. The natural monument includes not only the hills, but also the remaining areas between them. The most commonly found plants are shrubs and herbs. The strange shapes of the slopes are caused by destruction from strong winds.
- Volsky quarry. It is located near the village of Red October. It was once owned by a brick factory, which was closed in the 70s of the 20th century. The quarry still remains abandoned. Here they found the remains of creatures that lived in the Mesozoic era.
- Kudeyarov Cave. A natural monument, including a river and a mountain, is located in the Novoburassky district. Part of the cave today is under rubble. According to legend, robbers hid a treasure in this place, the key to which was hidden in a spring. Archaeologists carried out excavations here, but did not find any treasures.
Those who are not afraid of heights should visit the Blue Lbishche cliff near the village of Zolotoye. Its height is 100 m and its length is almost 2 km. Part of the White Bank of the Volga has an unusual bluish color, which is caused by Cretaceous rocks. The vertical surface of the cliff is characterized by textured stripes and waves.
Among the attractions of the Saratov region, the lemonarium in Saratov should be noted. The nursery where lemons are grown is located on Sokolovaya Gora. This place contains the best varieties of citrus fruits. Travelers can stroll through the lemonarium and enjoy the fragrant air. It is also possible to purchase seedlings of cultivated plants there.
Serpentine Mountains
The length of the mountains is almost 50 m along the Volga coast. The highest point above the river level is 185 m. The slopes are steep and consist of many ravines and landslides. The wildlife of the Serpentine Mountains is rich in its flora, which includes dozens of rare plant species, most of which are on the verge of extinction.
The animal population consists of wild boars, roe deer, martens, badgers and moose. There is a legend according to which the Serpentine Mountains originated from the body of a huge multi-headed snake, cut in half, which ate village girls every day. The unnamed hero managed to defeat him and the monster’s corpse forever turned into stone, forming a mountain range.
Children's Park in Saratov
The children's park is located between the street. Astrakhan, Sovetskaya, Pugachevskaya and Rabochaya.
This is one of the central parks of Saratov. Its area is 6 hectares. In the center of the park there is a sports ground, from it towards the street. In the working area you can find bike rental and a library for the blind. Towards the street Pugacheva is located the Childhood fountain. At the intersection of the street. Sovetskaya and st. Pugacheva, visitors will see the Church of Prince Vladimir.
On the corner of the street. Rabochaya and st. Pugacheva organized a rope town. Next to it is located library No. 38. On the opposite edge of the park there is an animal enclosure called “Menagerie”.
Pinery
Steppe oasis. An extraordinary natural phenomenon is a pine forest among the steppe plain. An amazing feature of this reserve is the very fact of its existence, in a zone of steppe activity, when there were only sands around, nature suddenly created an incredible contrast with the environment - it moved the Siberian forest to the center of the sands. For all its incredibleness, the pine forest of the Volsky region has pine trees over 100 years old and at least 15 meters in height.
Despite the presence of obvious signs of the natural origin of the boron, there is a legend among residents about the artificial origin of the pine forest. Allegedly, a certain nobleman Kokuev ordered the territory to be planted in the second decade of the 19th century.
Popular museums
Any excursion includes visits to museums. There are plenty of them not only in Saratov, but also in other settlements of the region:
- Saratov Regional Museum of Local Lore. Opened in 1886. The institution was located at different addresses. Today it is located in the Ustinov mansion. At first, the establishment existed on donations in the form of rarities. Now the institution has more than 400 thousand ancient objects, including many icons, books, archaeological finds and other things.
- Radishchevsky Museum. This institution became the first publicly accessible art museum in Russia. The institution owns many valuable items donated by Radishchev’s grandson. The exhibition includes works by many famous artists. The museum has a library with books about art. Meetings and lectures are often held in the lecture hall, and music evenings and other events are held in the large hall.
- Long-Range Aviation Museum. It was founded on the territory of the airbase in Engels, where you can see airplanes, missiles and various elements related to aviation. There are large objects located on the street near the building.
- Museum-estate of N. G. Chernyshevsky. In the past, the Saratov Museum was the writer’s home. On the territory of the estate there are also two outbuildings, the Panins’ house and a building with a literary exhibition. The establishment's stock includes more than 50 thousand items. Since due to the small dimensions of the building it is not possible to display all the objects, exhibitions are regularly updated, replacing each other.
- Museum of K. A. Fedin. The institution is dedicated to the life and work of the Soviet writer and journalist. It also houses objects related to 20th century literature. The collection includes books, magazines, manuscripts, etc.
- Memorial Museum of I.V. Panfilov. The establishment is dedicated to the general of the Soviet army and commander of the rifle division during the defense of Moscow. The museum is curated by a local school. The institution contains various materials about Panfilov, his personal belongings and photographs.
In Balakovo you can go to the V. I. Chapaev Museum. The institution has been operating since 1948. The establishment contains not only the belongings of the Red Army commander, but also his comrades-in-arms. Another attraction of Balakovo is the estate of Paisiy Maltsev. In the center of the territory there is a mansion, and around it there are stables, a lilac garden and a utility block.
Tract "Mukhin Dol"
It spreads over 1356 hectares and was created in order to preserve the unique natural landscape of the Volga region. This place has exceptional biological diversity and the unique beauty of the surrounding area. It is thanks to its unique charm that the place was opened for eco-tourism. Oak forests, pine forests with a mixture of deciduous species, in which rare Red Book species are found: red pollenhead, thin-leaved peony, etc. Due to its distance from populated areas, Mukhin Dol boasts a large number of animals inhabiting the territory - moose, wild boars, brown hares and common foxes, as well as resident roe deer, which add variety to the color of the forest population. Woodpeckers are the most common bird species. On the territory of the tract, constant winds blow, especially from the north.
Lipki City Garden
The city garden is located opposite the Saratov Conservatory. On the street Radishcheva from st. Volzhskaya to Cathedral Square, on the other side the borders end along the street. Cathedral.
The garden area covers 4.7 hectares. It is completely planted with linden, poplar, chestnut, pine and rowan trees, between which there are asphalt paths. The entire area is illuminated by round lanterns installed at each bench.
The center has a children's playground with a trampoline. There is a library next to it. Throughout the garden you can find points selling ice cream and drinks.
Rattlesnake Valley
A valley with open access and a wide pond called the Rattled Valley is located in the Volsky region. Gremyachiy Log - this was the name of this place in the old days, which is confirmed by many maps of that time. Such a sonorous name appeared thanks to real natural sounds, due to the fact that every stream and spring thunders in the valley with its unique sound. But since most of the streams and rivers either dried up or were blocked by dams, Rattlesnake Valley has lost its uniqueness. And people are attracted only by its vegetation, which grows in abundance throughout the entire territory. Tall trees, with dense crowns and dense foliage. In Gremuchy Dole, pine trees grow, both very old and younger.
On dark nights and early mornings, elk and roe deer come to the pond to drink water, even wild boars, rare guests of these places, occasionally look into the valley, coming from the wild forests. The reserve is inhabited by a diverse number of insects; butterflies alone are here in countless numbers and in the most unimaginable colors. And several species of ducks that inhabit the pond every season for breeding are wonderful and wild masters of the sparkling surface of the pond.
Square on Teatralnaya Square.
The park area is located along Teatralnaya Square from the street. Moscow.
It represents the artistic design of the square and decoration in front of the Lenin monument.
The square area is no more than 1 hectare. The tree species represented in the design of the green space are mainly spherical topiary poplars and blue spruce. The park is intended for short-term recreation.
On both sides of the Lenin monument there are well-kept flower beds. They separate the roadway of Moskovskaya Street from the recreation area on Teatralnaya Square.
From afar, the Volga River flows for a long time...
According to the latest data, more than 160 plant species are under state protection, 26 of them are listed in the Red Book. Virgin steppes, entire meadows, and oak forests with rare vegetation are subject to disappearance. To preserve the environment and natural landscape of the Saratov region, national nature reserves, parks and natural monuments are being created. More than 140 natural monuments have been registered in the Saratov region. 98 of which are botanical. And representatives of wild fauna throughout the region are taken under state protection.
Nature is part of the history of the people; the greatness of the Motherland is determined by the state of the environment. If a person is not able to protect the wild environment from complete destruction, then such a nation has no future. The Saratov region is one of many regions in vast Russia, which has its own unique flora and fauna. However, over the past decades, the breakdown of recycled waste has led to the death of trees and other vegetation, and the disappearance of entire species and subspecies of the ecosystem. To prevent such an outcome is the main goal of modern man.
Historical places
While traveling around the country, you can simultaneously study its history. The Saratov region is famous for the fact that famous cosmonauts landed on its territory:
- Gagarin field. The historical place is located near Smelovka. It was there that Gagarin landed after his flight into space. A monument to the astronaut, steles and photographs of famous people who dealt with the space industry were installed on the territory.
- Titov's landing site. Another famous astronaut also landed in this area. The event took place in 1961 on an agricultural farm field near the town of Krasny Kut. At first they decided to immortalize this place with pegs and an iron sign, and then they added an obelisk made of wood. After some time it was dismantled, and later a new monument to the second cosmonaut was created.
Not far from the village of Shchegry is Vavilov Dol. In the distant past, the robber Vavila was blinded for a large number of crimes and left to die. He went to a nearby ravine, dug himself a cave near a stream and devoted his life to prayer and repentance. Then other hermits began to join him. After some time, a monastery was founded there, and a church was built nearby. During the war they were destroyed. Today in that place you can only see a chapel with a well and a font.
Another historical place in the Saratov region is the Stepan Razin cliff. The natural object is located near the village of Belogorskoye. The height of the cliff is almost 40 m. In the past, the camp of the famous chieftain was located here. This was confirmed by things found during archaeological excavations.
Square named after A.S. Pushkin (Square named after O.I. Yankovsky)
It is located on the territory in front of the Drama Theater between the street. Rabochaya and st. Slonova.
The square was named after O. Yankovsky in 2015; previously it was named after the great poet A.S. Pushkin.
The park is landscaped with green spaces and benches. Its area is only 1.2 hectares. The trees are mainly birch and rowan. There are also blue spruces. In the center there is a sculpture of O.I. Yankovsky.
The park is popular among theatergoers, where they go for a walk during intermissions or after performances. The rest of the time it is not crowded due to the distance from the city center.
