As you know, the territory of our country is replete with many interesting places with unique nature. One of them is the reserve "Galichya Gora", the photos of which are striking in their beauty and cause a great desire to visit it. Today we invite you to get to know this unique place and its inhabitants.
Galichya Gora (reserve), Lipetsk region: description
This natural object is under state protection. It is located in the Lipetsk region on the Central Russian Upland. Interestingly, "Galichya Gora" is the smallest reserve in the world. For this, he was even listed in the Guinness Book of Records. The area of the reserve is only 19 hectares. Its territory is divided into six sections (clusters), each of which is a unique object. In addition, the "Galichya Gora" (reserve) is considered a kind of botanical phenomenon, as plants grow here that are completely uncharacteristic for this part of our country. Today, not only important scientific and environmental activities are carried out here. Also here with pleasuretourists come to admire the splendor of the flora and fauna of our country.
History of the reserve
Galichya Gora nature reserve, whose photo can be found today in many guidebooks around Russia, got its name thanks to the rocky hill of the same name on the banks of the Don River. Under this name, it was known even during the reign of Ivan the Terrible in Russia, who in the 16th century ordered the erection of a guard post here. The origin of the name "Galichya Gora" has two versions. According to one of them, in those distant times, the banks of the Don River were strewn with small stones, that is, pebbles. Another version says that many small birds, which the locals called jackdaws, have long nested on the hill.
The very first scientific study of the territory of Galichya Gora was carried out in the 80s of the XIX century by Moscow professors Zinger and Litvinov. Within just one day, they discovered 17 very rare and completely uncharacteristic plants for the Russian Plain. The publication of this study became a real sensation in the scientific world. After a short time, botanists from all regions of Russia began to gather on the territory of the modern reserve, who began to study the phenomenon of the Galichya Mountain. A particularly great contribution to this work was made by a scientist named Khitrovo, who compiled a detailed description of the flora of the area, and also compiled the first guidebook.
In 1923, a limestone quarry was started near the natural boundary. It put a unique natureGalichya Mountain is under threat. Fortunately, thanks to the efforts of the scientific community, the quarrying 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 where the Galichya Gora reserve is located, then you should study in detail the map of the Lipetsk region of Russia. To get to this natural park by car, you need to leave the city of Lipetsk in the direction of Yelets. Before the bridge on the Don River, you will see a sign to turn right. In addition, today a number of travel companies offer excursions to the reserve. Therefore, if you do not have a personal vehicle, you can take advantage of their offer. As for the opening hours, the "Galichya Gora" (reserve) is open for tourists daily from 9 am to 6 pm.
Sights of the reserve
The main attraction of the hill called Galichya Gora is its rocks. However, it is almost impossible to see them in spring and summer from the other bank of the Don River, as they are hidden in lush thickets of diverse vegetation. The rocks are very picturesque and are formed as a result of the outcrop of Devonian limestone.
The next attraction that tourists will definitely appreciate is the Museum of Nature. Local guides are herethey will be happy to tell everyone about what is the uniqueness of this place, as well as about animals and plants that are rich in "Galichya Gora" (reserve).
Flora
Plants of the reserve "Galichya Gora" 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 times of the glacial and late glacial periods (Don cinquefoil, ephedra, steppe kostenets fern and others). One of the main assets of the Galichya Gora reserve is the herbarium of the Central Russian Upland and adjacent regions, which has over 36 thousand specimens.
Reserve "Galichya Gora": animals
This natural park boasts not only a variety of plants growing here, but also a diverse fauna. So, there are more than ten thousand species of invertebrates alone. 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, elks, crested newts, common frogs, water snakes, common copperheads, brittle spindles, golden eagles, wood pigeons, kingfishers, mallards, long-tailed ducks, white-tailed eagles, waxwings and some others.
Birds of Prey Nursery
An important and special place inThe fauna of the "Galichya Gora" is occupied by birds of prey. A number of species included in the Red Book and under state protection live here. In this regard, in 1990 it was decided to establish a nursery of birds of prey on the territory of the reserve. And today, visitors to the reserve have a unique opportunity to closely observe peregrine falcons, golden eagles, falcons, imperial eagles, several varieties 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 the most interesting place for tourists to visit. Scientific and educational activities are also carried out on the territory of the complex. So, ecological and environmental work is carried out here on the territory of both Lipetsk and adjacent regions. 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.
Besides this, "Galichya Gora" (reserve) is a very important center of environmental education. Every year it is visited by thousands of tourists. In addition, it serves as a base for practice for university students from all over Russia. There is also a children's ecological park on the territory of the natural park.field camp.
