To see the beauty of nature, to feel its charming, magical charm, it is not at all necessary to go to distant lands, to distant countries and continents. It turns out that the amazing is near, very close to us. For example, it is enough to go to Ukraine, to the Rivne region, to get into a real fairy tale in the open air. More precisely, under the forest canopy.
Paradise for lovers
This is a wonderful place and is called accordingly: Tunnel of Love. It is located in the ancient historical place Klevan, the first mention of which in the annals dates back to the 12th century. For a long time, the lands on which this marvelous natural monument gradually grew belonged to Polish nobles. Already in the 19th century they went to the Russian crown. At that time, the Tunnel of Love was not yet as luxurious as it is today. But even then, romantic couples walked with pleasure under the vaults of the green tent, and the old trees heard passionate confessions, languid sighs, vows of eternal love and fidelity. The Ukrainian name of the attraction is “Tonel Kokhannya”.
Natural Phenomenon
Whatis the famous Tunnel of Love? This is a rather large area of forest in which trees and shrubs grow so close to each other that they form two solid walls of branches and leaves. Moreover, you will not see the sky above your head - it is also replaced by a green or yellow-red ceiling, depending on the season. Moreover, the Tunnel of Love is “rebuilt” by nature according to all the rules of architectural art. An elegant emerald arch rises in a semicircle over 4 kilometers of the railway track connecting Klevan itself with the village of Orzhev.
Good traditions
Local youth, and even older people, in whose hearts a gentle love symphony sounds, are happy to come here to dream, chat, enjoy the company of a dear person and beautiful landscapes. The fame of the reserved forest has long crossed Klevan. The Tunnel of Love is a place of pilgrimage for newlyweds not only in Western Ukraine, but also in the regions of Belarus adjacent to the Rivne region. Photographs are taken here, wishes are made. There has long been a true sign: if you dream of finding your soul mate or want to live happily ever after, plant a flower in the alley. This is exactly what visitors do here. This is also why the Tunnel of Love is so magnificent, the photo of which you see. After all, its "floor" is covered with a variety of field and garden flowers. They bloom with the onset of the first fine days and decorate a corner of paradise until late autumn. And add to this riot of colors the solemnly joyful chorus of birds, and you will understand that there are few places on earththere are such cozy and breathtakingly beautiful places.
Road of travelers
How can I get to the Tunnel of Love (Klevan, Ukraine)? If you are in Kyiv, go by car along the Zhytomyr highway. The roads here are not bad, so the journey will take about 4 hours. After the specified time you will be in Klevan. If you want to take a break, stay at a local hotel, or rather, a whole hotel complex built in a rustic style. Wooden houses for a family or several families, with small flowering courtyards, the paths in which are paved with wooden planks, set in a peaceful mood. And if you are irresistibly beckoning forest thickets - go ahead, to your dream! Check the direction with the locals - the people here are friendly, accustomed to tourists and will gladly indicate where you should direct your feet. For independent travelers, we will clarify the address: Zheleznodorozhnaya street, 4 "b". Yes, the section of railway tracks, turned by nature into a romantic alley, is not particularly exploited. Therefore, you should not be afraid of a suddenly jumping train, only a locomotive can pass. But you should be afraid of mosquitoes, these ubiquitous summer vampires. Alas, there are always a lot of them in the forests, and Klevansky is no exception. Yes, if you decide to get to these places by train, take tickets for the Rivne-Kovel line.
Myths and reality
Naturally, the question arises of how this amazing tunnel was formed. In Orzhevsk, a woodworking plant functioned for a long time. from Klevan andneighborhoods by rail, workers got to him. They and the railway employees trimmed the branches of trees, cleared the rails of grassy thickets. When the activity of the plant fell into decay, the working people became much smaller, and, as a result, maintenance of the road stopped. Here the vegetation took its toll, creating a natural "cave". It is worth noting that in winter, after a good snowfall, it is no less magnificent here than in the midst of spring or summer. You find yourself in the real kingdom of the Snow Queen or Santa Claus. Amazing impressions remain for a very long time.
Yes, we haven't talked about the legends surrounding these places yet. Of course, they are about love - sublime, beautiful and, as usual, tragic. One of the princes of the Czartoryski dynasty fell in love with a peasant girl of unspeakable beauty, with a soul as beautiful as her face. The prince wanted not only to meet his beloved, but also to marry her, to introduce a respected pani, a full-fledged mistress, into his castle. But class prejudices did not allow misalliance. Relatives of the young Czartoryski opposed, and the unfortunate maiden was soon found dead. Then the desperate prince planted in the forest a whole avenue of precisely those trees that the lady of his heart loved most of all. Landing accepted, grew, and then became a symbolic tunnel. What a story!
