Smolenskoye Poozerye National Park
Smolenskoye Poozerye - a national park located in the Smolensk region of the Demidovsky and Dukhovshchinsky districts and occupies 1462 km2, with which the majority is a forested, and the rest is – agricultural land, lakes and swamps. It was founded in 1992 with the aim of saving pristine unique natural complexes, as well as for fulfilling a scientific and cultural mission. Since 2002, it is part of the nationwide network of biosphere reserves.
This area is often called the edge of blue lakes, since there are about 35 water bodies on the territory, among which there is a group of lakes located very close to each other and separated by massive ozone ranges. All of them are charming and unique in their own way, for example, a lake called Chistik, with an area of 57 hectares, is distinguished by its transparency and purity of water, due to the fact that it feeds exclusively on groundwater. With its amazing beauty, Lake Sapsho attracts tourists. This is the largest lake of Smolenshchina – 304 ha. The deepest is Lake Baklanovskoye, in some places the depth is 29 m. Lake Bukino is located away from roads and is considered shallow, and in summer it becomes half lilies. There is fish in the lakes, such as perch, pike, bream, rafting, and red pepper, which greatly lures fishing enthusiasts, as well as underwater hunting. Tourists are in a hurry to swim in the crystal waters of Chistik.
Smolensk Pozerje is also famous for its historical sites. Here is the so-called « Holy Source », which is the key of water that hits simply from underground. Everyone who passes by him must wash themselves, get drunk and take this miraculous water with them, which, by faith, helps from all ailments.
In the village of Pokrovsky, both tourists and archaeologists, the remains of the palace and park complex of Prince Potemkin-Tauride are attracting attention. It is here that behind the thickets of acacia and spire lie the piles of the legendary brick, as well as the remains of the stone foundation. In 1787, when Catherine II decided to look at her new possessions, Prince Grigory Alexandrovich Potemkin, decided to please her with a beautiful palace like Tauride, and chooses the village of Pokrovsky for this, since she learns that her path lies through the Guard. Later, the palace passed from the owner to the owner, after the revolution – nationalized, and as a result burned down in a fire, the remains were dismantled by the peasants.
The Smolenskoye Pozerje Nature Reserve includes the oldest complex of the uncommon Verzhavsk. The significance of this object is that it is an exceptional, complete archaeological complex in the park, containing traces of the city, as well as cemeteries of distant Slavs.
Nowadays, the Przewalsky House Museum, the Partisan Glory Pavilion, also operates in the state park, services are held in the Church of the Ascension of the Lord.
The plant and animal world of the Smolensk Lakes is very diverse. Forests are represented by spruce, oaks, many plants are recorded in the Red Book of the Smolensk Region, and enas and in the Red Book of Russia ( long-term drilling ). About 36 species of fish, feels great in the waters of the ( park - the carp family, but rare species come across - the stream trout ). The fauna is represented by more than 2000 species of invertebrates, some of which present a national treasure. Also here are amphibians. 228 species of birds live in the park, 19 of which are included in the Red Book of Russia. From the most common species ( wolf, fox, hare ) and to endangered species, you can meet mammals.
Smolenskoye Pozerje National Park is very popular among tourists. Here are presented to travelers walking paths, where you can not only enjoy the natural wealth of the area, but also plunge into the history of the state. Many people come here for the purpose of recovery. The children's camp « Forest Republic » also operates on the territory of the reserve.
