Orenburg region. Nature of the Orenburg region (photo)

The works of Pushkin, Derzhavin, Aksakov, Krylov, Tolstoy, Shevchenko, Korolenko and Dahl are associated with the Orenburg region. Here the names of Yuri Gagarin, Lyudmila Petrova, Irina Safarova, and the Dobroskok brothers are woven into the history of the region.

However, when mentioning the region first, an association with the Orenburg downy scarf always arises. The down knitting craft originated here in the 18th century, and world fame came to it after the 1857 exhibition in Paris. Today, the owners of the product are singers Fergie, Madonna and Montserrat Caballe, actresses Annie Girardot and Sean Young and many others.

Its special feature is the down of local goats, which is considered the thinnest and most durable in the world. But working with it requires unique skills: craftswomen spend about a month making one large scarf.

For ease of route planning, we have marked all mentioned cities and attractions on the map of the region:

State reserve

The Orenburg region, whose nature is famous for its beautiful landscapes, reservoirs and unique flora and fauna, is a favorite holiday destination among tourists from many countries of Eastern Europe. There are several protected areas in this region.

The Orenburg State Reserve is the largest reserve in the steppe regions of the Southern Urals and Trans-Volga region. The protected area includes 4 sections. Let's take a closer look at these natural monuments of the Orenburg region.

Children's railway in Orenburg

One of the best places to go with children in Orenburg is the children's railway. The kids are simply delighted with such an adventure. After all, the length of the ChRW is 5.8 km. Along the way, the train passes along the coastline of the Urals, where the magnificent nature will take your breath away! During the trip the train makes three stops: st. Komsomolskaya, st. Kirovskaya, st. Oak trees. Young travelers will be able to get acquainted with the most picturesque places of Orenburg. The railway itself has undergone a complete overhaul, making the trains absolutely safe. It rarely happens that there are several empty seats in the carriages; more often than not, the train moves with a full complement of passengers!

Opening hours: Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday from 11:15 to 18:30. There is a timetable at each station. One-way ticket prices: adults - 40 rubles, children - 20 rubles.

Burtinskaya steppe

The protected areas and nature of the Orenburg region are what this amazing region is famous for. The Burtin steppe is a beautiful region, the pride of local residents. This section of the state reserve is located between the Ural and Ilek rivers. This territory is home to such rare fauna as little bustard, steppe eagle, buzzard, lapwing, etc.

The Burtinskaya steppe is a place where the most beautiful and unique natural objects of the Orenburg region are located.

The Tuzkaragal tract occupies the central part of the reserve.
The Kainar spring is a powerful healing source, the water in which does not freeze even in the most severe winter.
Carmen Hills - unique shrub and rocky steppes are preserved in this area.
Lake Koskol is a real pearl of the Urals. These are unique reservoirs of karst origin. Situated in the upper reaches of the Tuzlukolli River.
The turtle swamp is the only habitat of the marsh turtle on the territory of the Orenburg Nature Reserve.
Sarmatian burial mound of the 7th-3rd centuries. BC e.

Aituar steppe

The Aituar steppe is the most beautiful part of the Orenburg Nature Reserve. Unique natural objects are located on its territory. The Aituar steppe is famous for its unique landscape - a combination of mountain ranges and gullies.

Balka Zharyk is an unusual geological object. It is located in the central part of the Aituar steppe.
Shinbutak Balka is famous for its rocky outcrops.
On the territory of the Karagashty tract grows the orchis orchis plant, which is listed in the Red Book.
Shaitan Mountain is a beautiful limestone mountain on the banks of the Ural River.
Kurgan burial grounds belonging to late nomadic tribes of the Middle Ages.

Drama Theater named after M. Gorky

The M. Gorky Drama Theater is a great landmark of Orenburg. In 2006, the famous building turned exactly 150 years old. It was at this time that the theater was reconstructed, after which the architectural style did not lose its primitive beauty. Therefore, every tourist should go here! The history of the drama theater is connected with the life and work of famous actors who performed on the big stage. Today, the theater’s activities have not lost its relevance and on its stage you can watch the best performances in the country.

Lakes of Sol-Iletsk

For people who prefer traveling with their family, the Orenburg region will be their favorite vacation spot. The nature of this region is amazingly rich, and its main advantage is the lakes.

Sol-Iletsk has long earned the reputation of the most beautiful city in the Orenburg region. It is located on the shore of the huge Lake Razval. In ancient times, there were sources of table salt in this place. In the 18th century, the development of the salt dome began, during which a huge lake was formed on the territory of Sol-Iletsk. Razval is famous for its healing water. Swimming in this lake is recommended for people with skin diseases and musculoskeletal disorders. It should be noted that the water in Razval is very cold, but it does not freeze even in winter.

Caravanserai

The historical and architectural complex “Caravanserai” was founded in 1846. The construction of the complex was carried out on voluntary donations for the command of the Orenburg Corps and visiting officials. Now the “Caravanserai” is a popular attraction in Orenburg, which all tourists strive to visit. The composition of the complex itself is a diagram of the structure of Bashkir villages. In the center there is a mosque, the inside of which is skillfully decorated. Despite the fact that the building has undergone restoration, it has not lost its original splendor. The ceiling painting alone fascinates with its beauty: a sky with one sun and 8 crescents. The mosque is connected by a corridor to the minaret, but climbing the stairs to its top is prohibited (due to the dilapidation of the building).

Buzuluksky pine forest

The nature of the Orenburg region, photos of which are presented in the article, impresses with its uniqueness and beauty. This is confirmed by the Buzuluksky forest. This huge forest area is located in the Orenburg and Samara regions. City dwellers love to relax in this amazing place. After all, this is where you can forget about the bustle of the city and enjoy the most beautiful nature.

Most of the territory of the Buzuluksky forest is occupied by grass and mossy pine forests. Rare trees, shrubs and herbs grow here.

Mountains of the Orenburg region

Mount Colonel is the most famous natural attraction of the city of Orsk (Orenburg region). The nature here is amazingly beautiful. Small hills rise above the quiet Oryu River. In addition, this place is famous for its unique deposits of jasper (a semi-precious multi-colored stone).
The Guberlinsky Mountains are located near the city of Orsk, in the southeastern part of the Southern Urals. Springs with crystal clear healing water originate here.
Red Mountain, located on the banks of the Sakmara River, is considered a unique monument of the Orenburg region. The life-size Belogorsk fortress was built here.
Mount Camel is located near the village. Donskoy. In recent years, the hill has been used for hang gliding.

Monuments of archeology and paleontology

Orenburg ancient monuments are surprisingly numerous and diverse. Almost the entire territory of the region is dotted with the remains of extinct sea and land animals, and in some corners traces of the first human settlements have survived.

Mount Zmeinaya

Coordinates: 51.421192, 55.404053.

A small mountain near the village of Belyaevka is not just another peak of the Southern Urals, but a most valuable monument of paleontology. Previously, there were many reptiles in the short grass on the slopes of the hill, so the mountain was dubbed Zmeinaya, although some Orenburg residents call it Khanskaya, or Khanova.

The steep slope is made of giant multi-colored slabs, in which ancient marine animals of the Jurassic period are forever frozen. The mountain has preserved so much diverse fossil fauna that research continues to this day.

Among the fairly common fossils like belemnites and ammonites, there are also rarer ones, for example, the bones of the sea lizard plesiosaur. At the suggestion of scientists, the state took the territory under its protection in order to preserve the precious finds.

Cemetery of pseudo-crocodiles

Coordinates: 51.593391, 53.647579.

On the outskirts of the village of Rassypnoye there is a deep ravine called Mayachnaya. The slopes of the ravine are fraught with many surprises. At first glance, this is an ordinary hill, but in fact it is a cemetery of ancient animals. Millions of years ago, lakes splashed in its place, in which all kinds of amphibians and reptiles swam. It was here that paleontologists discovered the remains of pseudosuchia, or pseudocrocodiles - the most ancient ancestors of dinosaurs.

These extinct animals resembled large crocodiles; they were distinguished from their descendants by longer vertical limbs. Pseudosuchians moved on land not by crawling, like modern reptiles, but on outstretched legs, like dogs. Bones and even entire skeletons of fossil creatures have been preserved in Rassypnoye. Among the finds is the skull of a labyrinthodont, a lizard-like amphibian from the Mesozoic era.

Åland settlement

Coordinates: 52.197000, 59.885117.

The existence of traces of an ancient city in the Kvarken region might not have been known if not for a happy accident. In 1987, specialists from Uralaerogeodesy carried out aerial photography in this area. Later, office employee A.E. Puchin, looking at the photographs, drew attention to a strange circle between the Suunduk and Solonchak rivers. Chelyabinsk archaeologists were informed about the curious find, and within a few months the first expedition to the ancient settlement was organized.

Archaeologists planned to carry out excavations, but soon the collapse of the USSR occurred, difficult times came for the whole country, and practically no money was allocated for science. I had to forget about a full-fledged study of the settlement.

The first excavations took place only at the beginning of the 2000s. Experts have established that the Åland settlement arose approximately 4,000 years ago; it was part of the “Country of Cities” system and was similar to the famous Arkaim. Dozens of artifacts have been preserved in the ground, such as tools made of stone, bone and bronze, fragments of pottery, as well as defensive ramparts, ruins of a stone fortress wall and ruins of dwellings.

Reservoirs

The Iriklinskoye Reservoir is one of the largest reservoirs of artificial origin in the Urals. It is considered a real landmark of the Orenburg region. The Iriklinskaya hydroelectric power station operates on the reservoir.
The Kumak reservoir is slightly smaller in size than the Iriklinsky reservoir. This artificial reservoir has become a favorite place for local residents. Sandy beaches, crystal clear water, interesting geological sites - all this creates excellent conditions for a summer holiday. In addition, there is a lot of fish in the reservoir, so hundreds of fishermen come here every year.
The Sakmara River is ideal for water tourism. Fast currents, clear water, many tributaries - all this is perfect for rafting.
The Ural is the largest river in the Orenburg region. It originates in the Republic of Bashkortostan, then continues its path through Russia and Kazakhstan and flows into the Caspian Sea. In the past, the river was navigable, but has now lost its strategic importance. Today the Urals are a favorite place for swimming for residents of the Orenburg region and tourists.