Mysterious Bukovyna: Cliffs With Edelweiss and Healing Springs
Ukrainian Carpathians have always been one of the most beautiful and fantastic places of Ukraine. We will tell you only about some mysterious places of the Carpathians, which you should visit, even if you think you’ve seen everything.
Mysterious Chornyi Dil
Chornyi Dil Rock Ridge is located in the most beautiful and remote location in western Ukraine – the Chychyvyny Carpathians (Putylskyi District, Chernivtsi Region). It is located between the rivers Sarata and Perkalab. The ridge is a series of cliffs, completely covered by a thick pine forest. The maximum pitch of Chornyi Dil is 1493 meters. Here you can see picturesque 50-meter- high rock walls, completely covered with deep cracks. Surprisingly, the land still hasn’t been perfectly investigated, and tourists come here rarely. Nevertheless, recently a 300-meter-route for quad trips appeared in these places. Tourists liked the idea.
Chornyi Dil is also interesting by the fact that a rare flower of love grows there. It is edelweiss. Hutsuls call it “silk plait”.
According to beliefs, creatures of incredible beauty live in the mountains – flattering nymphs, rosy, with long silk braids. They jealously guard the flower. These nymphs come out of their shelters only under the cover of night and gather at the peak of the rock.
Secrets of Velykii Kamin
Another majestic and mysterious place is located nearby – the rock Velykyi Kamin [Eng. – Great Stone]. It is situated on the left bank of the river Sarata in front of the village Vereshchykha. Steep slopes make the peak of Big Stone almost inaccessible – even the locals do not risk climbing up. There is the rumor that it is inhabited by unprecedented live animals, bizarre snakes, and plants that possess incredible healing power. Among them, there is serpent grass (nicknamed as “zmiievon”), which can cure more than 70 diseases, and “Carpathian ginseng” (Gentiana lutea), called “dzhendzhura” by locals.
Even our ancestors were aware of the healing properties of gentian, and local healers used it over 2,000 years ago. Roots decoction is able to cope with a stomach ulcer, to improve appetite, digestion and increase acidity. In folk medicine, it is used for treating lung diseases, tuberculosis, and illnesses of the musculoskeletal system.
Also, dzhendzhura helps to heal purulent wounds faster and eczema, it normalizes sleep. Overall, it is almost a panacea.
Locals tell one more legend about a huge snake that ate small livestock. Nothing could help it! In the 40s, during the occupation of the territory, soldiers came across a bloody reptile in the mountains. But the bullets were powerless against this monster and only grenades deprived of his life. Yet, there are many poisonous snakes that can take away human life in the area to this day.
Healing spring of Ostryva Rock
This place is located in the village Dyhtynets of Putylskyi District of Chernivtsi region near the motorway at the route Putyla-Vyzhnytsia.
The cliff is 22-meter-high, while a rocky ridge stretches for 60 meters. The mounting range has a very unusual shape. Two huge cracks divided Ostryva into three parts. Two side parts remind profiles of mysterious Carpathian wood beings – Chugaisters, and the middle part looks like a huge pillar. Also, there are several rock caves, though not too big – just 3 meters long. Special attention, however, is attracted by a spring, coming out right of the massif. It is located in the northern part of the rock. Locals say that this water is healing and advise travelers to stop and drink some.