Velikoanadolskiy forest
Velikoanadolskiy Forest is a wide strip of plantations that stretches from the northwest to the southeast of Donetsk region, between the town of Volnovakha and the village of Blagodatnoye. The area of the state reserve is more than 2.5 thousand hectares. The founder of the forest is considered to be E.V. Gaff, who was the first to confirm the possibility of creating such a forest belt on the bare steppe, with little water resources.
General information
It was created for ten years, starting in 1834. In 1964 it became a protected area, and five years later, earned the status of a state wildlife preserve. Velikoanadolsky forest can be called a natural museum. More than a century old trees create beautiful landscape pictures. Oak, maple, hornbeam and ash predominate among the tree species. Birch, poplar and conifers are less common.
.Velikoanadolsky forest cannot leave anyone indifferent. Enchanting shady alleys alternate with beautiful forest edges, and dense forest plantations – with emerald meadows and lakes. On the territory of the reserve there is Velikoanadolsky Forestry College – one of the oldest in Ukraine.
.Walking along the alley from the technical school you can get to the bridge over the main park pond, which among locals is called “Lake of Love”. The place is very cozy and for a romantic date better just do not find. Velikoanadolskiy forest also has a place for exotics. On the territory there is a dendrological park, which from time to time is replenished with representatives of the flora of Asia, North America, Central and Northern Europe.
.
Since 1994, Velikoanadolye has a forest museum, which is part of the Donetsk Museum of Local Lore. It is the only such museum in Ukraine. The building of the museum has its own interesting history. It was built back in 1852 by order of the brother of Nicholas I as a meteorological observatory. The creator of the park Graff and his family lived in this house. In the museum you can see the main stages of the development of the forest, familiarize yourself with documents and Graff’s reports to the Forest Department of the Russian Empire.
.
But the reserve has not only aesthetic value. Not so long ago, on its territory was studied unique for the Eastern part of Ukraine source of radon waters. Radon is used to treat diseases of the musculoskeletal system, cardiovascular system, male and female infertility. Despite the fact that the healing spring was discovered quite a long time ago, its healing effect scientists have been able to prove only in recent decades.
.
