Slovenski Springs
Anastassia Vavilova, Senior group, Moscow, Russia
Translation: JA Russia
 It’s hard to overestimate the role of water. Water virtually determines our world’s existence. Water has always been of great interest to me. Traveling much together with my class, I have always been thinking about the importance of sites connected with water and also about whether we, people, fully realize the significance of this natural phenomenon.
In winter our class traveled to Pskov and Pskov region. We visited a variety of sites located in the area: Pushkinsky Hills, villages Mikhailovskoje and Trigorskoje, as well as such settlements as Izborsk and Pechory.
I was particularly amazed by Izborsk, located over 30 kilometers to the west from Pskov. The area neighboring with this site is rich with springs, each having its own name: Talavsky, Il’insky, Bogoroditsky, Slovensky, and Nikolsky.
 The most powerful springs come out mostly on the western slope of the Izborsko-Mal’skaya valley, because the ground water current is directed to the east. These are the so called Slovensky Springs, also known as the Springs of the Twelve Apostles. The first records of this site dates back to the 17th century. That is how it is described in the Book of the Big Charts – the eldest geographic description of Russia’s lands: «In thirty versts (the old Russian measure of distance equal to 1.6 kilometers) to the west from Pskov there is Izborsk located on Slovensky Springs».
These springs have been spouting for thousands of years, and it is really amazing. They belong to the karstic type. The water intake proceeds on the territory of three-four kilometers. Flowing through limestone and clay layers water filters and purifies while there is lots of calcium and mineral salts left over. Mineralization is sufficiently great, as well as intensity of water emission – up to 4 liters every second.
From ancient times the healing and wonder-working power of Slovensky Springs has been esteemed by a great number of palmers coming here from all parts of Russia. The site inspired many legends. One of them refers to the occasion when once the springs dried up. One pious young man, whose deeply loved and respected mother died shortly before, started praying at nights asking for giving water to Izborsk. Once in his dream he heard that water will reappear if citizens will name the springs after the Twelve Apostles and hold a thanksgiving service. That was exactly what happened.
As legends say, all those who drink the spring water here are endowed with beauty, health and happiness. Slovensky Springs spout from the bank of the Gorodishenskoje Lake. They present a fascinating spectacle coming out of crevices of the limestone rock overgrown by trees and bushes. Water flows crush and join in a stream that falls into the lake.
 The entire ensemble of Slovensky springs consists of 12 springs. Each spring is very special: one helps to keep good health, another – to preserve youth, the next one – gives true love. However nobody knows what exactly is each particular spring granting. That is why one needs to have a drink from all springs. And water is really delicious, transparent and cold!
Each of us had a drink from Slovensky springs. Certainly we got soaking wet, but no one was upset or concerned about catching cold. It was so beautiful there, and although our visit was in the winter we saw wonderful snow-white swans in the lake. It’s a shame only few tourists know about this place – everybody who visits Pskov and Pskov region should see Slovensky Springs!
My classmates and I fell in love with the place, and now we know that our country is rich in such wonders of nature. We also learned that if you wish, you could find a beautiful site quite near and enjoy an unforgettable experience similar to one we gained from our visit to Slovensky Springs in the Pskov region.
‘The Village Krutsy in the Novorzhev area’
Valeria Yaichnikova, Junior group, Novorzhev, Pskov region, Russia
Translation: JA Russia
Beautiful nature and historic flavor.
No wonder that travel and tourism is the most dynamic global industry. One of the reasons is that many tourists are motivated by a strong need to escape from the bustle and tension of urban life and tend to go to the countryside more and more often.
Wonderful and picturesque sites of the Novorzhev area never better meet the need for rest and relaxation for greater numbers of people drawn towards the countryside. The area also has a potential of attraction for those who enjoy visiting historic sites. However only few nature and history fans are yet aware of Novorzhev area and all wonders it can offer. Many efforts are to be done to put the area attractions in proper order and beautify them. In the long run these efforts will prove their value.
Do you want to discover one more marvelous borough, possibly connected with the name and life of Alexander Sergyevich Pushkin?
Do you want to enjoy fresh air and calm?
Do you want to admire spectacular sites?
Then you are welcome to visit our village Krutsy located on the old Novorzhev road to Porkhov-Hill.
Imagine. A sharp turn between two ponds.
 
Another turn, and yet another one… now you can see a two-storied stone house surrounded by high trees. Why is it here? It appears that in the 18th century Russian Emperor Paul I granted this property to prosecutor general Petr Khrisanovich Obel’yaninov, who later became the marshal of nobility in Moscow.
Near the estate there is a large park - around 250 meters long and over 150 meters wide – separated from the surrounding fields by earth mound 1-1, 5 meters height. The mound is lined with acacia, lilac, jasmine, and hawthorn. The park layout is known to belong to the famous architect Kvarengi. The central lane is of larches, the lane of firs goes by. Totally there are over 900 firs in the park.
Two old trees – a larch and a lime used to stand at the park entrance, like guards. The larch (over 2 meters in circumference) is still on guard, while the lime tree (over 4 meters in circumference) dropped recently after lasting two centuries.
The manor was built on the high northern bank of the large pond. Altogether there used to be seven ponds. Water level went down cascading. Gremyachy stream that used to flow by the ravine was dammed by watermill. The dam helped filling the big pond while the rest ponds were supported by springs. All ponds were separated by dikes and decorated by small bridges over gutters.
The ruined dam does not function any more. The big pond was lost - you can only guess where it used to be seeing a stone wall near the manor and what was left of the steps to walk down to the water. The two storied house for servants remained and is still drawing attention, making one wonder – why is it here.
You may think it is a sad story, but the place is so strikingly beautiful, that you cannot help planning how it could be transformed into a wonderful destination for visitors seeking relaxation and interested in nature and history. Trees and bushes could be trimmed and pruned. Lanes – refined, ponds, dam and watermill – restored. It is possible to overhaul the remaining buildings, put benches, and build pavilions. It is also possible to develop a small hotel and recreate the interior of the 18th century. Attractive landscape, unspoilt nature and historic flavor joined here to provide great potential for developing a much-needed countryside tourism site.
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