Chatyr-Tau is one of the highest mountain formations in Tatarstan. It is a flat plateau with a height of about 320 meters above sea level, along with the slopes of the ridge. The highest mountain of Tatarstan is located in the east of the republic, 5 kilometers from the nearest settlement - the city of Aznakaevo. “Chatyr-Tau” in translation from one of the dialects of the ancient Turkic language means “tent-mountain”. Its view from afar really resembles a tent - a traditional dwelling among the eastern peoples. At the foot of the mountain flows the river Stärle, into which many underground springs flow.
Features of Chatyr Tau
Despite the fact that geographical maps often designate Chatyr-Tau as a ridge, in its historical essence it is not such. This relief formation is the only one that rises in the territory of the state under the name of the Republic of Tatarstan. A high mountain was formed due to erosion of nearby valleys. While mountain ranges arise due to the movement of lithospheric plates, the occurrence of folds at their borders or the activity of the bowels of the earth.
How did the formation of Chatyr-Tau happen? This mountain stands out for its height among the valleys that surround it. This was facilitated by several factors, in particular, soil erosion, which led to the collapse of the valleys. And the place where the high mountain is located (Tatarstan), the photo of which is in the article, remained undestructed. Currently, the relief formation covers an area of 41.5 square kilometers.
Flora and fauna
The flora of the reserve is interesting. A variety of flowering plants, such as bubble astragalus with bright purple petals, primrose adonis, attract travelers and tourists from all over the region.
Since the spread out around a lowland mountain is considered to be steppe, the animal world here is typical for such climatic zones. Rodents prevail, such as marmots, gray hamsters, mole rats and steppe pestle. Chatyr-Tau is the highest mountain of Tatarstan, which is considered the northern border of the limits of the habitat of these animals. Small snakes are found in large numbers here. Together with the adjacent plains, Chatyr-Tau forms a regional nature reserve.
Sacred animal
The colony of marmots living on all slopes of the mountain is the largest in number in the republic. Among nationalities preaching Islam, this species is considered to be a kind of sacred animal. Urbanization does not bring harm to them, despite the search for oil work, which is carried out nearby. High mountain (Tatarstan) is great for their existence. The animals have few natural enemies. Rare individuals of burial eagles appear at the foot of the mountain, which threaten this species.
Take a look at the story
Three centuries ago, copper was mined on the slopes of the mountain. Kazan Tatars lived in the local surroundings, industrializing the refinement of this metal. They formed a small settlement with cult mosques. Roads for the movement of freight vehicles were laid to large cities of that time from these places.
Unique places
There are not confirmed, but not refuted myths that for some time the highest mountain of Tatarstan was a haven for the army led by the peasant Emelyan Pugachev. They equipped a parking lot on its slopes.
Abandoned adits to this day attract fans of various kinds of extreme tourism, the essence of which is to spend time underground, and the mountain itself is used as a launching pad by para- and hang gliders of the republic.
Another belief tells that in the bowels of the mountain are hidden weapon treasures, possibly dating back to the epochs of the Golden Horde. The status of the reserve does not allow full archaeological excavations here, but this place attracts lovers of such ethnic groups.
What is hidden in the bowels of Chatyr-Tau?
Among the useful resources that the highest mountain of Tatarstan is rich in, in addition to copper mines and oil deposits, it is worth noting the steppes that are so important in arid conditions as underground water. Possessing a characteristic copper flavor, according to a number of beliefs, it cures of various diseases. This fact is quite explainable from a medical, that is, a scientific point of view: copper has long been famous for its healing properties. Unfortunately, the main deposits of this natural wealth are also located deep in the bowels of the mountain; therefore, it is not possible to organize a resort area here using the example of the Caucasian Mineral Waters region.
Since Chatyr-Tau stood out as a separate mountain as a result of the decay of the Ural Range in this place more than 250 million years ago, there are minerals characteristic of the Ural mountains . These are ornamental and semiprecious stones: lapis lazuli, malachite. On the stones, whose age amounts to several tens of millions of years, the imprints of prehistoric plants characteristic of these places in the Permian era of the planet's development have been preserved.
To summarize
Despite the ethnographic, environmental, and simply aesthetic appeal of these places, organized tourism is poorly developed here. The remoteness of settlements and the lack of infrastructure attract here mainly single lovers of outdoor activities. The highest mountain of Tatarstan is surrounded by unspoiled nature. Here you can meet tourists with tents and other enthusiasts of their craft.
A special contribution to the description of the natural attractiveness of Chatyr-Tau belongs to the geographer and traveler P.S. Pallas, who in the 18th century spent a lot of time in these places, studying not only the geographical features of the complex, but also collecting legends and legends from local residents.