Secret life of the Carpathians
It is tempting to visit an ecologically clean place not spoiled by the influx of people. A new journey took me to the Carpathians. To the majestic Mount Trostyan and seething noisy rivers. I discovered a wonderful town called Slavske.
In summer, “green” tourists come to this resort village to take a break from the hustle and bustle, improve their health, and appreciate the beauty of the Carpathian nature. In winter, go skiing. Do not forget that one of the leading ski centers in the country used to be here.
You can get to the Slavske station from Kyiv by any train following in the Uzhgorod direction. Travel time is about eleven hours. The train arrives early in the morning. The station is small, located in the very center of the town. One side offers a view of the majestic Mount Trostyan. In the other - a gorge that goes somewhere into the distance. Meanwhile, the lungs are filled with the purest air, saturated with fresh aromas of herbs. Breathe easily and calmly.
And around the mountains. Fabulously mystical, they intoxicate and fascinate with their extraordinary beauty. I happened to watch the morning mist. Light at first, the haze slowly but rapidly envelops the mountain landscape. From what the surrounding world becomes more mysterious. Forest birds make piquant sounds. Everything around comes to life.
Quite recently, a new road was laid in Slavske. And this is the biggest attraction of the small town. Now it's a pleasure to ride on it. Driving by a car past cute houses and cottages growing like mushrooms, you can see where civilization is heading. At this moment, I want to go deeper into the mountains. Feel the soul of nature untouched by man. And make your vacation unforgettable.
I liked the hospitality and kindness of the hosts. And as soon as I settled in, I went with great pleasure to consider the sights of this house. There is a very beautiful well-groomed garden with rare exotic plants. Now the jasmine is in bloom and delicately fragrant. In hot weather, you can take a dip in the pool. There is a place for barbecue and barbecue.
And literally behind the house flows a mountain river. On normal days, she is quiet and calm. It even has fish in it. But after a heavy rain it spills with noise, which gives a special flavor to the area. Mount Trostyan can be seen in the distance - this is the real Carpathians.
Everywhere you can feel the caring hand of the owner. The house itself has a family atmosphere and comfort. The rooms of the manor are decorated in a rustic style.
Mine was one of the best. Huge and luxurious bed with orthopedic mattress. And also a TV, refrigerator, as well as a toilet room with a shower. In general, everything you need. Colorful paintings hang on the walls.
The kitchen is exclusively homemade. Delicious and varied food is always served fresh. A wonderful fragrant herbal tea is traditionally brewed in the morning. The smell of which was heard far beyond the living room. Special attention is drawn to the signature dish - mushroom soup made from porcini mushrooms. By the way, collected literally behind a fence in the forest.
Loved the bright living room. Especially a small living corner of stones on the walls with colorful little drawings. It's an artist's gimmick. There they leave their autographs.
The family of Oksana and Dmitry Arefyev has long been engaged in art tourism. And they treat art with great love. Their house has a special aura. Pictures hang everywhere. In rooms, corridors, in the dining room and even in the kitchen. They serve as a kind of guide for tourists who appreciate art visiting their home.
Artist friends often visit them. It's interesting to watch them work. Traditionally, after having breakfast and drinking coffee, they set off for the whole day to look for plots for their paintings. Being in the remote surroundings of mountains or rivers, they work wonders in the open air, transferring part of nature to their canvases. There they draw themselves.
Therefore, it is quite logical that it was in their house that the very idea of u200bu200bholding an open air was born. Under the patronage of the Lviv National Academy of Arts, with the assistance of the Maxim Culture and Sports Foundation, the Arefieva patrons provide a unique opportunity for talented people to come to their estate to work and relax.
In general, the word plein air in French means "work in the air. " Inspired by mother nature, artists paint their masterpieces with oil and bright acrylic paints, which makes their work unique. So, they express themselves. So, they are trying to understand and convey to their admirers the soul of nature.
The nature of the Carpathians is unique. It impresses with its beauty and originality. Not surprisingly, this is where the international center for the arts arose. Artists from all over Ukraine and from other countries come here. This year, the International Plein Air “Maxim” is being held at the Arefiev Estate for the sixteenth time. And the plein air ends with a grandiose exhibition "Mountains inspire".
But this is the end of just another meeting. Everyone is leaving for home. But, next year, many of them will return. To again touch the mysteries of nature. And feel the magic spell of the green mountains.
The next morning, I decided to take a walk along the steep paths through the cozy village. Here, quite imperceptibly, you can wander into the thicket of the forest. Enjoy the clean mountain air. Climb to the top of the mountain and see all the beauties of the innermost Carpathians from above.
And the preserved old houses evoke memories of the past. The history of the name of the village goes back to the battle of the brothers-princes Svyatopolk the Accursed and Svyatoslav that took place in 1015. After the death of the Grand Duke of Kiev Vladimir Svyatoslavich, a cruel fratricidal war began between his heirs. Svetopolk, nicknamed the Accursed, kills princes Boris and Gleb. Their brother Svyatoslav Vladimirovich flees to the Carpathians. But in the upper reaches of the Opir River, the envoys of Svyatopolk overtake Prince Drevlyansky. And kill him.
Today, over the river Opir near Slavskoe, a symbolic grave of the defeated Svyatoslav has been erected. According to one of the legends, in memory of his glorious warriors who settled in these places after the death of their prince, the village was named. And recently, a monument to the founders of the princes was erected next to the Maxim restaurant.
You can tell a lot about the life of this small town. Everyone who has vacationed here gets an incredible amount of impressions from the beauty of the Carpathian Mountains. It is worth coming here and admiring the enchanting nature of such an unforgettable corner of the earth.
They say your home is where you feel good. This small town managed to touch the string of my soul. I want to come back here again, because the Carpathians don’t let go so easily…
