Russia Weathering Pillars
The Pillars of the Weathering are a breathtaking natural attraction located in the Komi Republic region of Russia. The seven towering pillars approximately 98 feet to 137 feet (30 – 42 meters) in height are some of the most spectacular geographic formations known to mankind. Though, designated one of the Seven Wonders of Russia, the Pillars of Weathering are relatively little known outside the country and hence largely untainted by teeming tourists. The Manpupuner rock formations pose one of the toughest challenges to rock climbers across the world due to their massive height and unique shapes.
According to an ancient Russian legend, the Pillars of Weathering were once a group of Samoyeds giants heading towards Siberia with the intent of calling to war the Vogulsky people. The sight of the holy Vogulsky Mountains made their leader drop his drum and turned them into these giant monoliths exuding massive power and a stern deportment.
It is often suspected that the Pillars of Weathering were built by the Mansi community which inhabited the Troitsko-Pechersk district of Russia, north of the Ural mountains, but it seems more likely that they are the result of frost and weathering on what may have been huge boulders or mounds.
The existence of many legends among the Mansi, the Kopi, and the Russians is proof enough that these stone giants have captured the imaginations of people since ancient times. The Pillars of Weathering have come a long way from being a sacred place of worship to become a great tourist destination.
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One of the many wonders of Russia are certainly weathered poles, which are located on the ridge Man-Pupu-Ner (North Urals).
Science explains the origin of the pillars is quite simple: the brittle rocks, which were in their place millions of years ago, is gradually destroyed by the action of the elements, and turned into a solid 7 amazing statues, whose height ranges from 30 to 42 meters.
It is difficult to believe in the natural character of this unique phenomenon. Name of the hill is the language of the Munsee tribes "Little Mountain idols", and its beauty and majesty sung in local legends.
Such a boundless country as Russia includes a great number of amazing sights and natural anomalies. Northern Urals is famous for a beautiful and full of mystery place called a plateau Manpupuner. A unique geological monument known as Pillars of weathering or Mansi idiots is situated here, in the Troitsko-Pechorsky district of the Komi Republic in the area between the rivers Ichotlyaga and Pechora. These unusual stone sculptures are the hallmark of the Urals.
Six stone statues are located on the same line, the seventh one (34 m) – at a little distance from the others. Their height varies from 30 to 42 meters. Hard to imagine that 200 million years ago, they were impassable mountains, but what was created by nature, was destroyed in the same way – scorching sun, strong winds and prolonged downpours gradually ruined the Ural Mountains. This explains the name – “pillars of weathering”. Scientists call these pillars buttes. They consist of hard-sericite quartzite schists, so they were able to survive to the present day.
Numerous legends are related to the pillars of weathering, since ancient times, in the period of paganism, they were objects of worship of Mansi. It was the greatest sin to climb the Manpupuner and only shamans had a permit to get here. The name of the mountain “Man-Pupu-n?r” can be translated from the language of the Mansi “small mountain of idols”.
One of the numerous legends says that once these stone statues were people from the tribe of giants. One day, one of them wanted to marry a beautiful daughter of the Mansi leader, but was refused. The giant was offended, and in a fit of anger, he decided to attack the village where the girl lived. When the giant with his relatives were already near the village, the girl’s brother turned them into giant boulders with the help of weapon enchanted by good spirits.
Other legend says about giants who ate human flesh. They were terrible and invincible. Once the giants decided to pass the Ural Ridge in order to feast by the Mansi tribe, but the local shamans called on the spirits and they turned the abusers into stones. Many sources have clarifications that the last giant tried to escape, but he was also caught by a terrible fate. This fact explains why the seventh stone is located further away from the rest.
If you want to see this mysterious place with your own eyes, it would be very difficult. Your path will lie across the seething river, through the deep taiga, under heavy winds and freezing rains. It is a difficult journey even for seasoned travelers. At some times of the year you can get here only by a helicopter. This region belongs to the Pechora-Ilych Nature Reserve, and if you want to visit the area you need to get a special permit. But it’s definitely worth the effort. The Pillars of weathering are considered to be one of the 7 Wonders of Russia.
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