Eden Garden on a dead volcano, or field studies of the Chorna Hora (PHOTOS)

Chorna Hora is lonely, but so beautiful and fertile.

They say that this is just an island mountain, because it is not part of any mountain ranges, and it is a long extinct volcano.

In addition, it is also a botanical reserve of national importance, part of the Carpathian Biosphere Reserve, and a unique place where rare and endangered plants grow, including white-flowered ash, wild grapes and feather-grass. The latter can usually be found in Western Siberia, Kazakhstan, the Caucasus, Hungary, Spain, France.

The mountain does not deprive anyone of its generosity. For those, who can take care of it, it provides exotic plants: sweet persimmon, juicy pomegranates, bright kiwis…

At the very top of the mountain, under the hot sun, and thanks to hard daily work, a real fruit and berry garden has grown. It was made by the "Mistress of the Chorna Hora", Natalia Martyshynets-Babota.

She started with the grapes and then experimented with other fruit trees and shrubs, that have taken roots and feel at home here. And it is not surprising, because Vynogradiv district is the warmest district of Transcarpathia, and, probably, the volcanic origin of the mountain helps too.

The grape terraces strike with their colors and variety.

But while grapes are not uncommon in Transcarpathia, the persimmon plantation is indeed surprsing. The juicy sunny fruit is more typical of the tropics, but has taken roots well here. You can taste 24 varieties brought from Italy, Spain and France.

Figs are real treasure. They are not common in Transcarpathia, but are widespread in the countries of the Mediterranean, the Middle East and Central Asia.

Because of its high iodine content, it is even prescribed to people who have problems with the thyroid gland.

The pawpaw – a guest from Canada – also grows here. 

And also Ziziphus Unabi, the tree of youth and health, whose fruits are rich in ascorbic acid which is good for strengthening immunity. The hostess also wants to grow pistachios in the future.

This diversity is amazing and delightful, and given that it is an absolutely ecological product, because even the grapes are not treated with chemicals, we can truly say that the Chorna Hora treats us with gifts of nature. And also, here you feel so cozy and calm, under the protection of the mighty mountain, far from civilization and worries!