Golosov Ravine

Stone veneration in Kolomenskoe

Golosov Ravine (Голосов Овраг), also known as Vlasov (Власов) ravine is a deep ravine located in Moscow, Russia. It is situated between the Kolomenskoe Hill and Dyakovo Hill and contains several springs and a brook at its bottom. On the left side of the ravine, there is a Neopagan shrine that centers around two revered "sacred stones". In 2006–2007, while Kolomenskoye was being reconstructed, efforts were made to strengthen the edges of the ravine. This included the construction of sturdy pathways and stairs along the sides of the ravine, making it more accessible and safe for visitors.

Overview

Located in the southern part of Moscow is the notable village of Kolomenskoye, which has transformed into a captivating historical public open space. It covers an area of over 250 hectares. The symbol of this park is the Church of the Ascension, which is included in the Lists of World Heritage Sites of UNESCO. Every day, about 10,000 people come to admire this recreation area, and they are attracted not only by the unique architectural monuments but also by the numerous mysteries that the former summer residence of the Russian tsars still holds. Where can one find the Lost Library of Ivan the Terrible, and is it possible to "jump" into the past by descending into Golosov Ravine.

For a significant period of time, Golosov Ravine has been a subject of numerous myths and folklore. This geological feature previously acted as a natural barrier, separating the villages of Kolomenskoye and Dyakovo, and presently serves as a dividing line within the park itself. The beauty of this place is truly mesmerizing. It is astonishing to discover that amidst the bustling and vibrant city of Moscow, there exists a tranquil sanctuary nestled at the depths of a meandering ravine, accompanied by the gentle flow of a petite stream. At first, it may seem that natural features like streams and ravines are ordinary and uninteresting, especially since they can be found in urban parks. However, what is intriguing is the mysterious fascination surrounding Golosov ravine, as it has become the center of numerous legends and distinct characteristics that are only connected to it.

History

Throughout history, this ravine has consistently been the site of inexplicable occurrences. It has intrigued and captivated all who encounter it, hosting an enduring enigma that defies rational explanation. One remarkable tale was documented in historical sources from the 17th century. In 1621, a group of Crimean Tatars on horseback materialized unexpectedly before the fortified walls encompassing the Tsar's palace in Kolomna. The archers guarding the entrance to the palace easily captured them as the horsemen made no resistance, appearing confused and downcast. Subsequently, during the course of their interrogation, it was unveiled that the horsemen were affiliated with the military forces of the Crimean Khan Devlet I Giray, whose armies had embarked on a daring expedition to conquer the city of Moscow in the fateful year of 1571. However, their efforts were ultimately thwarted, leading to the conflagration of Moscow and their own harrowing defeat. To avoid being chased by the opposing forces, the cavalry troop decided to take shelter in Golosov ravine, which was enveloped in a peculiar mist that blanketed its floor. After a short time of riding their horses along the ravine floor, the horsemen believed they had successfully escaped their pursuers. They cautiously emerged from their hiding spot, but were taken aback to found themselves at the front door of the palace that seemed to have materialized out of nowhere, even though the ravine was situated in the middle of an open field. The Tsar's inquirers stood bewildered as they tried to comprehend the situation at hand. Their confusion stemmed from the fact that Khan Devlet-Giray, who had been mentioned, had passed away over four decades ago. They couldn't fathom how it was possible for the soldiers belonging to his army to still be present in Golosov ravine. In fact, the invasion of Devlet-Giray took place in 1571, half a century before the current events being discussed. At that time, Ivan the Terrible was the reigning monarch, but now Mikhail Fyodorovich held the position of power. One of the captives, named Murza, made an observation that the mist surrounding them had a peculiar light green hue. However, amidst their fear of being pursued, they did not pay much attention to this unusual phenomenon. The whole situation was incredibly bizarre, as the soldiers' equipment did not align with the armament typically used during that era. Instead, their weapons and armor seemed to belong to a much earlier period, specifically ranging from the 1560s to the 1570s.

This was not the only reported case of time travel that occurred near Golosov Ravine. There have been multiple instances of time travel reported near the ravine that remain unsolved to this day. The archives are brimming with countless documented accounts of individuals vanishing under mysterious circumstances from the villages in the vicinity of Kolomenskoye, Sadovniki, Novinki, and other nearby areas. According to historians, in 1832, the well-known newspaper "Moskovskie Vedomosti" documented a strikingly similar story to the one mentioned previously. It described the disappearance of two peasants, namely Arkhip Kuzmin and Ivan Bochkarev, in 1810, and their surprising reappearance 22 years later, specifically in July 1832. The peasants were making their way back home late at night after a visit to the nearby village of Dyakovo, with their destination set as the village of Sadovniki. Intoxicated from drinking alcohol, the men were eager to get home quickly as soon as possible and were considering crossing the well-known ravine. The mist, with a tinge of greenish hue, seemed to possess an otherworldly quality, intensifying the sense of foreboding that hung in the air. All of a sudden, a brightly lit hallway with a gentle green glow materialized before them. Upon entering, they encountered some large, hairy beings that resembled humans and seemed willing to assist, yet their true nature and motives remained uncertain. Through nonverbal cues, they conveyed to the villagers that they had inadvertently fallen into "a parallel world" akin to their own and that it would be difficult for them to return, but they expressed their willingness to help. Eventually, the villagers came out from the misty ravine and kept going on their path. When they finally went back to their village, they found out that a really long time had passed, over twenty years to be precise. Their wives and children had gotten much older, so they looked very different and it was hard to recognize them. The police became involved in the matter, opting to reconstruct the events. During their investigative experiment, one of the men inexplicably vanished into the mist once again and never reappeared. This deeply saddened the other man, ultimately leading him to the tragic decision of taking his own life. The incident was published in the newspaper Moskovskie Vedomosti in July 1832.

For centuries, there have been reports of unusual hairy creatures resembling humans in and around the ravine from both residents of the area and visitors. These encounters have been documented in ancient and medieval records, as well as in the daily Soviet newspapers. These woodland creatures are believed to be Leshy, a creature from Slavic folklore similar to Bigfoot, but more like a forest spirit than a regular animal. Back in 1926, a local law enforcement officer had an extraordinary encounter with a "savage" in a dense mist that obscured the surroundings. This being possessed an imposing physique, standing at an astonishing height of approximately 2.5 meters (roughly equivalent to 8.2 feet), was covered in thick hair, giving the impression of having lived in the wild for a long time. The officer, startled, reached for his service pistol and readied himself to shoot, but the peculiar being swiftly disappeared into the mist. In an attempt to locate this mysterious visitor, children from the nearby school joined the search, yet no evidence of its presence could be found. However, the officer's story was thoroughly investigated and later published in a daily Moscow newspaper, titled "Young Pioneers Are Trying to Catch Leshy," written by journalist A. Ryazantsev.

In the present day, it is widely rumored that instances of individuals vanishing still persist, yet these cases inexplicably remain largely undisclosed to the public. For example, in 2018, two school children got lost in the ravine. Again the mist, again a lapse in time. Despite their parents' disbelief, the children claimed to have been in the fog for around thirty minutes, eventually spotting the Church of the Ascension and using it as a point of reference to escape. Upon their return, they discovered that extensive search efforts had been conducted for them, including searches in morgues with the assistance of dogs and police.

Hypothetical explanation attempts

Paranormal explanation

According to Vadim Chernobrov, an expert in researching paranormal occurrences, there is evidence to suggest that the ravine possesses a gateway to an alternate dimension. The rate at which time flows within this ravine can be accurately determined by employing a specialized device known as a chronometer. This advanced instrument is capable of measuring even the tiniest fluctuations in time, down to hundredths and thousandths of a second. "During our investigations of this ravine, we conducted several measurements and encountered multiple instances of chronoanomalies, albeit relatively minor ones," Chernobrov stated. These deviations are so minuscule that they cannot be sensed or perceived by humans. Nonetheless, Chernobrov speculates that certain external factors could potentially amplify this temporal disparity.

Golosov ravine has been associated with enchanting qualities for centuries, with its mystical reputation dating back to ancient times. According to the knowledgeable guide named Mikhail Yushkevich, the indigenous pagan tribes residing in this region believed that the ravine served as a gateway to an alternate realm. As time passed, a captivating legend emerged, recounting a historical battle between the valiant George the Victorious and a formidable serpent (see Saint George and the Dragon), with the ravine supposedly emerging from the very spot where the serpent's colossal tail struck the earth.

Natural explanation

Geologists have a different perspective on the origin of Golosov ravine compared to the popular "fairy tale" version. Their data suggests that the ravine is actually a modified valley that was once part of an ancient river network, formed as a result of the river drying up. This means that the stones found at the bottom of the ravine most likely traveled from a distant location to end up in the capital. These stones were potentially transported by a slow-moving glacier near the Karelian Isthmus. Whether this theory holds true or not, some of these boulders have already gained a significant amount of legends and beliefs surrounding them.

From a geological perspective, it is also worth noting that Moscow is situated in the center of the Eastern European Plain and boasts a robust geological composition. Nevertheless, it is important to acknowledge the presence of significant faults in Moscow, with the largest one running beneath the ravine. This fault emits powerful jets of radiation, while the ravine itself is positioned in a strictly east-west direction, seemingly impacting the integrity of the natural magnetic field in the surrounding environment.

In 1995-1996, scientists from the Prokhorov Institute of General Physics of the Russian Academy of Sciences conducted measurements of the electromagnetic field in close proximity to the ravine. The findings were rather unexpected: it was discovered that the electromagnetic field in the ravine exceeded the reference value by a staggering factor of 12, while it was 27 times higher in the vicinity of the "sacred" stones. Curiously, a cell phone may experience sudden battery drainage in the ravine, and the compass needle may deviate towards the epicenter of the ravine instead of pointing north.

The sacred stones

The "sacred stones of Kolomenskoe" are a pair of local sandstone rocks of peculiar shape, located high in the ravine. Some sources mistakenly suggest that they are glacial granite boulders, but this is not accurate. Both rocks show evidence of human manipulation, both in the past (as their shapes have been exaggerated) and in the present (as they have been vandalized with modern graffiti). Originally, the stones were situated closer to the springs in the ravine, but they were relocated to their current position during one of the park's renovations in the Soviet era.

The ancient shrine of Veles

According to a recently popularized theory, it is believed that Golosov Ravine may have originally been home to a sacred site dedicated to the Slavic deity Veles. This theory suggests that the name of Veles can be traced to the modern name of the ravine, such as Golosov or Vlasov, which evolved from Veles. Over time, it is possible that this shrine underwent Christianization, with local inhabitants interpreting the stones within the ravine as remnants of a legendary battle between St. George, the patron saint of Moscow, and a fearsome dragon. This reinterpretation allowed for the preservation of the ancient mythological motif, albeit under new names. This particular aspect can be delved into more extensively in this section of the article focused on Veles.

Modern veneration practices

The stones have their own names: one is called Deviy (or Devichiy, Russian: Девий, Девичий, meaning "Virgin"), and is associated by modern worshipers with giving fertility to women, while the other one is called Gus’ (Гусь, meaning "Goose"). According to local legends, these trees possess the ability to heal specific ailments, which is why individuals flock to sit beside them. Additionally, people engage in the practice of attaching small scraps of cloth onto the surrounding trees as a form of ritualistic offering.

History of the veneration

Based on certain sources, it has been suggested that the stones did not receive consistent reverence from the people living in the area during the 20th century. This lack of continuous veneration raises the possibility that the tradition surrounding these stones may have experienced interruptions or changes, deviating from the established practices that were observed in the past, although the exact nature of these practices remains uncertain.

Springs

The nearby springs are also considered sacred (miracle-bearing) in contemporary Eastern Orthodoxy, Neopagan and New-Age traditions. Before the Revolution of 1917 there was a wooden chapel standing on top of (or near?) the springs, which implies that the springs were considered "sacred" or "holy" in the past as well. Several springs have (or had) their own names: Kadochka (literally: "Little Tub"; seemingly the most venerated one, with its sub-springs associated with St. George and Our Lady of Kazan); Peter and Paul's spring; the spring of the 12 apostles; St. Nicholas spring. Some of these springs were destroyed during the recent renovation works in the ravine.

Diviy Stone surface