NATURE-LEARNING AND GEO-ARCHEOLOGICAL ROUTES OF THE EASTERN PART OF LVIV

Abstract

Geomorphological and geological features of the eastern part of Lviv have been analyzed. A new, extremely picturesque and informative tourist, recreational and geo-educational route has been developed, namely “Chatovi Rocks – Vynnykivske Lake –Medova Pechera”, which forms an extension of “Vysokyi Zamok – Chatovi rocks” tourist route. Picturesque relief, exposure of sediments of various ages and genesis, as well as rich archeological monuments occurring along the routecan perform educational, educational, cognitive, ecological, and aesthetic functions. Archaeological memorials, little known to the general public, are extremely valuable, too, because they illustrate the history of populating the city of Lviv and its neighborhood. Mostly inanimate objects located along the route are well accessible for exploration; however, today they are not very popular among Lviv residents. This is primarily due to the lack of proper infrastructure – marked trails, information stands, etc. Anthropogenic impact on the objects located along the proposed route is extremely diverse and large-scale. Some sites (such as Chatovi Rocks and Medova Pechera) are affected heavily, as they are actively used for hiking, mountaineering, etc. Others (for example, Zhupan and Lysivka archeological monuments) virtually do not experience it. The monuments of Mlynivtsi I and II are exposed to the greatest threat, up to complete destruction. They are endangered due to the extensive construction of a new sports and recreation complex, deployed around Vynnykivsky Lake. The refore, the condition of these facilities needs to be monitored continuously. On the other hand, the said complex will open up new prospects for the use of picturesque relief, complex geomorphological and geological structure of the eastern part of Lviv in the future recreational and geo-educational activities. There is no doubt that the new center of attraction, created by the sports and recreation complex, will increase the attendance of Vynnykivsky Forest Park. Therefore, the need to establish appropriate tourist, recreational, geo-educational infrastructure along “Chatovi Rocks – Vynnykivske Lake – Medova Pechera” route is obvious today. Key words: nature-learning and geo-archeological route; Upper Cretaceous marls; Neogene sands and sandstones; woods, travertines; archeological monuments.