The seven stone pillars known as the Manpupuner rock formations (Man-Pupu-Nyor; Mansi: Мань-Пупыг-Нёр [manʲ.pupiɣ noˑr], literally ‘Small Idol Mountain’; Komi: Бoлвано-Из [bolvano iz], literally ‘Idol Stone’) are situated in the Troitsko-Pechorsky District of the Komi Republic, west of the Ural Mountains.
Situated between the Pechora and Ilych rivers, on the mountain Man-Pupu-nyor, they are part of the Pechoro-Ilychski Reserve. They go by the names Poles of the Komi Republic and Seven Strong Men Rock Formations. The Manpupuner rock formations, which are regarded as one of Russia’s Seven Wonders, are a well-liked tourist destination despite being mostly untouched by travel.
Description
The rocks range in height from 30 to 42 meters. High mountains formerly stood where the stone pillars are today, about 200 million years ago. The mountains were progressively eroded by heat, frost, wind, rain, and snow. The remnants are made of solid sericite-quartzite schists that have not eroded as much and are still in place today. Weathering eroded soft rocks, which were then dragged into depressions by wind and water.
The 34-meter-tall pillar is positioned slightly away from the rest. It’s like a bottle turned inside out. At the brink of the cliff are six more people. It is reported that the pillars resemble the head of a horse or ram, or the form of a gigantic man. Manpupuner has a lot of legends attached to it. Climbing the formations was long thought to be a sin since the Mansi people who live nearby revered them.
Fauna
Vivian lizards, squirrels, martens, sables, otters, stoats, American minks, brown bears, wolverines, and foxes may be found around the plateau.
Tourism
Road travel from the Komi Republic, trekking or skiing via the Dyatlov Pass from the Sverdlovsk area, or helicopter travel are the three ways to get to the formations. A automobile route from the Sverdlovsk Region was permitted up until 2004. It included stops at the Dyatlov Pass, the Otorten Mountain, and the Pechora River’s source. Two protected areas that run along the route, the Pechoro-Ilychsky Reserve and the Ivdelsky Reserve, formally outlawed it.
