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DestinationRepublic of Mari El, Volzhsky district, Mari Chodra National Park
The Pugachev oak is a large tree, one of the main attractions of the Mari Chodra National Park. In 1969, the oak was declared a valuable forest site of historical significance, and in commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the Pugachev Uprising in 1974, a memorial stone was erected on this site. In April 2013, the tree was awarded the official status of a wildlife monument.
The height of the tree from the ground is 26 meters, and the trunk diameter is 1.6 meters. According to previous research, the tree began to grow around 1500. New research from 2013 dates the beginning of growth to around 1600.
According to local legends, in 1774, a detachment of Yemelyan Pugachev stayed near the oak tree for the night before his offensive on Kazan. From the top of this tree, the dashing chieftain watched the Kazan townships burning in flames, set on fire by his army. Then he continued along the Kokshaisk highway to Kokshaisk, where the Mari peasants helped him cross the Volga. After the defeat of Pugachev's troops, local detachments returned to their native land. There is a legend that they carried with them unheard-of riches looted in Kazan. Because they were being chased by the tsarist troops, many treasures were hidden in remote forests or drowned in lakes. One of the treasures was buried near the famous oak tree. However, according to legend, anyone who touches these treasures will face a terrible spell — instant death.
There is no doubt in this whole story that the old road from Tsarevokokshaysk (now the city of Yoshkar–Ola) to Kazan passed here, therefore it is very possible that one of the detachments of the rebellious Mari people who went to help Pugachev in Kazan could have moved along this road.
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