Natural landscapes
The cross-border Cahul-Reni-Galați border is beautiful and very attractive for tourists, rich in magnificent tourist objectives: endless vineyards, reservations, natural monuments, rivers, lakes, etc. The cross-border region of Cahul-Reni-Galați is exceptional, each territorial administrative unit, in part, having its unusual specificity. Every tourist will find for himself many picturesque places in this region.
If you haven’t arrived in these wonderful places yet, here are some ideas for the most beautiful natural landscapes in the region, which will serve as inspiration and motivation to visit them.
NATURAL LANDSCAPES IN CAHUL DISTRICT
The “Prutul de Jos” Scientific Reserve was created for the conservation of a representative aquatic and meadow natural complex located in the Prut riverbed, at the confluence with the Danube river. The reservation is located in the Prut river meadow, the western part of Slobozia Mare village, and has an area of 1755.4 ha. The reservation includes Lake Beleu with an area of 628 ha (1/3 of the area of the reservation). The vegetation includes over 193 species of plants, 189 species of birds, 34 species of mammals, 7 species of reptiles, 11 species of amphibians, 27 species of fish.
The possibilities of visiting the Rserve are varied and depend on the available time of the visitors, on their age category, as well as on the hydrological level of Beleu Lake.
The administration of the reservation offers visitors two routes: one land and one water.
On November 13, 2018, the reservation was registered in the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves, becoming the first biosphere reserve established in the Republic of Moldova.
Contact details: s.Slobozia Mare, Cahul district, “Prutul de Jos” Nature Reserve Tel./Fax: 029960503; 062122295
The nature monument “Aflorimentul de la Văleni” is a state-protected natural area. It covers an area of 3 ha, 0.5 km south of Văleni village, on the eastern slope of the Prut river valley. The outcrop is the place where rocks or minerals appear on the surface of the earth due to erosion or their artificial discovery, geological opening.
Here live 14 species of rare steppe plants included in the Red Book of Moldova.
It is also known as the “Golden Hills” or “Golden Hills”.
Other areas protected by the state are:
- “Baurci – Români” forest nature reserve
- “Vadul lui Isac” forest nature reserve
- “Flămânda” forest nature reserve
- “Liceul Bolgrad” Nature Reserve
- The ravines from Văleni
- The “Tartaul Ravine” or “Boierescu Ravine”
LAKES AND RIVERS
Aquatic surfaces have always been points of attraction either thanks to the landscapes they offer, due to the fauna and flora they host, or for the leisure activities that can be practiced on their premises.
Near the villages of Slobozia Mare and Văleni, in the district of Cahul, is Lake Beleu. Based on it, the “Prutul de Jos” nature reserve was created, which is a heaven for pond birds, fish, animals, and plants, many of which are included in the Red Book of the Republic of Moldova.
Lake Beleu, occupies 628 ha or 1/3 of the area of the Prutul de Jos reservation. This is a relic of the Danube and is over 5-6 thousand years old and has been, over time, the source of survival of the locals. Its depth varies between 0.5 and 2 m, its length – 5 km, and its width – 2 km. The lake is a resting place for many migratory water and pond birds. The fauna of the lake is represented by about 198 species of animals and 140 species of birds. Among the rare species of mammals found here, we can mention the otter, the wild cat, the European mink, etc.
Lake Beleu is in fact a miniature Danube delta, with a lot of water and vegetation, having the status of a wetland of international importance. A really special phenomenon can be observed when several thousand pelicans come for about 2-3 weeks. Herds of common pelicans appear annually on Beleu, where they consume significant amounts of fish from the lake. After resting here for a while, the pelicans continue on their way to the Danube Delta.
“Thanks” to the pandemic, many visitors from all over the country, “noticed” this “unexpected” oasis of peace and wilderness which is thus becoming an important tourist attraction.
Lake Manta is the largest lake in the Republic of Moldova with an area of 2100 ha and a paradise for water-loving creatures, such as the cormorant, the white stork, the egret, the white stork, the heron, the gray heron, the Eurasian coot, the common crane, the pelican, the seagull, the swans, the raccoons, the nutria, the ground squirrel, the fox, the wild cat, the water snails, mussels, turtles, wild boar, deer, white water lily, yellow water lily, water mink, and other plant and animal species contained in the Red Book of Moldova.
From the hill of Manta village, the ponds of Manta lake in the Prut meadow can be seen in the palm of your hand: Bădelnicul, Dracile, Rătundul, Lişteavul, Bătcăriile, Tinosul; the ravines – Balacea, Ciortul, Surda. Everywhere reeds, ridges, islands (islets), and floating islands.
Other aquatic resources:
- The Salt Lake of Cahul
- The Prut river
- The Frumoasa River
- The Larga River
- The Cahul River
The Ramsar area “Lakes of the Lower Prut”, was the first designated Ramsar area in the Republic of Moldova in 2000 and is located between the town of Cahul and the village of Giurgiulesti. This wetland is internationally recognized for its bird habitat, as well as for its aquatic plants and animals. It is one of the 1,600 wetlands in the Ramsar Convention
NATURAL LANDSCAPES IN GALAȚI COUNTY
Water lilies on Lake Beleu. Photo by Victor Pictor in the spring season. Lake Beleu is a natural lake located in the Lower Prut scientific reserve in the Prut meadow.
Picture taken on Vlascuta Lake in Mastacani commune, Galați county. Lake Vlascuta is located in the Prut River area, within the village of Draculesti, Mastacani commune. The water covers an area of 41.80 ha and has been declared a nature reserve of national interest, being an area of special avifauna importance.
Picture of Lake Vlascuta photographed in all its splendor, with seagulls and pond birds.
Lake Vlascuta is one of the most important tourist attractions in Moldova, a destination not to be missed if you are nearby.
Picture was taken on Lake Vlascuta.
Ferry to Galați Danube river, the ferry makes trips for passengers on the Tulcea-Galați route.
Picture of a path in the Gârboavele Forest in the autumn season
The barbecue areas at Pădurea Gârboavele, covering almost 2 hectares, in which roof benches, tables, trash cans were installed.
Picture taken in Gârboavele Forest
Flora from Gârboavele Forest, a yellow iris is captured in the image
Flora from Gârboavele Forest, image on a cherry tree
Image with the flora from Gârboavele Forest.
Image of the Danube River. The Danube is of great importance in many respects for our country. At the same time, due to its exceptional natural characteristics (volume of water), it has an influence on other natural elements, especially in navigation.
Leisure area in development, with a fishing theme, on the bank of the Siret, at Şendreni.
Image with the river Siretul, in Galați county.
Image of Brateș Lake during sunset. Brateș is one of the largest lakes in Romania, located in the south of Moldova at the confluence of the Prut and the Danube. It had an initial area of 7,420 ha, but after a series of agrotechnical works carried out in 1948, its area was reduced to 2,400 ha. The lake has an average depth of 1.5 m. It is an important fishing base and an important tourist attraction in Galați County.
The wonderful sunset on Lake Brateș, Galați County.
The image with the Low Meadow of the Lower Prut Natural Park in Galați County. It covers the administrative territory of 9 localities: Galați, Tulucești, Frumușița, Foltești, Mastacani, Vladesti, Oancea, Suceveni, Cavadinesti; it is a natural area with an important role in the conservation of biological diversity, with protection status at national and community level;
Image of a fisherman in a boat on the Danube River in Galați County
Landscapes of the Reni territorial community
The Reni territorial community is located in the extreme southwest of the Odessa region. It borders Moldova to the west and Romania to the south. The community is one of the most inaccessible regions of the region and the country. The highway from Odessa leads here, but to get to the Reni you need to cross the border of Moldova. There is also a railway to the city of Reni (community center) from Moldova. Reni is a river port on the Danube. The city of Reni is located on the left high bank of the Danube. The Danube is the natural border between the Reni Community and Romania. Within the district, there are several large and a number of small lakes connected with the Danube system.
Lake Cahul is located near Reni, in the eastern part of the district we have Kugurlui, and in the southern part – Lake Yalpug, the largest in Ukraine. Large wetlands are located on the outskirts of Lake Kugurlui. The territory of the community lies in the steppe zone. Plain landscapes are dominant. The basis of the local economy is agriculture, developed viticulture, and fishing. Half of the territory of the Reni territorial community is occupied by the water surface of the lakes. Here is the largest lake in Ukraine and one of the largest lakes in Europe – Yalpug, as well as other picturesque Danube lakes – Cahul, Kartal, Bartica, Hradesti, Ispartica, the Shmarig estuary and the pearl of the region – Lake Kugurlui. The Kugurlui-Kartal lake system is one of the most valuable wetlands in the Danube Delta. It is of international importance (Ramsar Convention). Rare and endangered plants grow in abundance here: white water lily, yellow water lily.
Rare European birds nest in the floodplains. Ornithologists agree that Lake Kugurluy plays an important role for waterfowl and during their seasonal migrations. The number of individual birds in some periods can reach tens of thousands. Of particular importance is the concentration of a large number of gray and white-fronted geese in wintering grounds. There are 7 villages in the community: Dolynske (historical name of Anadol), Kotlovyna (Bolboka), Lymanske (Fricatei), Nagirne (Karagach), Novosilske (Satu Nou), Orlovka (Kartal), Plavni (Barta) – 1 Bulgarian, 1 Gagauz, 5 Romanian.