The Nykonorivka Spring. A Gift of Nature and the Work of Human Hands

The Nykonorivka spring gives people clean water and the joy of communing with nature.

The Nykonorivka spring, the Kliuchyk ravine. Sloviansk district, Donetsk region

On the eastern outskirts of the village of Nykonorivka in the Sloviansk district, the Kliuchyk ravine stretches for 2.5 kilometres.

The narrow hollow runs from west to south-east, has 4 small branches reaching north and south, and with its lower part draws down to the Siverskyi Donets-Donbas canal.

The depression, with its steep slopes, is covered by ravine woodland and resembles a green tunnel. The crowns of poplars and ash trees form a long, picturesque corridor that keeps its coolness in the summer heat.

In spring the hills are covered with carpets of primroses.

Amid the woods a spring of clear water breaks through, the one that gave the ravine its name. It is here that the Bilenka River, a right tributary of the Kazennyi Torets, has its source and is fed by spring water.

Near Nykonorivka a small pond has been made in the riverbed. The spring formed where water emerges from the depths of the earth to the surface through natural channels lying below the aquifer.

It often happens that water springs lose their strength and vanish for good. The Nykonorivka spring has been tended through the efforts and at the expense of kind and caring people. A pipe has been led out of the spring, and the well has been lined with natural stone.

The person who initiated the creation of a recreation area by the spring was V. V. Zhnakin (1941-2009), director of the Sloviansk Agrarian College. For his labour and the blessed words left on the memorial plaque, this gift of nature is often called Zhnakin's spring: "From a Pure Well my water flows For the happiness of all people and for good! And do not forget to bow to that well. From it the soul feels such warmth! Rest, good people! With a quiet word remember me by the well! Love life, may misfortune pass you by. In your life, treasure every moment! V. V. Zhnakin."

Volodymyr Volodymyrovych was the author of the design of the coat of arms and flag of the Sloviansk district, as well as of the college's symbols and anthem. Zhnakin put great effort into opening the museum of folk architecture, everyday life and children's creativity in Prelesne. For his numerous services, this proactive leader and patriot of his native land was awarded the title of Honorary Citizen of the Sloviansk district.

By the consecrated spring an image of the Mother of God has been set up.

In Orthodoxy, holy water is given a special place. People come from afar to the Nykonorivka spring to drink its healing water and strengthen their health, and they draw it in large quantities. Some wash their faces with it, some pour it over themselves at any time of year for luck. It is believed that the water in the spring is ionised with silver, which lengthens the life of its healing power.

A water spring on the outskirts of the village of Malynivka has the same properties, but the Nykonorivka one is more popular with the residents of Kramatorsk, Sloviansk, Bakhmut and the surrounding villages.

In this blessed place, reminders have been left on stands for forgetful tourists, urging them to take their rubbish with them and to preserve nature's riches for their descendants.

Coordinates:  48°45'59"N 37°46'16"E