(Source: http://tripsib.com/images/regions/tomsk/sights/10tomskpl.jpg)

Some archaeologists and historians claim that namely “Talovskiye Chashi” (“Talovskiye Bowls”) became the prototype for the appearance of legends about the Holy Grail. Allegedly, ancient Visigoths preserved the memory of an ancient miracle of nature during their migration from east to west, and later this memory was reflected in the legends of King Arthur.

Regardless of whether it is true or not, Talovskie Bowls are really great. These are huge natural figures in the shape of oval vessels covered with bernessite, a rare mineral, on the inside. A total of four large and three small bowls are known. Mineral water is constantly flowing inside them. Therefore, the bowls grow little by little: salt and minerals get dry and grow in a bowl, increasing its size.



Therapeutic Effect

People believe that this water is therapeutic: it helps to cure eye and skin diseases, as well as with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Even in winter the water does not freeze, but continues to flow along numerous streams on the ground and under the ground.

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How to get there

The Bowls are located in Tomsk Oblast, not far from the village of Basandaika. The village is located 45 kilometers away from Tomsk. It can be reached by electric train that runs twice a day - in the morning and in the evening, there and back. Besides, the village Basandaika can be reached by road - passing through Mezheninovka (30 kilometers away from the city), the road is asphalted; but the road from Mezheninovka to Basandaika (15 kilometers) is almost impassable.



You can walk from the village to Talovskiye Bowls on foot, by car, on skis or on a bicycle. You can also get to the natural monument from the “Platform 41 km” railway station; the length of the road from the station to Talovskiye Bowls is 3.5 km, this is an ordinary field road, it is clearly visible both in winter and summer.

Tourism

This natural monument has always attracted tourists, and that is why it and the territory around had been in a dreadful state until recently. Not so long ago the staff of the cadastre department of Special Protected Natural Areas cleared the territories and now carefully keep them tidy. Therefore, we urge all tourists to carefully read what they can and cannot do on the territory of Talovskiye Bowls.

By the way, if you jump energetically around the bowl, then bubbles of carbon dioxide will rise from the water depth in a couple of moments.

Of course, you should definitely taste some water from the springs.