THE SACRAL SPRINGS OF THE LVIV REGION IN THE STRUCTURE OF LANDSCAPES
Authors: PETLIN Valeriy , MISHCHENKO Olena 
Published: November 2022

Water springs as a component of the landscape not only ensure the water balance of the territory, but also influence the formation of culture and traditions of regional communities. The scientific interest of studying water springs, in particular sacral ones, is connected with their important social and natural functions.

In the period when Russia's aggression (war) against Ukraine continues, the study of the sacred features of geographical objects will provide not only a scientific result, but also contribute to the preservation of the leading worldview ideas and values of society.

The article describes the physical and geographical prerequisites for the formation of water sources in the Lviv region. The greatest potential of fresh groundwater in the region is recorded in the Volhynian-Podolian artesian basin, where aquifer complexes are confined to Neogene, Upper Cretaceous, and in the east to Devonian deposits. The studied territory has a significant potential of mineral waters of different chemical composition and medicinal properties.

According to the materials of the Basin Management of Water Resources of the Western Bug and San Rivers, there are 454 water sources in the territory of Lviv region, of which 111 are consecrated, with a total flow rate of 65.94 l/s. 84% of the sacral springs of the Lviv region are in satisfactory condition and equipped. The largest number of them is confined to the basin of the Dniester River. In this basin, out of 72 functioning sanctified springs, 58 are in satisfactory condition and equipped, 14 need improvement and cleaning. Undoubtedly, the largest number of springs in the Dniester basin is due to the fact that it is the main water artery of the Lviv region, with a catchment area of 11,420 km2 and a length of 207 km. Within the region, the basin of the Western Bug River covers an area of ‒ 6,586 km2. There are 20 sacral springs, 16 of them are in satisfactory condition and equipped. In the basin of the Styr River, 16 sacral springs are recorded, which are characterized by a satisfactory condition. The smallest number of sacral springs is located in the basin of the San River, the discharge of which reaches only 1.2 l/s.

Spatial analysis of the placement of sacral springs within the physical-geographical regions/districts proves that their highest concentration is recorded in the flat part of the region. The largest share of them is observed in the Roztochia-Opillya mountainous physical-geographical region (45), in particular in the Mykolaiv-Berezhany physical-geographical district (33). There are 24 sacral springs in the Precarpathian highland region; in the region of Male Polissya – 17; Outer Carpathian region – 13; West Podillya highland region − 11. The rest of the physical and geographical regions within the Lviv region (Volyn highland region, Vododilno-Verkhovyna region) occupy relatively small areas, where almost no sacral springs have been recorded.

The revealed dependencies of the spatial placement of sacral springs within the Lviv region show that their distribution, density, grouping and functioning clearly depend on the surrounding natural features, which forms their structural organization. Such organization is largely implemented in the spatial grouping of springs. There are single, double, blocks (groups), compacted-spatial, network-dispersed and ribbon groupings of sacral springs. Each of the types of such groups is characterized by its own characteristics, which is realized in their sacral use.

The current state of the most famous sacral springs of the region, which are characterized by a large flow of visitors, is analyzed. All these sources have a good infrastructure, which ensures the realization of spiritual, cognitive educational needs of visitors.

Performing the role of the central object of the formation of the sacral landscape, sacral springs have a landscape-organizing function, which gives them an exceptional stabilizing and order-protecting value.

Keywords: sacral landscape, sacral spring, Lviv region.