National Park "Smolny" in the city of Saransk

Smolny National Park was established in 1995 to preserve the typical ecosystem of Mordovia and use it for recreational, scientific and cultural purposes. The park is located on the border of several natural zones, so it can boast a significant variety of flora and fauna.

Despite the fact that the most common type of forest in the region is pine, in the park there are mixed forests, broadleaf forests, forest-steppes and meadows, which are rich in diverse vegetation. Some of the plants, such as water nuts, are listed in the Red Book. No less rich "Smolny" and representatives of fauna - about 130 species of birds, more than 30 species of mammals, 10 species of amphibians and more than 20 species of fish live on its territory. The total area of protected areas is more than 36 000 hectares and is a significant and interesting place for nature lovers.