Have you heard of the Manpupuner or the Seven Strong Men of Russia?

Some places on Earth are so unusual that they appear to be from another planet, and megalithic constructions are part of this vast "unknown" world. This type of construction is quite common among travel enthusiasts, such as the Stonehenge in England or the Carnac Rocks in France.

However, not all of these rock formations are human works: some tourist places around the planet have taken shape through the action of weather, wind and rain. This is the case of Vila Velha, in Paraná, where countless images can be interpreted in carved rocks for thousands of years.

Another amazing place in the same style, but little known, goes by the name of Manpupuner in Russia. Also called "The Seven Strong Men, " these rocky monoliths lie north of the Ural Mountains in Komi. With heights ranging from 30 to 42 meters, they are made of sandstone, shale and quartzite and have been carved over the years by the freezing Arctic winds and the very action of ice and snow.

In winter, snow makes the place look even more unusual.

Local legend

Of course, for every scientific explanation, there are legends to tell the origin of things. And it couldn't be any different with Manpupuner: according to tradition, the seven pillars were Samoyed giants marching to conquer Vogulski Indians in the Mansi region. However, the entourage shaman dropped his magic drum, and this turned the group into frozen rock at the top of the hill.

Despite being incredible, the "Seven Strong Men" are in a very inaccessible place: the nearest road is 100 kilometers away, making it easier to reach by helicopter. This did not prevent the attraction from being listed as one of Russia's seven wonders, alongside, for example, St. Basil's Cathedral, Mount Ebrus and the Motherland statue.

The pillars are also a challenge for climbers: to date, none have reached the top of the formations because of their too irregular shapes for this endeavor. The place is also described as mystical and with positive energy - a common feeling in such structures. Check out some images of the place in the gallery:

Have you heard of the Manpupuner or the Seven Strong Men of Russia?