Near the village of Kireshi (five kilometres north of the city of Khust) is the most popular tourist attraction in Khust district – the Daffodil Valley. It is the only place in Ukraine where the narrow-leaved daffodil grows in its natural habitat. Since 1978, the Daffodil Valley has been a part of the Carpathian Biosphere Reserve.
This alpine flower is common in the Alps, the Balkans and the Carpathians at altitudes above 1,000 metres. Here, daffodils grow at an altitude of about 180 metres. There are also other plants listed in the Red Book of Ukraine. These include snowdrops, autumn saffron, autumn crocus and a number of orchids.
Every year in mid-May, a large field divided into squares turns into a fragrant white carpet. This is the time when tourists from all over Ukraine and abroad rush here. During the flowering period, the field attracts up to 1000 visitors a day. The entrance to the field is paid. The guards make sure that not a single flower is damaged. The area of the unique botanical reserve is 257 hectares, of which daffodil meadows cover 170 hectares. It is the largest facility of its kind in Europe.
According to legend, the inhabitants of Khust stuffed pillows with daffodils for the Tatar-Mongol conquerors who captured Khust Castle, and passing it off as a sign of humility and respect. And the one who falls asleep on the daffodils will never wake up again, because this flower is poisonous.
