One of the most infamous natural sights of Kolomyia is the Shepariv Forest, where during the war years the tragic events that became part of the horror of the Second World War unfolded. Today, this forest is widely known and is visited by many tourists and locals who wish to pay tribute to those who perished during the Nazi occupation.
Sheparivsky (Shpyrevsky) forest, located about 8 km west of the city of Kolomyia, occupies a relatively small territory of about 21 hectares. At all times its rugged thicket caused a sense of awe among the inhabitants of nearby villages, and its second name was «Black Forest». It is a dense, frequent forest with thickets, through the thicket of which, it seems, no light penetrates at all: tall pine trees close their crowns so tightly that it seems as if the sky does not exist above this gloomy place at all. Aspen, spruce, and birch trees, which are inferior to the pines in height, grow often and close together, and what space might still be left between them is occupied by shrubs; vines, branches, and grasses are everywhere — once you have seen such a picture, you can never forget it. But that was until one of the most tragic events of the 20th century — the Second World War, which turned this natural landmark from just a gloomy place into a place where truly dramatic events unfolded. Its name has forever become part of history’s saddest pages.
The Jewish population of Kolomyia during the occupation by German troops was brutally destroyed, and most of those who died at the hands of the Nazis found their last shelter in the Shepariv Forest — here those to whom fate mercilessly signed the death sentence were brought to be shot. In total, the lives of more than 37 thousand people ended here, including not only the peaceful Jewish and non-Jewish population, but also those who were part of the shock group of the 33rd Army of Lieutenant General M.G. Efremov. In addition, those who devoted themselves to helping and saving the fighters who were defending the homeland — medical workers — also perished in the forest.
After an unsuccessful attempt to attack Vyazma, January 26, 1942, Efremov’s strike group was cut off from the rest of the troops, until mid-April soldiers and medical workers were forced to fight exhausting battles — the Germans surrounded the Sheparivsky forest and did not let anyone out alive. For such a long time due to lack of food, cold and heavy battles not only the sick, including seriously wounded soldiers, but also the healthy ones were exhausted and depleted. On April 13-19, the survivors — 9 thousand people, tried to break through from the forest, but only for a small part of the operation to break out of the ring of the enemy proved to be salvation. Only 889 of the 9,000 men eventually made it out of the Shepariv Forest alive, and General Efremov, who did not agree to leave his soldiers, who was wounded and eventually shot himself, was recognized as a hero.
Today, the monument to the dead, erected on the edge of the forest, reminds of the former tragic events, and it is gloomy, as only a mute witness to the terrible events that unfolded before his eyes can be gloomy. However, nowadays it does not frighten those who come here to pay tribute to those who died in the terrible events of April 1942. In addition to such a sad fame, thanks to those who visit this natural attraction of Kolomyja, it is gradually becoming known for more positive facts: there are remnants of oak trees with ancient inhabitants — trees more than 200 years old, as well as a reservation of gray herons — a colony of these amazing birds has been living in this forest for many years.