Lake Svityaz. Rest on the lake Svityaz. Lake Svitiaz - photo

Anyone who has ever visited Volyn can no longer forget the magical beauty of this picturesque corner of Ukraine. Lake Svityaz many are called "Ukrainian Baikal". Of course, he is far away from the Russian giant, but there is some similarity between reservoirs. Every year thousands of tourists come here to admire local beauties, relax their soul and body in the bosom of primeval nature, relax and revitalize the body. Adults and children go to Volyn, there are many interesting sights, cultural and historical monuments. There is something to do for lovers of both passive and active recreation.

Svityaz is one of the largest lakes in Ukraine

Not far from the town of Shack, in the northwest of the Volyn region, there are unique reservoirs of water and origin. The Shatsk lakes enchant travelers with their beauty, clear, clean water, and also with local landscapes. The largest of these is Svityaz. This is one of the largest lakes in Ukraine, in area it is second only to the water bodies of the Danube floods. Svityaz is a mini-sea, this is how it is perceived by vacationers. In sunny weather, the blue sky is displayed in the watery surface, and when it rains with a thunderstorm, the lake rages, covering with dark, menacing waves.

On the eastern side of Svityaz there is an amazing island with an area of about 40 000 m ² . It is covered with old trees, among them lindens and sycamores prevail. Rest on the lake Svityaz will be enjoyed by everyone without exception, because in the picturesque landscapes it is simply impossible not to fall in love. Around the pond there are 2-3-meter sand hills, the coasts are mostly low, only in the south-west is the 8-meter sandy Tatar Mountain.

Origin of the Shatsk Lakes

Where there were picturesque reservoirs in Volhynia, scientists can not determine until now. Some believe that Svityaz and his cousins were formed after the Dnieper glacier receded from Polesie. Lakes are considered relicts, that is, the remains of one huge reservoir that used to be in this territory. A different level of depth, the presence of depressions is explained by the leaching of limestones by underground waters . Some researchers believe that Lake Svityaz has a karstic origin. The third group of scientists proves that the reservoirs in Volhynia were formed thanks to the glacier, but deep depressions here appeared due to the lowering and raising of some tectonic blocks.

The Legend of the Origin of Svityaz

Legends and legends about the formation of the Shatskie lakes are transmitted from generation to generation in Volhynia for many centuries. The most interesting of them is the story of the sorcerer. One day an old man was passing by a meadow where children grazed cattle. There was a dog with the shepherds, who immediately attacked my grandfather and started barking loudly. To children less the situation seemed amusing, therefore they with might and main laughed, but the boy and the older girl tried to drive the dog away from the old man. As a result, the sorcerer invited the younger cowherd boys with him and led them to a huge boulder. Without difficulty, he picked it up with a cue, and water poured in from there, the children immediately drowned. This is how Lake Svityaz was formed. The boy and the older girl took with them, but forbade them to look back. The path was already almost passed, but the children could not restrain themselves and turned around. At the same moment they turned into linden and sycamore. This is how the legend explains the appearance of a wooded island on the lake.

The Unique Water of Svityaz

It is difficult to find the lake in Ukraine cleaner and more transparent than the Shatsk reservoirs. Many people argue that the Svitiaz is the most delicious water, though a bit harsh. The lake is so clear that even at great depth you can see small pebbles. In winter, water is much cleaner than in summer, this is explained by the minimal amount of impurities in it. Particularly transparent Svityaz at depth, but near the coast, in the bays are often found plant remains, some areas are completely covered with algae. In shallow water there is a marshy vegetation. Due to transparency, sunlight penetrates to a great depth, which promotes the activation of biological processes in the reservoir.

Lake temperature

It should be noted that the water warms up unevenly, because of the intense inflow of groundwaters and different depths. Lake Svityaz (Ukraine) in shallow water can be heated to 30 ° C. The upper layers of water in the summer usually reach a little more than 20 ° C, but at a depth quite cool (about 9 ° C). Almost every winter, the pond is covered with ice crust. Places with strong underground sources freeze only in very severe winters, and even if the surface is calm. The thickness of the ice can reach up to 65 cm. The lake Svityaz begins to freeze at the end of November, but discards ice clothing in early April.

What to do on the lake?

Annually Volhyn receives thousands of guests not only from all over Ukraine, but also from neighboring countries. Most tourists come to the lake Svitiaz. Rest (the prices here do not bite at all - in a private cottage you can rent a room for only $ 13) in Volyn region charges with vivacity, strength, positive energy. Not far from the Shatsk Lakes you can stop at the recreation center, in a sanatorium, a cottage, rent a house, and settle in a tent camp. Here you can rent catamarans, boats, kayaks, diving equipment. Right on the shore of the lake, local residents will cook delicious donuts, bake fish on firewood, cook cancers, fish soup, and soak blackheads.

Also here you can stroll through the pine forest, enjoy the clean air, the delicious aroma of pine needles. Lake Svityaz (the map will find the best places for recreation), many tourists perceive as the sea, it is bathed, sunbathing on the sandy shore. You can come to Volyn not only in the warm season, but also in winter. The travelers who decided to spend their New Year's holidays travel around the lake on horseback, fish. If the lake is covered with a thick crust of ice, then you can demonstrate your ability to skate.

Belarusian Svityaz

It turns out that the Volynsky giant has a twin-town, and he is in the Grodno region, in Belarus. The center of the Novogrudok Upland is the charming lake Svityaz. Photo of local landscapes causes travelers an irresistible desire at least once to visit here, to walk along picturesque shores, to wander along forest paths, to breathe in fresh air. The local places are shrouded in a halo of mystery, oak-giants make you think about the history of the city, try to understand what was here several centuries ago. On Lake Svityaz mainly come to fans of outdoor activities. The water in the pond is clear and crystal clear, even at great depths the sandy bottom is visible. As part of the Svityaz found alkaline compounds. Due to this, the water in the lake is very soft.

Beautiful legend

The origin of the lake is shrouded in a halo of secrets, the locals recount many legends and legends, and Adam Mickiewicz even wrote a ballad called "Svityaz". Many centuries ago an army attacked the city. The locals did not want to live in slavery, so they prayed that their city would fall into the abyss along with the enemies. Their request was heard, on the site of Svityaz a huge lake was formed. People died, but their enemies died too. The old-timers say that even today, in sunny weather, Lake Svityaz (Belarus) opens a view of the pavement of the old city, which rests under the water surface.

Rest on Volhynia

Near the Shatsk Lakes, you can relax no worse than on the shores of the Black Sea. The locals are glad to see the guests at any time of the year, all travelers will be settled and nourished. In Volhynia is very beautiful nature - at least because of this it is worth to visit here. Residents of large cities do not have enough peace, clean air, unhurried, measured life. On Lake Svityaz you can swim, sunbathe, ride a boat, kayak, catamaran, fish. There are many forests in Volhynia, so there is always clean air. Local residents will be happy to conduct an excursion, show where different berries grow, on what glades there are mushrooms. Western Ukraine is rich in architectural, historical and cultural monuments, so lovers of antiquity will have something to do and what to see. Here, all comers will be served with delicious dishes and will tell a lot of interesting stories and legends. Rest on Volyn will be remembered for a long time, and pictures brought from Western Ukraine will bring good memories and warm up on cold winter evenings.