Paradise rest. Lake Shatskie

Many people prefer to spend their holidays on the seashore, listening to the cries of seagulls and taking sun baths. But if you are a calm person, dreaming about idyll against the backdrop of picturesque nature, then you need a completely different rest. Shatskie lakes are the corner of the world where you can safely spend time, do quiet hunting, swim in wonderfully clear water and every minute admire the landscapes sung by Lesya Ukrainka.

Some general information

We will tell a little about the place where we offer to spend your rest. Shatskie lakes are a group of three dozen large and small water reservoirs. They are scattered between the banks of the Western Bug and Pripyat rivers in two districts of the Volyn region (Ukraine). This is almost the border of Ukraine, Belarus and Poland. Water bodies with surprisingly transparent water are hidden in massifs of forests, where there are numerous sanatoria, camps and recreation centers. In 1983, the authorities created the Shatsk National Nature Park to protect a unique natural complex. Its total area is 32,500 hectares.

Pearls of Volhynia

Shatskie lakes, photos of which can be seen in our article, are different in size and depth. The largest reservoirs of the group are:

• Svityaz (takes the second place in Ukraine in size);
• Pulemets Lake;
• Luke;
• Lucifer;
• The Ostyaryanskoe Lake;
• The sandy lake;
• The Crimea.

They are all concentrated in the swampy terrain. Their shores are shallow and low, composed of sandstone and pebbles, densely overgrown with reeds. In the summer, the water warms up very well, completely frozen in the winter.

Inhabitants

If you like a quiet, measured rest - Shatskie Lake you will give it. You can sit for hours on the shore with a fishing rod (by the way, you do not need to carry it with you, since you can rent it). After all, more than thirty species of fish live in the water column (pike, loach, perch, eel, crucian, roach, catfish, bream, carp, whitefish, pike perch, trout, sazan and others), crayfish. You can go for a quiet hunt for mushrooms and berries (just do not get lost!). Swamps, wild ducks and geese nest at the water, but hunting is prohibited. Yes, and burn bonfires where horrible is also impossible - this is a reserve.

Handsome Svityaz

This is the deepest karst lake in Ukraine. Its maximum depth is 58.4 m, which is more than the analogous indicator of the Sea of Azov. But the water is clean and transparent. The total area of the reservoir is 25.2 square meters. Km. In the center of the lake there is a large island.

You can swim here at the end of May, so at this time tourists come here to rest. Shatskie lakes are an ideal place for family vacations, for children's health improvement. The purest air and water, nature, entertainment are favorable for relaxation and health improvement.

But do not limit yourself to stopping only on Svityaz. Optimal to go here by car to roam from the reservoir to the pond, because they are so different.

Legends and legends

About this lake, people composed different legends - sad and romantic, heroic and fantastic. They fascinate with colorful language and make you believe in a miracle. Some of them inspired creativity. For example, Adam Mickiewicz wrote two poems: "Svityaz" and "Svityazyanka."

Ancient legends tell us that once upon a place of the lake there was a beautiful princely castle. But his owner left his land to help his neighbor in the war. The insidious enemy took advantage of this and led the army to the walls of this stronghold. Seeing that she can not resist a huge army, the prince's daughter began to ask the heavens not to allow the invasion of the enemies and pray that her house would not get to them. At the same instant, the walls trembled and crumbled, and in the place of the castle a wonderful lake appeared. The water in it was healing, and on the banks various flowers blossomed.

Another mysterious place is the Island of Lovers on Svityaz. According to the legends, he appeared where two young people turned into trees to be together. There is a rumor that there is a path that leads to the island by land, but where it is, no one knows. Therefore, couples go here only by boat.

Legends are legendary, but the water in Svitiaz is able to heal wounds, soften the skin (thanks to the content of glycerin and silver). Many Polish pannochki in olden times washed by its waters, which were specially delivered from Shatsk.

Infrastructure

The most common type of recreation in Lake District - savages. In the region there are many camping sites and tent camps, where everything is necessary (toilet, shower, electricity, places to kindle bonfires). Just remember that this is a forest region, and here live snakes. You can also pit tents in the territory of a private house - local residents take a very small price for this. And you can always rent a house from them.

Tourists, accustomed to comfort, can also go to Shatskie Lake: there are plenty of sanatoriums and recreation centers here. The most popular of them are "Vityaz", "Forest Song", "Themis", "Halytsky Dvor". Most of them were built during the Soviet era, so they have the appropriate facilities. The best is the recreation center "Shatskie lakes" (Svityaz village), which has cozy houses, its own beach and a wide range of entertainment (boats, catamarans, sports grounds, disco, cafes, excursions, etc.).

How can I get to?

It's easy to find Shatskie lakes: the map of Volyn region necessarily has a mark. It is more convenient to travel by private car or bus through Lutsk or Kovel (the second option is much faster). From Kiev, it is optimal to take a train to Kovel, and then transfer to the bus (both stations are located nearby).

The picturesque Polesye, shrouded in secrets and sung by a brilliant Ukrainian poetess, invites hospitality to itself. His beauty, like the day of the creation of the world, will not leave anyone indifferent. Therefore, you want to come here more than once.