Lake Svetloyar is a Nizhny Novgorod legend. Nizhny Novgorod encyclopedia. General information and legends

Lake Svetloyar, located in the Nizhny Novgorod region, is considered one of the most fabulous and unusual bodies of water in Russia. Locals call Svetloyar Atlantis. And it is no coincidence - it is believed that the beautiful city of Kitezh once stood on the shore of the lake (during the time of the Tatar-Mongol yoke). Then he disappeared. There is even a legend about this city, according to which Kitezh sank to the bottom of Lake Svetloyar. Hence the comparison with Atlantis.

By the way, the lake is small but deep: it is only 500 meters long and 350 meters wide. The maximum depth is about 33.5 meters.

The Legend of Lake Svetloyar

Grand Duke of Vladimir Yuri Vsevolodovich, according to legend, ordered the construction of the city of Kitezh on the shore of Lake Svetloyar.

Khan Batu, having learned about the city in a picturesque and rich region, decided to capture it. The Mongols, approaching the city, looked at the local residents with surprise: there were no fortifications, people only raised their prayers to heaven. Suddenly, streams of water gushed out from under the ground. The Mongols retreated. Kitezh sank into the water. The last thing the invaders saw was a cross on the dome of the church.

It is believed that only true believers and pure souls will be able to find the sunken city. Pilgrims making a religious procession to these places say that they sometimes hear bells ringing coming from the lake itself.

Rest on Lake Svetloyar in the Nizhny Novgorod region

The lake is located on the territory of the Voskresenskoye Povetluzhye natural park, which belongs to a specially protected area. It is not allowed to set up tents or make a fire on the shore of the reservoir.

But in the area of ​​the village of Vladimirskoye you can find accommodation - a hotel or guest houses. There you will be offered to rent single, double and triple rooms. There is a bathhouse on the territory of the guest houses, and a shop or cafe can be found nearby.

You can also visit Lake Svetloyar as part of an excursion group. Bus tours are organized directly from Nizhny Novgorod. The cost of such trips depends on the route, duration and number of people in the group. Prices range from 1,500 to 4,000 rubles. You will be told in detail about the history of the lake, its features, legends associated with Svetloyar.

Attractions

In addition to Lake Svetloyar, tourists can visit the Kitezh Historical and Art Museum and the temple-chapel located right on the shore of the reservoir.

The museum's exposition is dedicated to the history of the village of Vladimirskoye and Lake Svetloyar. Here you will learn about local traditions and the culture of ancestors who once lived on the shores of the famous reservoir.

As for the chapel, it was erected in the 1990s using public donations. The chapel is built entirely of wood. The central place in it is occupied by the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God. Pilgrims consider the chapel and Lake Svetloyar to be special places that fill them with strength.

Fishing on Lake Svetloyar

The lake is home to tench, pike, roach, perch, and bream. However, you will rarely see fishermen here, since Lake Svetloyar is considered a sacred place by believers. Pilgrims make a religious procession here.

They usually fish here in winter, when there are no pilgrims and tourists coming to the lake to just relax and admire the beauty. According to fishermen, the catch here is always good.

Peculiarities

On the eastern shore of Lake Svetloyar is the village of Vladimirskoye. In the north, almost four kilometers away is the village of Rassadino, and three kilometers away is the village of Bolshie Klyuchi. To the west, three kilometers away is the village of Shadrino. That part of the coast that is not adjacent to the village of Vladimirskoye is occupied by forests and fields. By the way, the banks of the reservoir are raised. Somewhere the hills are separated by 8-meter ravines.

To the east of Svetloyar flows the small river Lunda, with which the lake is connected by a stream.

The lake has an almost perfect oval shape. The bottom, according to researchers, is funnel-shaped. The water is fresh and clean.

How to get there

You can get to Lake Svetloyar by public transport, by personal or rented car, or by taxi.

Public transport

From Nizhny Novgorod, from the Kanavinskaya bus station, buses run daily to the village of Voskresenskoye. You will spend at least two hours on the way. you can look at the popular service for tourists Tutu.ru.

Automobile

If you decide to go to Lake Svetloyar by car, then you need to move towards the village of Neklyudovo, then through the villages of Temryashino, Rekshino, the village of Zheleznodorozhny, the villages of Valki and Dryukovo, the village of Tarasikha, the village of Bydreevka, the village of Shaldezh, after passing Bokovo, turn right and follow through the village of Bolshie Klyuchi to the village of Vladimirskoye. The distance from Nizhny Novgorod to Lake Svetloyar is 125 kilometers. The journey will take you approximately 1 hour 50 minutes. See the route map on Google Map.

You can also use the services of local taxi services - Yandex. Taxi and Uber.

Lake Svetloyar on Google panorama

Lake Svetloyar on video

The legend about the city of Kitezh, which is hidden under the waters of Lake Svetloyar, has long excited the minds of scientists and science fiction writers. This year I was able to visit the legendary lake for the second time in my life. Perhaps I'm too impressionable, but... Thoughts from two years ago about the unusualness and mystery of this place again surfaced in my head.

There is still no consensus on the history of the lake, although dozens of expeditions were sent to Svetloyar in the Nizhny Novgorod region. These were mainly “dry” scientific research - water intake, soil analysis and vegetation study. But one of the expeditions was quite interesting - scientists were looking for Kitezh-grad, which, according to legend, went under water during Batu’s attack.

The expedition did find something, but I’ll tell you about this a little later; first we need to get acquainted with the lake itself.

Lake Svetloyar (photo and description)

A beautiful birch alley leads to Svetloyar, which immediately puts you in a positive mood.

We walk along the alley and a beautiful view opens up in front of us. Lake Svetloyar is small, almost perfectly round in shape. The area of ​​the mirror is 12 hectares, and the depth is about 30 meters.

The shore is equipped, there is a small beach. The water is not just clean….. it is clean and very soft. They say that water from the lake can be stored in a container for several years without losing its purity and taste.

Lake Svetloyar is a protected area. You are not allowed to litter, make fires or pitch tents. This is a special place. The name of the lake speaks for itself - Svetly Yar (Yarilo - Slavic sun god). True, there is another translation. Yar is a cliff, that is, a Bright cliff.

There is a trail and wooden decking around the lake. At all times, people walked around Lake Svetloyar, prayed and asked for something of their own.

The tradition has been preserved. According to legend, on the night of Ivan Kupala, you need to make a wish and walk around the lake three times with a lit candle.

It remains a mystery to me where paganism ends and Orthodoxy begins. July 6 is both a bright holiday of the icon of Our Lady of Vladimir, to which pilgrims come, and the night of Ivan Kupala, when they jump over the fire and float wreaths on the water. Truly an intricacy of faith, legends and paganism.

In ancient times, people did not swim in Lake Svetloyar, they only washed and drank the water. Now there is no ban, so we gladly swam in the cleanest lake.

Near our resting place, someone lost his pectoral cross. Good people hung him on a tree branch, maybe the owner will be found...

Kibelek Key

Not far from Lake Svetloyar there is the Kibelek spring and the grave of three saints. If you wish, you can walk to the key. “Not far” is about 2 km (40-50 minutes), so plan on your strength.

There is such a sign near the wooden church. We go around the temple and go deeper into the forest.

Two years ago, there was a gorgeous chamomile field in this place, where the girls and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves - taking pictures and weaving chamomile wreaths. This year the field was sown with oats. There will be another sign at the edge of the field, the main thing is to stick to the path. It’s called the Pilgrim’s Path. Along the way you will come across benches for rest and wooden platforms; it is difficult to get lost.

And here is the key. You can wash your face, drink water and take some with you.

Legends of Lake Svetloyar

Since I touched on the topic of legends and tales, it’s time to try to understand all the twists and turns of fairy tales, myths and scientific research.

So... how real is the city of Kitezh?

There is a mention of the city of Kitezh in a book of the 18th century, which is called “The Kitezh Chronicler” -

“The Grand Duke of Vladimir Georgy Vsevolodovich built the city of Small Kitezh on the banks of the Volga, and then retreated deep into the forests... On the shores of the beautiful Lake Svetloyar, he ordered the construction of the city of Big Kitezh.”

(Maly Kitezh - presumably Gorodets).

“And that city, Big Kitezh, was a hundred fathoms long and wide, and this measure was small. And the noble Prince George ordered to add another hundred fathoms to the length…..And they began to build that stone city in the year 6673, the month of May on the first day…..And that city was built for three years….”

If Kitezh is just a legend, then where do such details about its construction come from? No, you shouldn’t completely abandon the idea of ​​the existence of an ancient city.

It is known that Batu Khan ravaged Russian cities one after another, but Kitezh was not a trading city and did not play any significant military or political role. Why did the Khan suddenly become interested in him? According to the description, almost the entire city consisted of churches, being the great spiritual center of the native Russian faith (not to be confused with Christianity!).

That is why Khan Batu sent his forces to Kitezh in order to destroy the shrine. Many peoples believed that with the destruction of shrines, the people themselves perish, for shrines are the soul of the people. The city's residents were not prepared for the attack; they could only pray and hope for a miracle. The Russian gods preserved the city by plunging it into the waters of Lake Svetloyar. Only a pure soul can see the city. So says the legend.

Expeditions to Lake Svetloyar. What did scientists discover?

During the expedition from Literaturnaya Gazeta, bottom silt was drilled five times. One of the zaburs brought an interesting find - pieces of hard wood with noticeable oblique cuts. It could be the mark of an ax or knife. Geologists in this place discovered another anomaly - bottom silt of a special composition. An oval anomaly was clearly visible on the echogram, and the geolocator recorded an area at the bottom that did not transmit sound.

Divers descended to the bottom of the lake. But they didn’t add any information, but there was even more idle talk. According to some sources, the divers did not see the bottom; in other words, the lake has a double bottom, i.e. there is another bottom, much lower than 30 meters. According to others, the divers generally refused to say anything about the dive.

Few? I’ll add a couple more myths - stories of local residents. According to another belief, Kitezh is not hidden at the bottom of Svetloyar, but under the hills next to the lake. If you lean against the ground at night and listen, you can hear a quiet bell ringing.

Relatively recently, a legend circulated in the surrounding villages about a miracle fish living in the lake - “A big fish walks around Svetloyar and scares people”. Adam Olearius, who traveled around Rus' in the 17th century, left interesting notes. Olearius encountered pagan tribes and described the sanctuary of a certain water deity, similar to a crocodile. Here's your miracle fish.

In conclusion, I can’t help but tell you about another hypothesis - the lake arose as a result of a meteorite fall. Interestingly, not far from Svetloyar there are two more lakes with similar configurations. They are also bordered by hills. The meteorite could split and fall in three pieces. Why not?

Ivan Kupala holiday in Svetloyar

Every year, from July 6 to 7, a folk festival of pagan origin is celebrated on the lake. Two years ago, we came to Svetloyar for the first time on July 6th.

During the day, in the village of Vladimirskoye, Nizhny Novgorod region, various master classes are organized, and in the evening they organize something like a folk performance-legend about the city of Kitezh. The night of Ivan Kupala is the shortest of the year, and on Lake Svetloyar it is also magical. I, succumbing to the general bacchanalia, walked around the lake with a candle, and then until the morning we swam in the holy lake. You can't put tents next to the lake, so people slept right on the ground.

Lake Svetloyar, Nizhny Novgorod region (Nizhny Novgorod region, Russia) - detailed description, location, reviews, photos and videos.

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Lake Svetloyar, full of mysteries and secrets, has been the holy lake of Rus' since ancient times, a small Russian Atlantis, located 130 km from Nizhny Novgorod, on the edge of the village of Vladimirskoye. In ancient times, rituals were held on its banks in honor of the Slavic sun god Yarila. Hence the name - Svetly Yar.

Today, as in ancient times, hundreds of pilgrims, both Orthodox and pagans, come to Lake Svetloyar. Every year on July 6, around Svetloyar, on the feast of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God, Christians make a religious procession. And in the evening, a pagan action begins with bonfires, wreaths on the water and a walk around Svetloyar with candles, because on the night of July 6-7 is the holiday of Ivan Kupala.

According to legend, a wish made that night will come true if you circle the lake three times.

During the Great Patriotic War, mothers here offered prayers for the survival of their husbands and sons fighting at the front.

The legend about the city of Kitezh, told by the Old Believers, also tells about Svetloyar. Once upon a time, Prince Yuri Vsevolodovich sailed along the Mother Volga on a ship. And he built Little Kitezh. It is believed that this city is today's Gorodets. Then Yuri Vsevolodovich, having passed the Uzola, Sandu and Kerzhenets rivers, saw Lake Svetloyar. Captivated by his charm, the prince gave the order to build the city of Big Kitezh on the shores of the wonderful lake. It took three years (1165-1168) to build it, and a stone city arose with many Orthodox churches.

In 1239, the troops of Khan Batu, a godless and wicked man, went to Rus'. And they captured Small Kitezh. The prince and his retinue hid in the forests near Greater Kitezh. But he was betrayed by Grishka Kuterma, who was captured by Batu and could not stand the torture, and showed the way to the wicked enemies to the great city. Batu's hordes found the refuge of Yuri's squad and killed the prince. And on the eve of Batu’s attack on Yuri Vsevolodovich in Kitezh, three heroes were on patrol, and for a long time they blocked the path of the Khan’s army. And where they stood to death for their city of Kitezh, the holy spring Kibelek still flows, next to which is the grave of three holy elders.

Three heroes warned the inhabitants of Kitezh about the attack, but they could not defend themselves from the cruel enemy, but turned with a fiery prayer to the Lord God to prevent their enslavement and terrible murder. And God heard them. As soon as Batu’s troops rushed to the offensive, suddenly numerous springs gushed out from under the ground and began to flood the city of Kitezh. And the Tatar-Mongols retreated in horror. And the city of Kitezh sank under the water, like Atlantis, only one cathedral dome was visible above the surface of the lake, but it soon disappeared.

They say that in calm, clear weather, especially righteous people can hear the ringing of bells and the drawn-out sad singing of people flying from the depths of Svetloyar.

And in the clear lake water you can see the domes of monasteries and churches.

Lake Svetloyar, whose water has healing properties, contains a huge number of unsolved secrets and mysteries. Countless pilgrims come here to be healed physically and spiritually, and to remove damage. Indeed, miraculous inexplicable cases of recovery have been recorded here. Many psychics claim that the lake is a powerful place that draws its energy from space. On the shore of the reservoir, scientists found plant species (about 29) that do not grow anywhere else in this area.

This ideal oval-shaped lake is the largest (length - 410 m, width - 315 m) and deepest (maximum depth - about 36 m) in the Nizhny Novgorod region. Its area is approximately twelve hectares. The water in Svetloyar is very clean, does not become overgrown with mud, and can be kept in vessels for years, while maintaining its purity, transparency and taste.

Svetloyar is a natural monument in the reserve of the same name, protected by UNESCO, where it is strictly forbidden to set up tents (there is a special tent camp nearby) and light a fire.

Local residents tell many unusual and inexplicable stories. Those who visit these places listen and believe in them. If you want to figure out what is truth and what is fiction, come here, enjoy the beauty of the surroundings of the lake and recharge with its energy.

How to get to Lake Svetloyar

You can get to Lake Svetloyar by bus from the Kanavinskaya station (Nizhny Novgorod) to the village of Vladimirskoye or by electric train from Nizhny Novgorod to the city of Semenov with a transfer to a regular bus. By car you can get along the Kirov highway to the Bokovaya station, passing Semenov, then follow the sign to the right and get to the village of Vladimirskoye, and through it to the parking lot. Well, then walk along the birch alley.

Address: Russia, Nizhny Novgorod region, p. Vladimirskoe
Depth: about 34 m.
Coordinates: 56°49"07.3"N 45°05"34.5"E

Short description

130 km from Nizhny Novgorod, on the outskirts of the village of Vladimirskoye, standing on the banks of the Lyunda River, is the mysterious Svetloyar Lake. Sometimes this lake is called the small Russian Atlantis.

Lake Svetloyar from a bird's eye view

The legend about the city of Kitezh, which has survived to this day in the literary treatment of the Old Believers, is associated with Svetloyar. The “Kitezh Chronicler” reports that Prince Yuri Vsevolodovich, traveling along the Volga on a ship, erected the city of Maly Kitezh (presumably the current Gorodets). Having passed the rivers Uzola, Sanda and Kerzhenets, the prince arrived at Lake Svetloyar. Fascinated by the beauty of this place, Yuri ordered to build the city of Bolshoi Kitezh on the shores of the lake.

During three years of construction (1165 - 1168), a majestic city was erected from stone and many Orthodox churches were built in it. In 1239, the troops of the wicked and godless Khan Batu moved to Rus'. Soon hordes of Tatar-Mongols captured Little Kitezh, and Prince Yuri and his retinue took refuge in the forests near Greater Kitezh. One of Batu’s captives, Grishka Kuterma, unable to withstand the torture, betrayed his compatriots and showed the enemies the way to the great city. Batu found Yuri's refuge and killed him.

Birch alley to the lake

And here the legend is closely intertwined with reality - in fact, the Grand Duke died in an unequal battle with the Mongols on the City River in 1238. According to legend, on the eve of Batu’s attack, three warriors were on patrol in Kitezh, warning the townspeople of the danger. Many people fell from the swords of enemies, and three heroes also died, blocking the path of the khan’s army. And in the place where three warriors fought to the death for their city, the holy spring Kibelek appeared, the water of which still flows.

On the shore of Lake Svetloyar

The inhabitants of Kitezh did not erect any fortifications and did not even try to defend themselves; they turned with fervent prayer to God not to allow foreigners to come to them. God heeded the prayer, and when the hordes rushed to attack, abundant springs suddenly gushed out from under the ground and began to flood the city. The Mongols retreated in fear.

Like Atlantis, the city sank under water, only one lonely dome of the cathedral was visible above the surface of the lake, but soon it too disappeared. But Kitezh survived: in clear, calm weather, the drawn-out singing of people and the ringing of bells can be heard from the depths of Svetloyar, and in the clear waters of the lake you can see the domes of churches and monasteries.

Path around the lake

Svetloyar - sacred lake of ancient Rus'

Even before Russia adopted Christianity, the lake was considered sacred - rituals were held on its shores in honor of the Slavic sun god Yarila, hence the name Svetly Yar. Nowadays, Lake Svetloyar is a center of pilgrimage for both pagans and Orthodox Christians. Every year on July 6, Christians from all over Russia come to Svetloyar and make a religious procession around the lake in honor of the feast of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God. In the evening a pagan celebration begins here - on the night of July 6-7, people celebrate Ivan Kupala Day.

Church of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God on the shore of the lake

People light fires, throw wreaths across the water surface and walk around the lake with candles in their hands. There is a belief that if you make a wish and walk around the lake 3 times, your wish will definitely come true. During the Great Patriotic War, women made pilgrimages around Lake Svetloyar, praying to save the lives of sons and husbands who had gone to the front.

Hypotheses about the origin of Lake Svetloyar

Adding to the mystery of the lake is the fact that the origin of Svetloyar has not yet been clarified. Naturalist V.V. Dokuchaev classified it as a lake of karst origin. Geologist G.I. Blom, after drilling a well, concluded that Svetloyar is a typical glacial lake, which is a remnant of the ancient bed of the Lyunda River.

Stone with a pile of the Virgin Mary on Lake Svetloyar

It was also hypothesized that the basin of the reservoir was formed as a result of faults in the earth’s crust and erosion of rocks. In 2009, Svyatoslav Engalychev, an employee of the St. Petersburg All-Russian Research Geological Institute, published the results of his research confirming the version that the lake owes its appearance to a meteorite that fell to the ground. In 1968, an expedition organized by Literaturnaya Gazeta detailed the complex topography of the bottom of Svetloyar.

Lake Svetloyar is one of the most mysterious places in Russia. Scientists are still struggling with the mystery of the origin of this reservoir, and historians are trying to find evidence of the existence of the mysterious city of Kitezh, which supposedly rests at the bottom of the lake. Ufologists regularly record the occurrence of unexplained phenomena in the Svetloyar area, and vacationers and travelers note the extraordinary properties of water and the amazing beauty of nature in these places.

Lake Svetloyar on the map.

The lake is located in the Nizhny Novgorod region, near the village of Vladimirskoye, Voskresensky district. This reservoir is located on the territory of the Voskresenskoe Povetluzhie natural park of regional importance. The lake has a regular oval shape and is one of the deepest lakes in the region. It is because of this that many scientists believe that this is a crater from a long-falling meteorite. The water in it is very clean and clear, it is of the hydrocarbonate-calcium type, the bottom springs make it cool and fresh on the hottest days. The area of ​​the lake is approximately 12 hectares, length - about 500 m, width - up to 350 m. Depth in some places reaches 40 m.

Those who are planning a vacation in these places can visit the unique Church of the Kazan Mother of God located on the territory of the reserve; there is also a stone with a trace of the Virgin Mary’s foot. The village of Vladimirskoye is famous for the ancient wooden church of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God; there is the Kitezh Historical and Art Museum and the Grad Svetly Museum of Local Ceramics. Anyone who loves walks in the forest can visit the Kibelek spring near Lake Svetloyar; the water in this spring is considered holy. Here is also the grave of three saints, in which, according to legend, Russian heroes who defended their native land from Batu Khan are buried.

Lake Svetloyar attracts with its pristine beauty and rich nature. There is excellent fishing and hunting here, and beautiful photos are taken against the backdrop of amazing scenery. The lake itself and the legends about it have inspired many artists, composers and writers. If you are going to wander around the area, then you should have a map at hand so as not to get lost.

The transparent soft waves of Svetloyar keep many secrets that our descendants have yet to discover.

Video: song - “Svetloyar”.