Area of Lake Svetloyar. Lake Svetloyar in the Nizhny Novgorod region. Svetloyar - sacred lake of ancient Rus'
To Svetloyar by bus or by train+bus
By bus Nizhny Novgorod - Voskresenskoye from the Kanavinskaya bus station. Before reaching Voskresensky, get off at the village of Vladimirsky. Travel time to Vladimirsky is 2-2.5 hours.
On commuter train Nizhny Novgorod - Semenov or Nizhny Novgorod - Uren to Semenov, then by bus Semenov - Voskresenskoye to the village of Vladimirskoye.
To Svetloyar by car
Along the Kirov highway. Pass Semenov, get to Bokovaya station (a busy place, there are a lot of trucks, a cafe, a motel), then turn right following the sign for Vladimirskoye and Voskresenskoye, get to the village of Vladimirskoye (turn right), drive through the village to a large parking lot. Next - along the birch alley on foot. Distance from Nizhny Novgorod - 130 km.
Driving directions Nizhny Novgorod - Lake Svetloyar
You can combine a trip to Lake Svetloyar with an excursion to the Levashov estate in Galibikhe, in the village of Troitskoye, in Yurino.
Museum of Epochs and Rusenikhinskoye Settlement
If you drive further from the village of Vladimirskoye towards the village of Voskresenskoye, you can stop by Museum of Ages. Between the village of Vladimirskoye and the village of Voskresenskoye there is a left turn with a sign to Tekun and the Museum of Epochs. The museum is located 7 km from this turn, in the village of Rusenikha (there are signs along the way).
IN Museum of Epochs contains exhibitions dedicated to the history of the Vetluga region, including the existence of a mysterious creature that once lived in these areas - the “vetlugosaurus”, as well as exhibitions of paintings by local artists. Excursions are held for any number of people. Near the museum there are the remains of the ancient Rusenikhinsky settlement and an observation deck with a wonderful view of the Vetluzhsky distance. The museum itself is located in an ordinary village house. Close to the museum and on observation deck There are stands with a description and map of the route of the ethno-ecological trail, which you can follow if you wish. Museum opening hours(data for 2014): Tuesday-Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (lunch 1 p.m.-2 p.m.), Sunday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Monday are days off. |
Excursions to Svetloyar from Nizhny Novgorod
What to see in Svetloyar
History of Lake Svetloyar
Svetloyar is one of the most legendary and mysterious lakes in Russia: scientists have still not come to a consensus regarding its origin. The legend about the miraculous immersion of the city of Kitezh in its waters, which did not surrender to Batu Khan, formed the basis of Rimsky-Korsakov’s opera “The Tale of invisible city Kitezh and the Maiden Fevronia” served as material for paintings by Vasnetsov, Nesterov, and Roerich.
The Legend of the City of Kitezh
A long time ago, even before the advent of the Tatars, Grand Duke Georgy Vsevolodovich built the city of Maly Kitezh (present-day Gorodets) on the Volga, and then, “crossing the quiet and rusty rivers Uzola, Sandu and Kerzhenets,” he went to Lunda and Svetloyar for “very beautiful "The place where the city of Kitezh Bolshoi was located. This is how the glorious Kitezh city appeared on the shore of the lake. Six domes of churches towered in the center of the city. And Greater Kitezh was great and famous.
But the black year came - Batya’s invasion swept across Rus'. In 1238, after the destruction of the Vladimir-Suzdal principality, Batu Khan set up a camp on the City River. After another unequal battle, Prince Yuri Vsevolodovich with the remnants of his troops retreated to Maly Kitezh. However, Batu took it by storm, and the prince and the remnants of his army miraculously managed to escape to Greater Kitezh. The Mongol-Tatars burned Little Kitezh, filled it with blood, and tortured the prisoners: where is Big Kitezh, in which the prince took refuge, how to find the way there? One of them could not stand the torment - he led his enemies through the Trans-Volga taiga. But Kitezh, when it was surrounded by enemies, did not surrender to them: its inhabitants prayed to God, and he protected them. The city sank down, and it was covered from above by earthen caps - hills and a lake. Horror seized the enemies, and they fled away from this miracle.
Now there is a path to the lake, which is called the Batu Trail. It can lead to the glorious city of Kitezh, but not everyone, but only those who are pure in heart and soul. Since then, the city has been invisible, but intact, and the especially righteous can see the lights of religious processions in the depths of the lake and hear the ringing of its bells.
In fact great depth Lake Svetloyar (up to 36 m), its oval shape with a funnel-shaped bottom, and the purity of the water make the origin of this lake mysterious and were the basis for the widespread belief about its karst origin. However, studies carried out in the area of Lake Svetloyar by the geological survey party of the Gorky geological exploration expedition did not confirm this. An almost 300-meter well drilled near the lake showed that to a depth of about 250 meters there are no rocks susceptible to karst. This quarter-kilometer thickness is represented mainly by rocks such as loams, clays, sandstones, and marls. And the deeper-lying limestones, gypsum, and anhydrites are not affected by karst processes. The expedition's research led to the conclusion that Svetloyar is a remnant of the ancient bed of the Lunda River (the right tributary of the Vetluga), half a kilometer from which it is located. The lake has a flow into Lundu and abundant spring feeding, which explains the purity and freshness of its water.
Kibelek Key and the Tomb of the Three Saints
As you go up to the church on the hill, you will see a path to the right of the church and a sign “Kibelek Key”. The path will lead to the barrier. Behind the barrier you need to go right along highway. The road through the field will lead to the forest. Then go into the forest along the same road. There are signs along the way. Soon the road will end and there will be a path. Walk along the path - platforms should appear on the path. Follow them all the way to the spring. The distance from Lake Svetloyar to the Kibelek spring is about 2 km. The water in the Kibelek spring is holy.
History of the Kibelek key and the tombs of the three saints
According to legend, a battle between the Kitezh squad and the Tatars took place in this place. Three Kitezh heroes died here in an unequal battle, defending the Russian land.
There is also a well here, the water from which is also considered holy, and nearby there are three crosses in memory of the fallen soldiers. A little further, in the forest, there is a clearing with three graves of warriors. From these graves, believers take earth, which helps to heal from various ailments.
Lake Svetloyar, located in the Nizhny Novgorod region, is considered one of the most fabulous and unusual bodies of water Russia. Local residents call Svetloyar Atlantis. And it is no coincidence - it is believed that once on the shore of the lake (back in the days of the Tatar-Mongol yoke) there stood beautiful city Kitezh. 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. Maximum depth- 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 bell ringing emanating from the lake itself.
Rest on Lake Svetloyar in the Nizhny Novgorod region
The lake is located on the territory natural park Voskresenskoye Povetluzhye, 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 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. Central location 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 among believers sacred place. 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 east coast Lake Svetloyar is located in 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, as well as 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
This miracle of nature is located in the Nizhny Novgorod region near the village of Voskresenskoye. For many years it has been officially a natural monument. federal significance and pilgrims from all over the country come here. In the near future they plan to make it an object of cultural significance in Russia.
The Legend of Lake Svetloyar
The story of the city of Kitezh is still under detailed study of its authenticity; there are many skeptics, but when faced with its uniqueness, they are all stunned and often change their minds.
The Great Yuri Vsevolodovich first built Little Kitezh on the banks of the Volga, amazed by the beauty local nature, after which he ordered the construction of the city of Greater Kitezh. The result was a large and majestic city with big amount temples.
From history we know that in 1239 Batu Khan decided to attack Rus' and soon his horde captured Small Kitezh, and Prince Yuri Vsevolodovich himself took refuge in the forests. Many prisoners were at the mercy of the wicked horde, and one of them, under cruel torture, revealed the place where the prince was hiding and pointed out the quick path to Greater Kitezh. Soon Khan Batu with his army attacked and killed the Grand Duke.
And in this place, history is closely intertwined with legend, which causes numerous disputes among contemporaries. After all, Yuri Vsevolodovich really died in an unequal battle with the Tatar-Mongol yoke. From the legend it follows that on the eve of the attack, watchmen warned the city residents about the possible danger of an attack. In the morning, many civilians fell under the weapons of the Tatar-Mongols.
The first to fall were three patrolmen who fought bravely and tried to defend the city. At the place of their death, the holy spring of Kibelek suddenly appeared. Holy water from it still exists and people come to drink it and take it with them. The inhabitants of the city did not prepare for war and did not even erect any fortifications; the only means of their defense was sincere prayer to God.
The Legend of Lake Svetloyar
They begged to be saved and not to let the horde through. From the legend it follows that God heard their prayers at the moment when the soldiers had already broken into the city and at that moment, out of nowhere, springs began to emerge from the ground, which instantly flooded the city. Frightened opponents fled in horror from the city. In a matter of minutes the city, along with all the buildings and local residents went under the water, as if he was not there at all. For a long time, in the middle of the lake, the dome of the cathedral could be seen, which after a while also disappeared, and sometimes even the ringing of bells could be heard.
From the legend it follows that to this day, in sunny weather, people can be heard singing and the sound of bells.
Annual celebration on Lake Svetloyar
The lake is considered sacred. Celebrations there were organized by pagans in honor of their sun god Yarila. This is where the name Svetly Yar came from. This international center pilgrimages of Orthodox people from all over the world, pagans also organize their trips to the holy place.
Lake Svetloyar
On the night of July 6, the Yanka Kupala holiday is celebrated; it is on this day that processions and gatherings of pilgrims are organized. Great amount Christians carry out a religious procession around Lake Svetloyar, also timed to coincide with the holiday dedicated to the Holy Icon of the Vladimir Mother of God. Immediately after the procession, young girls float wreaths on the water and bonfires are lit, over which not only young people jump.
There is an opinion, and many believers constantly confirm it, that if you make a sincere wish from a pure heart and walk around the lake three times with a lit candle, then it will certainly come true. During the Great Patriotic War, local women performed this ritual several times a year, appealing to God to save the lives of their loved ones who were at the front.
Temple and footprint of the Virgin Mary on the holy lake
There is an old temple nearby; services are rarely held there, only taking into account holidays and a special schedule. On the way to it you will see two large stones, the so-called “stop stones”:
- On the first of which, following legend, there is a trace of the Blessed Virgin Mary;
- The second stone for kneeling in prayer was used by Seraphim of Sarov.
At first glance, it may even seem that church ministers are skeptical about such a relic, because they are not protected at all and look quite ordinary. However, pilgrims firmly believe in the veracity of the legend and pray before the shrine. Everyone who comes to the lake always lights a candle there and asks for help. It is customary to turn to “stop workers” with a prayer for the health of seriously ill loved ones, and church ministers can vying with each other to tell you real stories from life, where after a short period of time people were healed.
The wonderful power of Lake Svetloyar. Reviews of those who felt its effect
People in desperate situations often believe in any means of salvation; a trip to Lake Svetloyar is no exception. It is believed that the lake itself has the right to choose when it can let you near it.
Pilgrimage to Lake Svetloyar
It’s not for nothing that, despite its easy accessibility, many people drive in circles and still cannot notice the lake, although its diameter is significant.
From a letter from our reader:
“Once, while visiting the lake, my father saw a woman crawling on her knees three circles around the lake. Later he found out that she was seriously ill and simply could not walk for so long, but she did not want her children to do it for her alone, but wanted to do her bit. At that time, she was already very exhausted by the disease, but according to her, she did not lose hope for healing. And imagine his surprise when a year later he saw her on the same lake, but already on her feet and noticeably stronger. Is this really a miracle? Since then, our whole family believed that the lake really has healing properties.”
This is just one of the stories; when you come to the lake one day, you will see with your own eyes people who will happily tell you about how the religious procession and prayers at Svetloyar changed their lives.
How to get to Svetloyar
Getting to the lake will not be difficult; every resident of the northern part of the Nizhny Novgorod region will be able to show the way literally on their fingers. Modern navigators have long been equipped with the exact route to the lake.
Territorial location of the village of Vladimirskoye, Voskresensky district, Nizhny Novgorod region, approximately 200 kilometers from the city. The average travel time from the city center is 2 hours, and special shuttle buses even depart from bus stations.
If you are going to go by train, then there is no direct route and you will have to go with transfers to Semenov, and then change to a bus to the village of Voskresenskoye.
Note that it will be very easy to walk around the lake, thanks to the built wooden paths running along Svetloyar, but parking a car may be a problem if you choose a day for your trip that coincides with an Orthodox holiday.
Video: Lake Svetloyar
Svetloyar is a lake with which the legend of the sunken city of Kitezh is associated.
Located in the Nizhny Novgorod Trans-Volga region, approximately 130 km northeast of regional center and 1-1.5 km west of the village of Vladimirskoye, Voskresensky district. Natural monument of federal significance. The lake is planned to be made a cultural heritage site.
The lake is located in the interfluve of the Kerzhenets and Vetluga rivers, the left tributaries of the Volga. It has the shape of an oval with dimensions of 470×350 m with a long axis in the north-south direction, differs from neighboring lakes in its great depth, reaching 33.4 m.
Most deep point- in the southern part of the lake, where the bottom depression has the shape of a funnel, which is a continuation of the steep southern shores. To the north of this depression at the bottom there is a flat area with a depth of 22-24 m. In the northern, relatively shallow part of the lake, the depth changes are smoother compared to the southern part. The height of the lake surface above sea level is 109 m.
The shores of the lake are somewhat elevated, and the lake itself is located in a basin; the hills surrounding the lake are most clearly visible from the south, where they form an arc. The height of the hills reaches 122-124 m above sea level (13-15 m above the lake's water line), the hills are separated by deep (7-8 m) ravines. The unusually clear water is of the hydrocarbonate-calcium type, transparent to a depth of more than 5 m. The lake is cold and is fed by numerous bottom springs. The banks are slightly swampy.
0.5 km to the northeast flows the small shallow river Lunda, with which the lake is connected by a stream. The flow from the lake through the stream, partially disrupted by the construction of a road to Soviet time(as a result the lake began to become swampy), was restored in the 1990s.
The volume of the lake basin (not the lake itself) is about 1.5 km3, the area of the water surface is 14.83 hectares. The thickness of bottom sediments is about 8 m.
The lake is located on the territory of the Voskresenskoye Povetluzhye natural park (protected zone of the Nizhny Novgorod Povetluzhie, natural Park regional significance), created in 2008.
An attentive reader has noticed that on our website the concepts of Mari El and Mari Region are different!
Actually, Mari El is a well-known republic, with its geographical boundaries, administrative regions and settlements.
And the Mari region includes much more!
Historically, the territory of settlement of the Mari people extended west to Kerzhenets River and further to the Nizhny Novgorod region, everyone also knows the rivers and Mari sanctuaries in the territory Kirov region, the Mari occupied large territories in the south - to the Kazanka and Kama rivers. And in the east, the borders of the Mari region reached Vyatka. There are still places where Eastern Mari live compactly, but that will be a different story.
(13th century handwritten map of the settlement of peoples in the Nizhny Novgorod region) 
In this article we will focus on the most famous lake of the interfluve Vetlugi And Kerzhents, and on the most famous lake Central Russia- on legendary Svetloyar!!!
Every person has heard more than once the legend about the hidden city of Kitezh and wonderful lake Svetloyar!
But even a thousand years ago, the Mari lived in the dense forests of this region, and in the north of present-day Rus': from the Baltic to Ural mountains the Finno-Ugric belt of related peoples extended: Komi, Karelians, Chud, Mer, Meshchera, Berendeys, Mari, Mordovians, Udmurts, Permyaks, Khanty, Mansi, etc.
A bunch of geographical names Central Russia testifies to this, including the end of the lakes: -Yar, -Er, which are clearly of Mari origin. It is among the Western Mari that the lake is called: yar, for example, the lakes located near Svetloyar are Nestiyar, Patyar, Kuzmiyar, Izyar, Ardinskoe, Shorskoye, Moryar, Yuronskoye, etc.
It is impossible not to mention the names of rivers in the Nizhny Novgorod region, which very often have Finno-Ugric roots, and also a direct origin from the Mari language.
Here is just a short selection of the most obvious examples:
Vadok(the left tributary of the Piana in the Vad region of the same name flows through a heavily karstified area, replete with sinkholes), or Vatka (as Vadok was called on maps of the 18th century). This name is obviously of Finno-Ugric origin, preserved since then (until the 10th-11th centuries), when ancient tribes of this group of peoples lived in these places. The name is based on the word vad (vyut), meaning water, as indicated by its modern name in Mari (vud). The village of Vad was named after this river.
Vezloma(the left tributary of the Volga, flowing in the Bor region) is a name of Finno-Ugric origin, preserved from the 10th-11th centuries. when the ancient tribes of this group of peoples (in particular, the Meshchera) lived along the banks of the river. It consists of two words: vez (water) and loma (lake) and in semantic translation means “a river flowing through lakes” (indeed, Vezloma forms several lakes on its way).
It is located 130 km from Nizhny Novgorod, near the village of Vladimirskoye, in the Nizhny Novgorod Trans-Volga region, in the interfluve of the Vetluga and Kerzhenets rivers. Recognized as a natural monument of federal significance. The lake has an oval shape (a thermonuclear explosion that wiped out another city from the face of the earth?), and is small in size - about 500 meters in length and width. But at the same time it differs from neighboring lakes in its great depth, reaching 34 meters.
The water in Svetloyar is crystal clear, transparent, coming from a deep fissure in its bottom. And due to the fact that the lake is fed by numerous bottom springs, the water is cold.
For several centuries now, the most incredible legends and rumors have been written about Svetloyar. After all, how many unprecedented miracles happen on its shores and how many secrets it keeps within itself!
So, let's look at what Svetloyar amazes and surprises with, what secrets and mysteries it keeps around itself:
It surprises with its unusual relief shapes: from a bird's eye view the lake looks like a round coin, and in cross section it resembles the profile of a huge diamond;
The amazing transparency of the water is amazing, and its mirror surface reflects the sky, trees and churches. The healing properties of water are also unique;
Interesting here vegetable world: about 30 plant species grow on the shores, which in turn is not typical for this high latitude. You can also find this here rare view flowers like the southern orchid;
An interesting fact is that until now scientists have not been able to come to a unanimous opinion about the history of Svetloyar. IN different time researchers have expressed various hypotheses of its origin: meteorite, karst, glacial, volcanic, oxbow, cosmic. And of all the hypotheses, the meteorite one was confirmed by a number of studies. What’s most interesting is that there are thousands of cities around the world in which a meteorite accidentally fell and formed a round and deep lake.
On old maps, the city of Kitezh stood in this place
The bottom of Lake Svetloyar. Part 1
like any strange place, then it will always be protected by the state and will turn into a natural park or reserve, where any archaeological excavations will be prohibited.
To summarize, Lake Svetloyar Nizhny Novgorod Region- one of the most beautiful places on the ground, a real gem Russian nature. It is considered one of the most legendary and mysterious lakes in our country. And it’s not for nothing that the lake is called the little Russian Atlantis! Its mystery and extraordinary beauty attract millions of tourists!