Between Moscow and St. Petersburg, on the picturesque wooded hills of the Valdai Upland, is one of the largest and most beautiful lakes in Russia - Seliger. Actually, this is not a single body of water, but a chain of small lakes interconnected by narrow channels. They are of glacial origin, this explains this bizarre form of the reservoir. The coast is indented with capes and bays, many islands and reaches make it unusual and attractive. The origin of the name of Lake Seliger is very interesting - there are several versions of this. Sometimes it is also called Ostashkovsky, but this is rare. The surroundings of the lake are beautiful places that attract many tourists. People come there all year round to enjoy the picturesque views and clean air.
The origin of the name of Lake Seliger
The first mention of this reservoir is found in chronicles of the 12th century. And in them he is called Seriger. Most often, the origin of this word is associated with the Finnish language, because the first inhabitants in these places were Finno-Ugric tribes. But the opinions of linguists on this issue differ. There are several theories that explain the origin of the name of Lake Seliger:
- Most often, this word is attributed to the Finnish language and is translated as "a clear, rugged lake." This is the most plausible version, because Seliger really has very clean, clear water and a fancifully rugged coastline.
- Sometimes the name of the lake is associated with other Finnish words: "high lake" or "black lake". But these versions are unproven.
- The meaning of this word is also interpreted as "a lake on the trail." Indeed, before Seliger lay on the path connecting the Volga and the Baltic. Here, ships were dragged from one water basin to another.
- No less common is the version when the origin of the name "Seliger" is associated with the Mongolian word for "moon on earth", because this is how the reservoir looks in winter.
History of Lake Seliger
It is believed that this reservoir appeared about 20 thousand years ago. Seliger is located on the site of a glacier, which hosted here for a very long time. Therefore, such a rugged relief around the lake. When the glacier left, water filled the largest hollows and remained there in the form of lakes. The largest are Seliger and Ilmen. Places there are reserved - rich forests, clear water and clean air. Therefore, people are so eager to come to rest on Lake Seliger. The origin of the name is of interest to many - such antiquity and unusualness blows from this word. It is amazing that these reserved places have preserved their ancient spirit, because from the very beginning of the resettlement of a person there, a life was in full swing near a reservoir. The history of Lake Seliger is rich. This territory remembers the ancient Finns, Lithuanians, enemy raids and the famous trade route "from the Varangians to the Greeks."
What is this lake region?
Seliger is located at an altitude of 200 meters above sea level.
The lake itself has an unusual shape, in fact, it is a chain of lakes, stretching from north to south for a hundred kilometers. They are connected by narrow ducts. In addition, there are more than 150 islands in the lake itself. The largest of them also has lakes. Therefore, a full description of Seliger listing the canals, islands and reaches would take a very long time. And it is difficult to study it at a time at the terrain: the entire basin occupies more than two thousand kilometers, and the lake itself is about 250. More than five hundred kilometers of the coastline are fantastically indented: wooded capes protrude into the water and narrow bays interrupt it. It is no coincidence that the origin of the name of Lake Seliger is often associated with the Finnish word, which translates as "rugged lake". Many islands and narrow channels also make it difficult to study the territory of the reservoir. But this is precisely what creates that unique atmosphere, which attracts many tourists there.
Nature on the lake
Seliger is a unique place, such an ecologically clean corner of protected nature, which has no analogues in all of Europe.
The territory of the lake is very wooded, many species of trees grow here. This forest is mentioned in the "Tale of Bygone Years" under the name of Okovsky. Beautiful coniferous and mixed arrays, rich in mushrooms and berries, alternate with glades covered with immortelle flowers, heather or bought. The water in the lake is incredibly clean and transparent, you can even drink it off the coast. Therefore, there are more than thirty species of different fish. And in the vicinity of the reservoir there are many small and large animals and birds.
Seliger - tourist destination
This is a very unusual and interesting place. Everyone who comes there can find something interesting for themselves. The surrounding area attracts many tourists.
Numerous recreation centers accept lovers of car, water and hiking. There you can just relax and breathe fresh air, drunk with the smell of pine needles, swim in clean clear water. Seliger provides many opportunities for hunters and fishers. About 60 species of small and large game have been preserved in the surrounding forests, and the lake itself is full of fish. You can travel along the canals and small lakes in a kayak or go sailing along the wide stretches. Shipping is also developed. The ship runs 8 times a day between Ostashkov and the island of Gorodomlya. Those who have visited those places at least once will never forget the clear water of Lake Seliger. The origin of the name is often associated with just such a translation of the Finnish word: "transparent lake".
Seliger Attractions
In addition to natural beauties, lovers of ancient architecture will be interesting on the lake. Here you can find not only monuments of ancient architecture, but also Neolithic sites, ancient settlements, villages and estates that have preserved the spirit of antiquity. All visitors to Seliger fall into the city of Ostashkov. Already this place is striking in silence and originality. Beautiful houses with carved platbands, ancient churches and monasteries immerse tourists in the atmosphere of the 17-19 centuries. But the most famous attraction of Lake Seliger is the Nilova Deserts. Located on the island of Pillar, the active monastery is attracting tourists with its age - it was founded in the 16th century. Of the natural attractions, one can note the huge island of Khachin, on which there are 13 lakes, a reserve on the island of Klichen and the source of the Volga River.
Mysteries of Lake Seliger
These ancient places have many secrets. Starting with the huge "Horse-stone" with a mysterious sign embossed on it and ending with the legend of a mysterious monster that lives in the waters of the lake. These places attract lovers of mysticism and those who want to find the legendary treasure of Batu. Somewhere on the lands of the Iversky Monastery an ancient oak grows, about which they say that it fulfills desires.
