Lake Synevyr (another name is Morske Oko) is the largest and most beautiful lake of the Ukrainian Carpathians, spread between the mountains, in the middle of a spruce forest at an altitude of 989 meters above sea level. It is located in the Mizhhirsky district of the Transcarpathian region, in the mountain massif of the Inner Gorgans. Synevyr Lake is considered the pearl of the Carpathians and is the most interesting object of the Synevyr National Park. Its water surface has an area of 4-5 hectares, the average depth ranges from 8 to 10 meters, and the maximum reaches 24 meters.
Lake Synevyr – Morske Oko
Lake Synevyr was formed as a result of a strong landslide caused by an earthquake about 10,000 years ago. Rocky mountain rocks stood in the way of the fast flow, formed a dam and blocked the narrow valley. The resulting basin was filled with the waters of three mountain streams. After the landslide, the water still found an outlet in the narrow body of the dam, and the lake became flowing. The temperature of the upper layer of water in summer does not heat up more than 18 ° C, and at a depth of 2-2.5 meters the temperature drops to 10-13 ° C. The deep layers of water in both summer and winter have an equally low temperature – about 4 ° C.
Lake, spring and rainbow trout are very fond of the clear waters of Synevyr Lake. She spends almost all her time away from the shore. But on warm days, it swims in shallow places to the shores of the lake. Minnows are small fish, schools of which swim incessantly near the shore in search of food. There are also many crayfish in the lake.
Synevyr lake has the shape of a slightly distorted quadrangle – small capes form insignificant bays. In the middle of the reservoir, like the pupil of a huge blue eye, there is a small island with an area of only a few meters. This is where the popular name – Sea Eye came from. During the period of rising water level, it is completely covered by water and disappears.
The shores of Lake Synevyr are steep, and in places even precipitous. Century-old firs and spruces grow around the reservoir. In the western part of Synevir, an observation deck harmoniously fits into the surrounding landscape. On the eastern bank rises the 13-meter-high sculptural composition “Syn and Vyr”, which was made of mahogany by Transcarpathian sculptors M. Sanych and I. Brodin.
Sin and Vyr
The two fairy-tale figures that meet the guests above the lake are Sin and Vyr, who once lived in these parts. It is their love that Synevyr Lake is dedicated to, according to legend, it appeared here because of them. Wooden images of two lovers are reflected in the water, emphasizing how calm it is. But once upon a time, dramatic events unfolded in these places, which are told by a beautiful ancient legend.
A long time ago, there lived a rich count in these parts, who had a daughter Xin. One day he decided to go to the forest to see if his woodcutters were doing well, and Xin asked to go with him. While the count was talking to the woodcutters, the daughter went for a walk. She was slowly walking through the forest, plucking flowers, when suddenly she heard the strange sounds of a pipe. Xin wanted to find out where these melodious sounds were coming from, and soon she came to a meadow where, surrounded by grazing sheep, sat the shepherd Vyr, from whose pipe an enchanting melody poured. She asked Vir to play for her again and again – and so on until late in the evening, until it was time to go home. As she left, Xin promised to return here again, and they began to secretly meet more and more often. When the father found out about his daughter’s secret fascination, he was indignant and forbade her to meet the shepherd. but this did not stop the girl in love. The old count threatened the young man that he would execute him if he did not leave his daughter alone, but he was not afraid of these threats. Then the old count ordered the shepherd Vir to be killed. The servants pushed a huge boulder on the boy, and Xin came, saw what happened to her lover, sat down by his stone “grave” and wept bitterly. Her tears flooded the meadow, and soon the girl herself disappeared into the embrace of the blue waters of the great lake. Local residents named the lake in honor of the lovers – Synevyr. The color of the water in the lake is the color of Sina’s eyes, and the island in the middle of the lake is the place of Vira’s death. and Xin came, saw what happened to her beloved, sat down by his stone “grave” and wept bitterly. Her tears flooded the meadow, and soon the girl herself disappeared into the embrace of the blue waters of the great lake. Local residents named the lake in honor of the lovers – Synevyr. The color of the water in the lake is the color of Sina’s eyes, and the island in the middle of the lake is the place of Vira’s death. and Xin came, saw what happened to her beloved, sat down by his stone “grave” and wept bitterly. Her tears flooded the meadow, and soon the girl herself disappeared into the embrace of the blue waters of the great lake. Local residents named the lake in honor of the lovers – Synevyr. The color of the water in the lake is the color of Sina’s eyes, and the island in the middle of the lake is the place of Vira’s death.
Synevyr National Nature Park
Synevyr Lake is part of the Synevyr National Nature Park, which was created in 1989. The area of the park is 40,400 hectares, 5,807 of which are designated as a protected area.
On the territory of Synevyr Park there is the well-known Glukhanya swamp, as well as the natural monument Lake Ozirtse. There are also other interesting objects: sights of wooden architecture, mineral springs, the Museum of Forestry and Alloying, the Museum of Architecture and Life “Stare Selo”, the Kamianetsky Waterfall.
The local flora and fauna are unique – 22 species of animals and 40 species of plants are listed in the Red Book of Ukraine. In 2011, the first rehabilitation center for brown bears in Ukraine was opened on the territory of the national park. It was created to help bears that were illegally kept in captivity and suffered cruel treatment. About a year ago, the first Ukrainian horror film in 3D called “Synevyr” was filmed near the lake.
Guests of Synevir are offered a variety of excursions in the mountains – walks in the surroundings, climbing Ozirna, horseback riding. You can rent tourist equipment, bicycles. Horseback riding along the coast is offered.
Lake Synevyr video:
Lake Synevyr map:
Visit nearby:
Shipit waterfall, Pylypets, Transcarpathia
Shipit waterfall is located in a fabulously beautiful place. It is surrounded by a fragrant coniferous forest, silence and coolness. While walking in this beautiful place, you will hear the magical singing of birds, immerse yourself in the harmonious atmosphere of the forest kingdom and suddenly hear the growing hum. This is the noise of Shipit waterfall. Its water jets burst from a 14-meter height, forming several magnificent cascades and dispersing the spray with a cloud of transparent drops. The views of tourists are truly fascinated by this unusual natural wonder.
Tours in Transcarpathia / Tourist locations in Transcarpathia / Synevyr Lake 0/ Synevyr Lake Legend 0/ Synevyr Lake interesting facts 0/ 07.23 / Where to go in the Carpathians?
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