Origin of the name of Lake Seliger. Lake Seliger: description, history

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 one pond, but a chain of small lakes connected by narrow channels. They have a glacial origin, and this explains the bizarre shape of the reservoir. The banks are cut with capes and bays, many islands and reaches make it unusual and attractive. Very interesting is the origin of the name of Lake Seliger - there are several versions of this. Sometimes it is also called Ostashkovsky, but this happens rarely. The surroundings of the lake are beautiful places that attract a lot of tourists. All year round people come there to enjoy picturesque views and clean air.

Origin of the name of Lake Seliger

The first mention of this reservoir is found in the annals of the 12th century. And in them it 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 diverge. There are several theories explaining the origin of the name of Lake Seliger:

1. Most often this word is attributed to the Finnish language and translated as a "transparent, rugged lake". This is the most plausible version, because Seliger really has very clean, transparent water and a quaintly cut coastline.
2. Sometimes the name of the lake is associated with other Finnish words: "high-lying lake" or "plovdivoe lake." But these versions are unproven.
3. The meaning of this word is interpreted as "a lake on a wake". After all, Seliger used to lie on the path connecting the Volga and the Baltic. Here ships were dragged from one water basin to another.
4. No less common is the version, when the origin of the name "Seliger" is associated with the Mongolian word for "moon on earth", because that's how the pond looks in winter.

History of Lake Seliger

It is believed that this pond appeared about 20 thousand years ago. Seliger is located on the site of a glacier that has been hosting here for a very long time. Therefore, such a rugged relief around the lake. When the glacier left, the water filled the largest depressions and remained there in the form of lakes. The biggest 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 - this antiquity and unusualness is blowing from this word. It's amazing that these reserved places have preserved their ancient spirit, because from the very beginning of settling a man there was a life around the pond. The history of Lake Seliger is rich. This territory remembers the ancient Finns, Lithuanians, raids of enemies and the famous trade route "from the Varangians to the Greeks".

What is this lake edge?

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 one hundred kilometers. They are connected by narrow channels. In addition, there are more than 150 islands in the lake. On the largest of them, too, there are lakes. Therefore, a complete description of Seliger with a listing of ducts, islands and reaches would take a very long time. And it's difficult to study on the terrain at once: the whole basin's area occupies more than two thousand kilometers, and the lake itself is about 250. Over five hundred kilometers of coastline are fancifully cut: wooded capes enter into the water, 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 "a rugged lake". A lot of islands and narrow channels also make it difficult to study the territory of the reservoir. But it is this that creates a unique atmosphere that attracts a lot of tourists.

Nature on the territory of the lake

Seliger is a unique place, an ecologically clean corner of nature that has no analogues in the whole of Europe. The territory of the lake is very wooded, many kinds of trees grow here. This forest is mentioned in the "Tale of Bygone Years" under the name of Okovsky. Fine coniferous and mixed massifs, rich in mushrooms and berries, alternate with glades covered with flowers of immortelle, heather or burbots. The water in the lake is incredibly clean and clear, you can even drink it off the coast. Therefore, there are more than thirty species of different fish. And in the vicinity of the pond there are many small and large animals and birds.

Seliger - tourist land

This is a very unusual and interesting place. Everyone who comes there can find something interesting for themselves. The vicinity of the lake attracts many tourists. Numerous recreation centers take lovers of motor, water and hiking. There you can just relax and breathe fresh air, sweetened with the smell of pine needles, bathe in clear clear water. Many opportunities are provided by Seliger for hunters and fishermen. In the surrounding forests, there are about 60 species of small and large game, and in the lake is full of fish. You can travel along the canals and small lakes in a kayak or walk along the wide sails. Developed also shipping. Between Ostashkov and the island of Gorodomlya, the ship runs eight times a day. Those who have visited those places at least once, will never forget the clean water of Lake Seliger. The origin of its name is often associated with this translation of the Finnish word: "transparent lake".

Seliger Attractions

In addition to natural beauty, it will be interesting to fans of ancient architecture on the lake. Here you can find not only the monuments of ancient architecture, but also the Neolithic sites, ancient settlements, villages and manors that have preserved the spirit of antiquity. All visitors to Seliger come to the town of Ostashkov. Already this place is struck by 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 sight of Lake Seliger is the Nilova Desert. Located on the island of Stolbny operating monastery attracts tourists with its age - it was founded in the 16th century. Of the natural attractions can be noted the huge island of Khachin, which is 13 lakes, a reserve on the island of Klichen and the source of the Volga River.

Mysteries of Lake Seliger

These ancient places contain many secrets. Starting with a huge "horse-stone" with a mysterious sign knocked out on it and ending with a legend about a mysterious monster that lives in the waters of the lake. These places attract mystical lovers and those who want to find the legendary treasure of Batu. Somewhere on the lands of the Iberian monastery an ancient oak grows, about which they say that it fulfills desires.

The history, the name of the mysterious Lake Seliger, its untouched nature reserve nature attracts many tourists every year. There you can not only enjoy beautiful views, but also improve your health by breathing clean, refreshed pine needles, air.