Location on the map: Mysterious Svityaz Lake
Lake Svityaz is located in Novogrudok District of Grodno Region in the centre of the republican landscape reserve "Svityazyansky". It has a correct rounded shape and is considered one of the most beautiful lakes in Belarus.
A massive emerald necklace – a kilometre-wide forest ring with a unique landscape, rare plants and diverse fauna, frames the lake.
Inimitable landscapes, picturesque coastline and beautiful vegetation create an aura of mystery and fairytale around the lake. Centuries-old giant oaks bring to min
d that once upon a time mighty knights fought on this land, lovers rested there, and the local forest was a favourite place for princes to hunt game.
According to legend, a town of the same name once stood here. Its ruler Tugan, subordinate to Grand Duke Mindaugas, went to defend the capital during the siege of Novogrudok by an enemy army. This campaign became fatal for Svityaz – in the absence of his retinue, the enemy came to the gates of the city. The old men, women and children who remained in the city preferred death to captivity – they set fire to their houses. Nevertheless, the earth suddenly opened up, and Svityaz fell through it. On this place a forest lake was formed. When the prince returned home, he saw a large lake in the place of his residence. A flower was floating in the centre of the lake. In it the prince recognized his daughter. Unable to bear the grief, he turned into a black stork. To this day, one can still hear the lonely cries of the stork on the lake to inform others of his sorrow.
There is also a legend that mermaids appear on the bank of the Svityazi River, which people nicknamed “Svityazianky”. These stories were included in the works of Adam Mickiewicz, a native of Novogrudok District, whose ballads became classics of European literature.
Nowadays, the forest lake is characterized by clear water, which is a unique feature in itself. At all times of the year and regardless of weather conditions, calm and peace emanate from it, and in some places mighty pine trees come right up to the shores, putting their roots into the water.
The area of the lake is 2 and a bit square kilometres, and the inmost depth is 15 metres. It takes less than two hours to get round Svityaz along a narrow winding path.
People consider the lake is a good place for holidays with children: the entrance is gentle, the bottom is sandy and only at depth is lined with black silt. The water level in the lake is always the same and is not affected by droughts, rains or snowmelt.
The most mysterious phenomenon of the lake is that Tetradinium javanicum, which can only be seen on the island of Java, grows here.
Those who like a calm quiet holiday near a beautiful place of water surface, surrounded in ancient legends, will certainly like Lake Svityaz. Here there are all conditions for comfortable rest of tourists.
Welcome to Belarus!