Abkhazia is an amazing place to which God gave fabulously beautiful nature, healing waters, crystal clear air. It is not surprising that vacationers come here from different parts of the world to enjoy the local sights, and at the same time to improve their health. And there really is something to see. The sea, lakes, fast rivers, dense forests, high mountains - this is Abkhazia. Ritsa Lake is one of the attractions of this country, remembered by absolutely all tourists.
Lake Ritsa rightfully bears the title of a miracle of Abkhazia, because this is the most amazing creation of nature. It is located in the Bzyb river basin inside a huge stone bowl. The lake is located in the gorge of the Yupshary and Lashps rivers at an altitude of 950 m above sea level, so to get to it, you need to overcome a difficult path. In some places, Ritsa reaches a depth of 131 meters, its area is 132 hectares. The lake is fed by glaciers, which even in the hot season do not descend from the peaks of the inaccessible mountains surrounding Ritsa.
Geologists agree that Lake Ritsa is quite young and formed about 250 - 300 thousand years ago. A strong earthquake could have contributed to this, because of which the slope fell off Mount Pshegishha and fell into the Lashpsu River, damming it as a result.
Depending on the season, the lake changes color: in autumn and winter it is azure, and in spring and summer it is emerald. This is facilitated by lapis lazuli - a surprisingly beautiful mineral lying at the bottom of the Ritsa. It is he who makes the water surface look like sapphire. In summer, the lake looks like an emerald, because a microscopic plant phytoplankton appears in it. It is also an indicator of the purity of local waters, because it does not tolerate pollution and lives only in clean spring water.
Although there is a scientific version of how Lake Ritsa was created, but locals love to tell legends about its origin. So, according to one of them, there used to be a robbery settlement in this place. One evening a stranger came to him, but no one wanted to let him into the house, only one old woman took pity on the man and allowed him to spend the night. In the morning he thanked her and warned of the danger hanging over this area. Soon the storm really began, and a beautiful lake appeared at the place of the village.
There is another, more romantic legend. A very beautiful girl named Ritsa lived in the mountains and had three brothers - Acetuk, Agepst and Przegihsha. The brothers went hunting, and their sister prepared food for them. Once, in anticipation of the Ritz brothers, she went for a walk in the forest so that the girl would not be bored. Her beautiful voice attracted the attention of the robbers Yupshar and Geg, seeing the beauty, they immediately decided to abduct her. Yupshara abused Ritsa, and she threw herself into the lake in despair. The brothers found out about everything, found the robber and turned him into the Yupshara River, while they themselves were petrified and remained forever in the mountains, guarding the peace of their sister.
Today, Lake Ritsa gathers around itself millions of tourists who want to see the beauty of these places. Boats sweep along the water surface, boats slowly sail. Relax completely, renounce everyday problems, gain strength Lake Ritsa will help. Abkhazia is an amazing place where you always want to admire the smoothness of the lake and the landscape of majestic mountains.