Valdai Lake is a living historical memory of Russia. Located on the Valdai Upland 140 km in the southeast direction from Veliky Novgorod, it unites the expanses of the eponymous national park.
Known from ancient times, the lake has kept the secret of its name, and one can only guess what roots underlie the outlandish names of Russian rivers and reservoirs. Let's try to get closer to the riddles of the unique hydronym.
Valdai Upland - the cradle of the waterways of Russia
The beauty and solemnity of Russian nature is fully felt on the Valdai Upland. Magnificent Russian landscapes are decorated with countless rivers and lakes, unique and unique. There are more than three hundred. From here they begin their journey: flowing north to the Baltic, south to the Caspian and Black Seas. Here are the sources of the Volga, the Western Dvina and the Dnieper, hundreds more small rivers and thousands of springs, valued as sources of healing mineral water. A considerable proportion of the Neva waters is collected from the Valdai Upland.
It is no coincidence that Valdai is called the cradle of Russian rivers. It is the beginning of the basins of the three seas and the main source of fresh water in Russia. Included in the top ten cleanest lakes with a unique undulating relief, an abundance of large and small islands, surrounded by unique majestic forests, Valdai Lake is not only of world significance, but also loved by many people who live nearby or come to relax and be alone with Russian history.
Origin of Valdai Lake
Like many flat water bodies, Valdai is of glacial origin. It was he who owed the lake picturesque sloping sandy beaches and magnificent stretches. The nearby Dinner Lake (with emphasis on the last syllable) is connected to Valdai by a 100-meter navigable canal constructed by the monks of the Iversky Monastery. The replenishment of both lakes is carried out mainly due to springs and springs, which makes the water cold and crystal clear, and the bottom is clean. Islands are scattered along the mirror surface of the lake, three of which are especially large: Ryabinovy, Birch and Patatny. The city of Valdai is located on the west bank.
Hydronym Features
If we compare the mirror area of Valdai Lake with its counterparts Seliger or Ilmen, then, of course, it loses without gaining 20 km 2 in the occupied space. The largest length of the reservoir is 10 km and a width of 5 km.
But measuring the lakes with the number of square kilometers is unreasonable. The unique beauty of the mirror surface of a reservoir with a scattering of islands, mesmerizing the charm of the reaches, the grandeur of the Iversky Monastery architectural ensemble that grew on Ryabinovy Island is all the great Valdai Lake.
Reservoir parameters
Despite the fact that the average depth of the lake corresponds to 12 m, the unpredictable topography of the bottom brings surprises: in some places, the depth measurements were 52 meters or more. The lake occupies a deep basin, more than 40% of its total area has a depth of more than 15 m. The mountain ash island, located in the center of the lake, divides it into two reaches - Valdai and Dolgoborodsky. The entire period of the calendar winter and through May the pond is covered by an ice shell. Valdai Lake is only part of a unique lake-forest natural complex, with the aim of protecting which the Valdai State National Park was formed in 1991.
Valdai Lake, the photo of which is presented, is almost standing. The large amount of water available in it with a fairly low flow rate leads to a complete replacement of water about once every 40 years. The purity of the water in these places attracts anglers. According to statistics provided by the administration of the national park, up to 40 tons of fish are caught annually from Valdai Lake, the bulk of which is roach, ruff and perch of medium length.
The origin of the name of Lake Valdai
And today, disputes about the meaning of the word "Valdai" do not cease. The first settlers on the shores of the lake were Finno-Ugric tribes, and the meaning of the word "Valda" is translated from their dialect as "bright, living water." Baltic "Vald" means region, volost, possession. Slavic “volot” is translated as a ruler, a hero. Moldavian “balta” means “swamp”, and we can assume the following translation: “lake in a swampy land”. Now it is impossible to establish how, who and when came up with this name. We can say - how many historians, so many opinions. Some believe that the name of Lake Valdai comes from the name of the legendary handsome man - the blacksmith of Valda, who once lived on the lake and gave his own name to a pond that is as beautiful as he is. Others put forward different versions, but one thing remains undeniable - pure water, uniqueness and the richest flora and fauna of the reservoir sweep away unnecessary disputes - this is a truly bright, life-giving lake.
The origin of the name of Lake Valdai is not so important, the main thing is that it exists from ancient times to the present day and gives us its purity and energy.
Historical background
According to archaeologists, people began to settle on Valdai in the Stone Age. 4-5 thousand years ago, these territories were developed by the Balts (ancestors of the modern Baltic peoples) and Finnish tribes, who left a reminder of themselves in the amazing names of lakes and rivers. In the 1st millennium BC e. Slavs appeared on Valdai, who came from the western Ilmensky lands and from the southern - Dnieper upper reaches.
Chronicle references
Unfortunately, not a single historical document confirms the origin of the name of Lake Valdai. The first annalistic mention of the Valdai village in two yards that arose on the trade route from Moscow to Novgorod dates back to 1495. And even half a century later, Valdai becomes the center of the palace volost, uniting many villages around Lake Valdai, numbering 94 yards and named in the documents the village of Valdai with a village. In 1654, in connection with the construction and opening of the Iversky Monastery on the Ryabinovy Island, the village of Valday was given a different name. From now on, it becomes Bogoroditsky and goes into the possession of the monastery. But time does not stand still. And the village, located on the strategically important Russian highway Moscow - St. Petersburg, is growing rapidly, acquires the status of a city, enters the Novgorod province and returns the glorious name of Valdai.
This takes place in 1770. By this time, a significantly increased population was developing unique crafts: blacksmithing, foundry and baking. Numerous
inns grow like mushrooms
.Iversky Monastery - a majestic monument to Russian Orthodoxy
Valdai Lake - a surprisingly clean, almost untouched corner of civilization - at all times attracted people who were looking for solitude and the meaning of life. So Patriarch Nikon, having looked at these places, in 1653 ordered the construction of a monastery in honor of the miraculous Iveron Icon of the Mother of God on Ryabinovy Island. As conceived by the patriarch, the monastery became the largest center for the unification of universal Orthodoxy on Russian soil and the assembly of world shrines, declaring itself to be a serious phenomenon in the religious and cultural life of the country. The architectural ensemble of the Iversky Monastery itself is unusual and peculiar. Planning of the complex was carried out with the direct personal participation of Nikon, and it has been fully preserved until now. On the basis of this construction, the patriarch opened the first all-Russian school of masons, which led to the incredible scope of stone architecture in the second half of the 17th century.
Iversky cloister - historical shrine
The first provincial Russian printing house worked at the monastery, rare unique crafts developed: unique multi-color tiles were produced, bells were cast. The unique works of icon painters, stone, wood and bone carvers amaze the imagination of modern experts. In 1654, according to the letter granted by Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, the Valdai Lake with islands, a village and fisheries were transferred to the monastery. The monastery began to be called Svyatoozersky, and Lake Valdai - Holy Lake.
The history of the monastery is replete with all sorts of vicissitudes, but the magnificent historical and architectural ensemble has been preserved for centuries. Since 1991, the Iversky monastery was transferred to the Russian Orthodox Church, was reconstructed in 2007-2008 and consecrated by Patriarch Alexy II. Today, travel agencies organize excursions with the right to attend divine services, open access to the holy relics, the miraculous Iveron icon and other holy relics.
Holidays in Valdai
But back to the lake. Its convenient location on the way from Moscow to St. Petersburg allows lovers of country holidays to spend weekends on it and recover by the beginning of the working week. No wonder the origin of the name of Lake Valdai, as most historians are inclined, has a Finnish “Valda” - “pure, bright, lively”. There is no better definition suitable for these places, not only for the lake, but also for the surrounding forests with glades warmed by the sun, keeping secrets for centuries, oaks and powerful cedars full of dignity. Valdai Forests are light and generous in berry glades and mushroom places, pleasing lovers of forest walks.
The status of the national park limits the use of scooters and motor boats, which is why relaxing on the lake is calm and enjoyable. The place of residence depends on the purpose of staying on the lake. Inveterate fishermen who come on vacation and seek to catch as many fish as possible, more often choose private sector houses in nearby villages, whose residents are hospitable and accustomed to periodic visits to city tourists. With them, you can arrange a rental boat. Fishing is a great pastime, allowing you to move away from problems and relax your soul.
It is preferable to spend a family vacation with children, being in a hotel or hotel, providing not only comfortable rooms, but also a full range of services: excursion service, rental of necessary equipment. Valdai Hotels own well-maintained equipped beaches, providing a great vacation for tourists. Interesting educational excursions to the Iversky Monastery, the Museum of the county town and the Museum of Bells. It also offers a choice of hotels, which abound around the entire perimeter of Lake Valdai. Photos of some attractions are presented in the article. The cleanliness and homeliness of cottages and hotels, coupled with the crystal clearness of water and air, the beauty of centuries-old forests will make your vacation unforgettable. Although the mystery of the name of Lake Valdai will remain a mystery.