There is a very picturesque natural monument in the Moscow Region - the village of Kratovo. It is considered such to a greater extent due to the beautiful forest lake, which is the main attraction of these places.
Kratovskoe forest lake is located in the middle of a pine massif in the Ramensky district of the Moscow region. Lovers of outdoor recreation and fishermen often come here. Favorite is this place and the bride and groom.
Description of the lake
The pond is surrounded by pine forest and forest clearings. A small rocky stream flows from this lake and enters the Lake Zavetnoe Bolshoy.
The shores of Kratovsky Lake are in places steep, steep (western) and rocky. But there are gentle, with a convenient entrance to the water. Water lilies and other aquatic vegetation are visible in places on the water surface.
Local residents call this pond in different ways: Kratov Forest Lake, MMP, Forest Lake, Mymra. In fact, this reservoir is a pond formed on the Khripani River. It is called a lake because of its large size (length - 800 m, width - 100 m). In the center of it are barely visible two islands that arose in the process of creating a dam.
Shores today are well-maintained recreation areas with beaches, sports and children's playgrounds, and a boat station. A gravel path with lighting was made along the perimeter of the entire reservoir.
The water in Kratovsky Forest Lake is crystal clear, you can swim. Every year before the start of the season, water samples are taken from it for verification.
Marble Bridge
The dam on the river is decorated with this beautiful bridge, which was built in 1912-1914 according to the project of architect A. I. Tamanyan, who participated in the creation of the "Garden City". The bridge was originally made of reinforced concrete, but over time it began to wear out. In 1999, after it was disassembled, a new marble bridge was built, repeating the original in its form.
Today, this object is a symbol of the village of Kratovo, and its image is on the coat of arms of this settlement.
A bit of local history
Kratovo is a holiday village founded in 1898. In those days, deaf mixed forests grew here. They belonged to the family of Prozorovsky-Golitsyn, and therefore this area was called Prozorovka.
The lands were bought out by the Moscow-Kazan Railway Company. e. for the construction of summer houses of its employees. Then a project was planned for laying a rest corner with the beautiful name "Garden City" at this place. Famous at that time architects worked on it. For a rather short period of time, suburban houses, a hospital were erected here and the construction of the church was begun. Throughout the forest clears were made; a platform called Kratovo was opened in 1899. During the construction of the railway, Kratovskoe Forest Lake was also formed.
The First World War and the events of the October Revolution of the 17th year, unfortunately, prevented the completion of the design decision of those architects, but today Kratovo remains one of the best suburban villages of the Moscow Region.
The children's railway was opened near the village in 1937. Pupils, not only local, but also from other cities near Moscow and the capital itself, have the opportunity to get acquainted with professions related to transport.
A brief history of the lake
Sand was extracted from the local Khripanka river for the formation of the embankment on the railway, due to which a huge capacity for the future pond was formed. Further, its channel was blocked by a dam, and a large territory was filled with water.
Many locals took part in the construction of this pond, but mostly they were railway workers. Equipment at that time was not working with shovels and wheelbarrows. The depth of the pit in some places reached 3 meters.
Sports town and fishing
The shores of Kratov Forest Lake attract lovers of outdoor activities. Here in 2014 a beautiful sports town was created. There is on its territory for the smallest playground with slides, labyrinths and ladders. Indoor soccer, volleyball and badminton can be played by adults. In 2016, a large rope park called the Sky Trail was opened for extreme people on the shores of the lake. You can also use the services of rope sports instructors, as well as for the most daring people there are exciting rides: crossing the lake at a 17-meter height along a stretched cable; jumping (jumping from trees in climbing equipment). There are many interesting things for children.
For fishing lovers there is also a pleasant experience. There are many pikes in the lake. There is roach, carp, ruff, crucian carp, perch, tench, bleak (of decent size), less commonly bream.
Near the lake in the Khripan River there are larvae of meadow butterflies (caddis flies), which are a good bait for fish. Inveterate fishermen love the Kratov Forest Lake.
How to get there?
How to get to the lake by car? If you go from the capital along the Moscow Ring Road, you should turn off from it onto the Novoryazanskoye highway and go to the left turn onto Zhukovsky. Then you should get to the turn onto the A102 highway, and another 18 km to the end point. In total, the road from MKAD in the absence of traffic jams takes about half an hour.
From villages to the location of the reservoir how to get there? Kratovskoe Forest Lake is located 26 kilometers from the Kuznechnoye railway station and two kilometers from the Zavetnoye village, from where the necessary country road leads.
Finally
Great for relaxing with the whole family Kratovskoe forest lake. Reviews about him are the most wonderful in both adults and children.
Picturesque surroundings, beautifully equipped beaches, clear water of the lake, magnificent sites for entertainment, fishing and much more - all this can be found in a beautiful corner of nature. What else is missing for an unforgettable vacation surrounded by the beautiful nature of an ecologically clean area?