LAKE SELIGER

It’s one of the most beautiful places in our country.

It’s called the pearl of Russian nature. It is the land of clean lakes, shady

rivers and forests.

Lake Seliger was formed about 20 thousand years ago. On its banks the Slavic tribes were settling. The information about Lake Seliger is met in the Russian chronicles of the 12 -13th century.

Lake Il’men’ and Lake Seliger are the biggest lakes on the Valday highland. There are more than 150 islands (i.e. humps) on the

Seliger and no one on the Il’men’.

The legend tells that Seliger and Il’men’ were brothers who loved

Volga. She chose Seliger. Envy captured Il’men’ and he cursed

Seliger. And 100 humps grew on Seliger’s back.

On the first view Seliger is an usual lake. But everyone is impressed when blue sky is reflected in the mirror waters.

Sights of the Seliger

On the Valday highland a great Russian river Volga begins. A small brook flows out of the

bog in the thick forest. Then it flows in Lake Sterzh and

becomes a strong stream.

In the 16th century the monk appeared on the banks of the Volga, than he

became a Russian Saint Nil Stolobenskiy Chudotvorets. He settled on the island Stolobnoe where Nil’s hermitage was

formed later. It had been the holy centre of Russia for some centuries.

Shirkov Pogost is situated on the bank of the river. These churches were built

in the 17th century. They are 45 meters high, they are made of wood.

The town Ostashkov looks like a boot. It hasn’t got a heel because “fish have eaten it”.

So there are a lot of fish in the Seliger. According the legend all population of the town died in the fire many years ago. Only

one man Evstafiy became alive, he fished that time. He built a new house and than a new

town grew around it.

Tourists also can see the church Nikolo-Rozhok. It

had already been there in the 14th century.

Near the Tolstoy’s estate is situated .There was a

theatre, a church, a house, a linen factory in the Tolstoy’s El’tsy . Some

buildings have kept safe.

Most houses are wooden, some of them

are quite new, others are very old.

Inspite of all sights Lake Seliger is worth seeing because it has unique beautiful landscapes.

Every year thousands talented young people from different parts of Russia meet there. They introduce to famous people, get knowledge and skills, they are helped to develop their projects. Besides they enjoy and rest.