Lake Pleshcheyevo

Lake Pleshcheyevo (Плещеево озеро) is one of the largest lakes in central Russia, in Yaroslavl Oblast, by the town of Pereslavl-Zalessky, 140 km from Moscow. Its surface area is 51.8 square kilometres, its length about 9.5 km and its maximum width 6.5 km. The round lake basin formed roughly 30,000 years ago, after a continental glacier retreated.

Nature

The shores are flat and low, in places marshy. The maximum depth reaches 25 metres, the average about 11 metres. Nineteen rivers and streams flow into the lake, the largest being the Trubezh, while the Vyoksa river flows out of it. The lake is home to the vendace (ryapushka), a small whitefish long known as the "tsar's fish": tradition holds it was served at the table of Russian rulers. Since 1988 the lake and its surroundings have been part of the Pleshcheyevo Lake National Park.

History

The lake is first mentioned in the Primary Chronicle (Povest vremennykh let) under the name Kleshchino, after the ancient town that once stood on its shore. In the late 17th century, by order of the young Peter I, a training "toy" flotilla was built on the lake: here the future emperor learned shipbuilding and seamanship, a start from which the history of the Russian navy is traditionally traced. Today a museum, the "Botik of Peter the Great" (Botik Petra I), stands on the shore and houses one of the surviving vessels of that flotilla.

A folk legend is tied to the lake's name: the water is said to "splash out" (plescha, hence Pleshcheyevo) anything thrown into it, refusing to keep what is not its own.

What to see

On the northeastern shore of the lake lies the Blue Stone (Siny Kamen), a boulder surrounded by many legends and one of the area's best-known sights. Ecological trails of the national park run along the shore, with viewpoints over the lake and its surroundings.

Getting there

The lake lies 140 km from Moscow, by the town of Pereslavl-Zalessky. Leaving the town, turn toward the "Priozyorny" sign and drive about 5 km along the shore.

Good to know

The open water and steady wind off the lake make it popular for windsurfing and kitesurfing. People also come here to fish or simply relax on the shore.