Kezenoy-Am lake, Chechen Republic: description, history and interesting facts

The pearl of Chechnya is the name of the amazing high-mountain lake Kezenoy-Am. Its appearance is striking: the reservoir is distinguished by the turquoise color of the water, changing the shade depending on the weather conditions, the time of the year and the day. Unlike another incredible high-mountain lake Ritsa, located in Abkhazia, Kezenoy-Am is a piece of untouched nature.

Deep Trout: a description of the lake

Chechen Lake Kezenoy-Am is considered one of the most beautiful. In addition, this is the largest high-mountain lake in Europe: its length from north to south is about two kilometers, and from west to east - 2.7! The area of the amazing pond reaches two square kilometers. It is often called Glubokim - in some places the depth is 72 meters. It is because of its size that it is known as the Andean Sea. By the way, some scuba divers say that the depth of the lake is actually much larger. For example, a Finnish scuba diver immersed in 103 meters in 1989. There are pictures of professional divers, made at a depth of about 90 meters.

Kezenoy-Am is surprised not only by its beauty, but also by the coolness: even in summer the water temperature rarely rises above 18 degrees. But in winter frost the reservoir freezes to 80 centimeters. The thing is that many mountain rivers flow into this lake, the largest of them are the Kauhe and Horsum, the water in which is ice.

1870 meters above sea level

From the top of the Kharami Pass, a spectacular view opens up to Lake Kezenoy-Am, located in the Chechen Republic of Russia: at the end of a wide valley lies a heavenly color bowl. By the way, this reservoir is almost a thousand meters higher than the mountain lake Ritsa, it exceeds it in size. Kezenoy-Am is surrounded by mountains and rocks, overgrown with picturesque forests.

History of the lake

Geologists say that the lake was formed about 650 years ago. The cause was an earthquake that caused a large landslide. The rocks blocked the channel of two small rivers, Kharsuma and Kauchi. They filled the cup: Harsum - from the north side, and Kauha - from the east. Both rivers flow into the lake under the ground. The otter pit is distinguished by steep slopes and a perfectly flat bottom. In addition, on the south side, due to the collapse, a one hundred meter natural dam was formed.

The lake does not have a runoff on the surface, but the researchers assume that there are underground drains. Most likely, the water flows through limestone rocks surrounding the Kezenoy-Am.

Punishment for inhospitality or unhappy love?

With the advent of Lake Kezenoy-Am in Chechnya, a lot of interesting legends are associated . One of them is told by Vainakhs. According to the legend, in this place there used to be an aul called Kezenoy. Local residents violated the traditions of the mountains, the main of which is hospitality. Once an angel descended from the heavens in the village. Accepting the appearance of a beggar, he walked almost all the houses - both rich people and poor people. All refused him in a lodging for the night, no one gave food to the ragwort. At the very end of the village stood a small widow's lodge. Angel asked to let him into the house. The widow not only invited the wanderer to stay overnight, but also fed him. As a reward for kindness, the guest confessed that he was not a beggar at all, but a messenger of God. The angel told the woman that he was dissatisfied with the greed and callousness of the people living here, and therefore the widow with the children should leave the village.

As soon as the woman fulfilled the request, the earth opened up, the aul was simply absorbed! And in its place was formed a lake, whose name can be translated as Cruel.

There is another version as to the origin of Lake Kezenoy-Am. History-legend says: the reservoir consists of the tears of a beautiful girl, mourning the parting with her beloved.

There is also a cosmic explanation for the appearance of Kezenoy-Am. Researchers say that, probably, a meteorite fell on this place. The basis for this hypothesis is the slice of the left slope of the lake: it is as if cut off by a giant knife. Confirm this version and the burned boulders that occur around the reservoir.

Ethnographic and archaeological expeditions

It is known that earlier in these places lived the Chechen Taipa. This is indicated by the results of ethnographic expeditions and archaeological excavations. Near the lake were found Vainakh towers (both residential and fighting), a lot of crypts and burial grounds, sanctuaries. It was also home to one of the earliest Chechen mosques. Around the Lake Kezenoy-Am, ancient auls were found.

By the way, a little higher than the reservoir is the village of Hoi An ("dead city"). Today this place is uninhabited, there are preserved petroglyphs of different epochs. And once here life was boiling - to our times there were ruins of military constructions, dwellings, winding streets.

Now the abandoned settlement began to be restored, because descendants of the descendants from the village wish to return here. The mosque has already been built, and the construction of houses began.

Military history

Besides beautiful legends, other stories are connected with the lake. For example, the military. At different times, the territory surrounding the reservoir was controlled by various groups of abreks and militants. With the name Kezenoy-Am are inextricably linked names Basayev, Zelimkhan, Khattab ...

When the first military campaign began - in 1994 - an abandoned boarding house on the shore of this unique lake became the center for the preparation of sabotage operations against Russian troops.

By the way, evil tongues rumored that in the 2000s Ramzan Kadyrov, who needed to get to Lake Kezenoy-Am, traveled dangerous sections of the road leading to it, through the republic of Dagestan.

Fauna and flora

The long history of the lake is confirmed by the fish that is found in it. For example, Eisenam trout, whose age exceeds two thousand years. This species is listed in the Red Book, because it does not occur in any water body of the world! They say that with the help of such trout old people can restore lost vision, cure migraines and joints and get rid of many other ailments. It is said that a trout weighing 8 kg can be caught in Lake Kezenoy-Am!

The purity of air is indicated by the presence in these places of a white butterfly Apollo. This delightful creature is the brightest representative of this family of sailboats. This butterfly lives in the mountains and in the valleys, located at an altitude of about two kilometers above sea level. And only where there are limestone soils.

The lake is surrounded by subalpine meadows, the slopes cover the thickets of xerophytes. Biologists count here more than 20 species of endangered and rare plants.

Lake Kezenoy-Am: recreation, sports and tourism

Even in the Soviet Union, on the lake, near the border with Dagestan, was the Olympic base of the team for rowing. This place for future champions was not chosen by chance: there are practically no waves on the lake. When armed conflicts began on the territory of the republic, the base was completely destroyed. In 2015, the Rowing Federation announced its intention to resume the team's training on the lake. At the same time, the same-named tourist-recreational cluster was opened on Lake Kezenoy-Am. The project of a sports complex has been developed: a hotel and cottages, a boat station, a pier, a cable car, entertainment complexes.

In winter, figure skaters come to the pond: skating on flat, solid ice is a pleasure. In summer, the lake is a real paradise for fishermen. Trout and carp weighing several kilograms pleases lovers of fishing. In addition, divers and alpinists like to relax here. They conquer the depths of the lake and the mountain peaks that surround it. Local air helps cure asthma and get rid of allergic reactions. And the presence of a large number of cultural monuments and history and magnificent scenery attract tourists. Those wishing to see with their own eyes all this beauty from year to year come more and more, guests come from different parts of the world.

Of course, the question arises: "How do I get to Lake Kezenoy-Am?" The road to this place is difficult to call comfortable - the asphalt section ends with settlements. Then you need to go on a dirt road. To date, there is virtually no tourist infrastructure.