Mari El, the Sea Eye. Map of Mari El. Sanatoriums of Mary El

The republic of Mari El has long been famous for its crystal clear and beautiful lakes. The Sea Eye (one of the many lakes of the republic) is rightfully considered its pearl.

Mari El Republic

The republic was founded in 1920. It is located in the eastern part of European Russia. As its neighbors has the Republic of Tatarstan, Chuvashia, Kirov and Nizhny Novgorod region. The capital is the city of Yoshkar-Ola.

Mari El has always attracted tourists with the beauty of its landscape. There are more than 200 lakes on the territory of the republic. All of them are different in size - from smallest to large and majestic. The origin of the lakes is also different. Some of them are shrouded in a fleur of mysterious legends and ancient legends. Each of the lakes has some useful properties. One of the most attractive for tourists is the Sea Eye.

Location of the lake

The lake is located in a coniferous forest near the city of Volzhsk (Mari El). Tourists are best to stay in the village of Shariboxad. From here you can walk to the lake (about 200 meters). On the territory of the lake there is a guest house, a sauna and a cafe.

Description of the lake

The Sea Eye is a relatively small lake. Its area is 2000 square meters (40 by 50 meters). In the deepest place, the water column reaches 50 meters. Eats the Sea Eye by underground sources and atmospheric precipitation. The lake has an unusual color of water: it has a greenish tinge. In general, the transparency of water is high. The bottom can be seen down to a depth of 6 meters. A stream flows from the lake. The water quality in it, as well as in the lake, is very high. Therefore, local residents use it both for household and food purposes. The water temperature is low, but you can swim. Many tourists note that, having plunged into the lake, you do not feel cold, but on the contrary, the body quickly warms up. The Republic of Mary El in this respect pleases the tourists: there is where to swim.

As for the lake bottom, it is covered with tree trunks (mostly fir and fir), which slid down from the slopes of the mountains. The water at the bottom is opaque. Scuba divers found a cave under the water on a mountainside near the lake. On this mountain many streams flow into the lake, which wriggle with freakish ribbons and pour into the sun, creating a delightful sight.

The Sea Eye is located in a cool place, in the shadow of thick fir trees and firs. Because of the rather low temperatures and the small amount of sunlight, the shore of the lake is not full of various plants. Here you can find lichens, mosses, mushrooms, arrowhead and the like shade-loving plants. There are many inhabitants in the water: first of all plankton and fish (perch, crucian carp, roach, pike, tench).

The meaning of the name

Like many other lakes of Mary El, the Sea Eye has a name in the local language - Mushil, which means "hollow," "failure."

Why is it called the Sea Eye in Russian? If you look at the lake from the Sharin mountain, it really looks like a giant green eye with fluffy eyelashes, the role of which is performed by pine, spruce and fir.

Origin of the lake

According to scientists, it was formed on the site of a karst fault. The failure of this relatively young - 20 thousand years (the time of the Ice Age). Next to this failure is a high ledge (its height reaches 90 meters). Just at its foot the Sea Eye Lake is the deepest.

Legends about the lake

As noted above, a lot of legends have been written about the lakes of the republics of the Republic of Mari El. Sea Eye is no exception.

The first legend says that once there was a hill, and there was a village on it. In that village lived a boyfriend and a girl who passionately fell in love with each other. But on the eve of their wedding the witch doctor told them that they are a brother and sister. Burned young, but the love was stronger. They played a wedding. The spirits were angry with the people of the village and flooded it. There was a thunder, the rain poured in, and all the houses went under the water. So Lake Mushyl was formed (as local residents nest him).

According to the second legend, once there was a wedding carriage passing by. The groom from the neighboring district took as his wife a local girl. Funny people did not notice how the earth failed on their way. Together they went downstairs. And now in the evenings you can hear quiet wedding songs that are heard right out of the water column.

The third legend tells that once the locals (peasants) found in the lake the remains of an ancient sea ship. Ostensibly here and there was a sea in time immemorial. Therefore, at the bottom of the lake, the water is salty, marine.

The fourth legend is also connected with the wedding ceremony. They say that in the very place of the lake there used to be a mighty and dense coniferous forest. There was a spring in the forest with pure spring water. And often the travelers on the forest road stopped here to drink water, to rest. And the thick branches of the forest served as a good shelter for the bandits. And then one day a carriage with the bride and her dowry rode along this road, and the sorcerer, known in those parts, accompanied the cortege. But his robbers did not fear, they killed the bride and took the treasure. Cursed then is their sorcerer. And the earth fell in this place and filled with water. And the sorcerer has remained to protect the local places. They say that at night you can see its silhouette in the place where streams run down from the ledge into the lake.

How to get to the lake?

By car, take the Yoshkar-Ola-Kazan highway. After reaching the village of Pomar, turn to the village of Sotnur. Already here will be placed pointers to the Sea of Mare Lake. Then continue to the village of Shariboxad.

What else can you see in the Republic of Mari El?

In order to have a good rest in this republic and see many interesting places, you will need three things: a car, a map of Mari El and a good mood. There really is something to see. All regions of the Republic of Mari El are interesting in their own way. In total, there are 14 of them. There are traffic along the highway Yoshkar-Ola - Kazan towards Lake Morskoy Glaz, then you cross the urban district of Yoshkar-Ola, Zvenigovsky district and directly Volzhsky.

Lake Yalchik and the park "Mariy Chodra"

At a distance of 75 kilometers from the capital of the republic in the national park "Mari Chodra" is located the largest of its lake. The beach is well equipped with all the things needed for recreation: tent places, tables, benches, campfires. Yalchik is a favorite holiday destination for residents of the republics of Mari El and Tatarstan. Here you can find a place in boarding houses and sanatoriums (sanatorium "Klenovaya Gora", health-improving complex "Yalchik").

In general, the sanatoriums of Mari El are famous for their medical procedures. In addition, the local air itself is healing. The lake is surrounded by coniferous trees, thanks to which the air is especially clean.

In the park "Mari Chodra" tourists can admire the old oak, named after Emelian Pugachev. Its height is 26 meters, and its diameter is 160 centimeters. Embrace it can only 5-6 people, holding hands. The approximate age of the plant is 500 years. According to legends, it was near this oak that Emelian Pugachev stayed with his army the night before the last attack on Kazan, and from his summit he looked at the flaming villages of Kazan.

Another interesting place in the park is the Semiozerka valley. This is the place where there are seven karst lakes connected by isthmus. In the center of the valley is a hill, from which 4 lakes diverge at once. In Semiozersk there are several parking lots for rest.

The village of New Paraty

In the area of Pomar village, make a left turn and follow the signs for New Paraty. Here are very picturesque spaces. There is also a fairly old church of St. Demetrius of Thessaloniki, built in 1861. The stone building looks fascinating. From the hill in the village of Novye Paraty the open spaces of the Volga region are clearly visible.

Azjal Temple

The next settlement on the way is Karay. Already at the entrance to the village you can see the dome of the Azjal temple. There is a beautiful river Pežanka. Having crossed it across the bridge, we get to the village of Azayal. The Azjaly church of St. Guria is known for its healing springs: the source of the Smolensk Mother of God and Seraphim of Sarov. Bad women, having bathed in this water and having risen independently on a fake mountain leading to a temple, soon gave birth to children. Many pilgrims from all over the country come here, so the road is pretty crowded with cars and pedestrians.

Having descended from the church of Saint Guria through the villages of Petyaly and Yaromor, we get to Sotnur. And from here it is already within easy reach to one of the most beautiful lakes of the Republic of Mari El (Sea Eye).

Hotels near Lake of the Sea Eye

For those who prefer organized rest, locals offer a number of good hotels. This is the country club "Usadba", the hotel "Ak Bars" and the recreation center "Glubokoe Lake".