Lake Nero (Rostov Lake)

Lake Nero is one of the oldest freshwater lakes in Russia, located in the southwestern part of the Yaroslavl region. It was on its shores in 862 that Rostov Veliky, the pearl of Russia’s Golden Ring, grew up, whose white-stone Kremlin is included in the list of the country’s greatest cultural heritage.

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Today, the amazing body of water that remembers not only Slavic Russia, but also the events that took place on this territory long before our ancestors appeared, is under the threat of extinction. Slowly but surely the beautiful blue surface of Lake Nero is being displaced by overgrown algae and bottom accumulations of silt. However, even despite the unfavorable ecological situation, Nero still pleases its guests with fabulous catches, delighting visitors to the Rostov Kremlin with picturesque sunsets and deceptively endless expanse of water space.

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Video: Lake Nero

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History of origin and general characteristics

It is believed that Lake Nero appeared in the pre-glacial period, so even according to the most approximate calculations this miracle of nature is not less than 500 thousand years old. With its impressive size (length – 13 km, width – 8 km) and total area of 51.7 km² Nero can not be called a deep body of water. Only in some parts of the lake the depth reaches 3.5 meters. Otherwise, the average depth of Lake Nero does not exceed 1-2 m.

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‘ Worshipful Cross at Lake Nero

Ecological situation: turning a great lake into a great swamp

‘ Lake Nero
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Lake Nero sights

All tourists coming to Lake Nero fall into two categories: fishermen and lovers of Russian history. And if for the former the success of the trip depends solely on Lady Luck, the latter will get the desired impressions regardless of the degree of luck and weather factors.

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‘ Sarskoye Gorodishche
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Entertainment

Nero is not a Turkish or even Krasnodar resort, so you should not hope for even the most unpretentious entertainment here. But since the lake and to this day are still snooping pleasure boats and catamarans, for a certain amount of money you will gladly take a ride on its expanses. But for fishermen here, if not paradise, then something very similar to it. The main prey of local anglers is bream, pike and perch. However, do not forget that fishing with nets on Lake Nero is prohibited, in connection with which the reservoir is regularly patrolled by water protection services.

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For those who forgot at home gear, as well as travelers interested in fish solely from a gastronomic point of view, there is a Rostov market. For a relatively small fee from local traders you can “teach” not only fresh, but also salted, and even smoked gifts of Lake Nero.

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Legends and myths of Lake Nero: monastery treasures and a drowned city

The lake, the age of which is hundreds of thousands of years, simply can not help but be covered with legends and all sorts of myths. So, for example, it is believed that a few centuries ago the boundaries of Nero were much narrower. Then, for reasons unknown to science, the lake came out of the banks, flooding the original Rostov settlement. As confirmation of the supporters of this version cite the fact that sometimes at the bottom of the reservoir can be found roots and remains of tree trunks.

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Another legend is connected with the untold treasures of the Spaso-Yakovlev Monastery. According to the myth, once local monks drowned at the bottom of the Nero several poods of gold pieces, thus saving them from the raids of the Mongol-Tatars. By the way, no one has ever found the monastery’s riches, so, going on a trip to the shores of the ancient reservoir, you can take with you something from improvised means and dig in the sapropel. Suddenly the ancient treasure was waiting just for you? And of course, don’t forget about safety measures: tales about an evil waterman waiting for his seasonal victims at the bottom of Nero are still in use here.

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‘ Lake Nero at sunset

How to get there

If you have reached the Rostov Kremlin, the only thing you need to do to see Lake Nero is to climb the city rampart. Having appreciated all the unremarkability of the view from here, you can start descending along the winding path to the reservoir itself.

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Those who are going to catch the biggest pike in Lake Nero, prefer to get to the reservoir on the road coming from the Spaso-Yakovlevsky Monastery. In this case, it is better to leave the car in the parking lot next to the monastery.

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