Since ancient times, this lake has been shrouded in myths. Legend has it that the city of Kitez once stood here, but it sank beneath the water to escape destruction by the Mongol-Tatars. In pagan times, people worshipped Yarila, the sun god. That’s where the lake gets its name — Svetly Yar, or “Bright Sun.” On its shore one can see the wooden Church of the Kazan Mother of God and the Kibelok spring, which is said to have holy water.

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