Unusual lakes in Belarus

Belarus has been nicknamed the Blue-eyed country due to the thousands of picturesque bodies of water that adorn its majestic forests and endless fields. The lakes are beautiful not only in summer — during the off-season, one can organise a family picnic or a romantic date by the shore, and enjoy ice skating in winter.

Blue Lakes national landscape reserve located on the territory of the Narochansky National Park in Myadel and Postavy districts      belta

The Naroch is the largest lake in Belarus. It has the shape of a heart; not a metaphorical one, but a real one, like that of a person. However, you can only confirm this by looking at it from an airplane window. On its shores, tourists can experience the warm hospitality of local residents. Naroch is the only resort village in the country. Every year, around one hundred thousand people come there to relax. The pine forests hide famous sanatoriums — there are 12 of them! — tourist bases, and campsites. Cosy restaurants and cafés offer mesmerising views of the water’s surface, the end of which is not in sight. Autumn visitors traditionally stop by the local dendrological garden on their way to Naroch. It stands to reason — everyone wants to take vibrant photos against the backdrop of colourful foliage and wonderful flowers.

Lake Naroch, Myadel District, Minsk Region                   Aleksandr Gorbash


Belarus’ Braslav Region is rightly considered the most lake-rich area of the country. There, each little village has its own body of water with the clearest, most transparent water, and in some places, there are several. Not all lakes have names — there are many without them. However, the most notable ones do receive names. Between the villages of Ratyuny, Mutorovshchina, and Shaury lies one of the most mysterious attractions in Braslav Region — Lake God’s Eye. Its impressively perfect circular shape has remained unchanged throughout the centuries. Locals believe that the God’s Eye watches over the lives of Belarusians from the heavens, reflecting on the surface of the earth. No one dares to swim there: the bottom is not visible, and the water is icy. Not far from the lake is a genuine Viking settlement. Once, the famous route from the Varangians to the Greeks passed through these lands.

The area of Lake Glubelka in the north-west of Belarus is less than a square kilometre. But how stunning it is! It looks as if someone has painted a heart in blue in the middle of a dense forest. Right in the centre is a small island that many say resembles an arrow. Along the shoreline, the red-listed saw grass grows. In a word, romantic symbolism literally hangs in the air. The Glubelka is part of the Blue Lakes national landscape reserve. A popular eco-trail runs through the territory, featuring wooden walkways, mysterious sculptures, and information boards. On the route, which is four, seven, or eleven kilometres long, you can see a dozen picturesque bodies of water. But be warned: you will have to work up a sweat as the eco-trail is rather hilly, with the highest point being 220 metres above sea level.
Lake Usaya

In many cities across Belarus, there are advertising billboards saying ‘I love Belarus!’, where instead of the word ‘love’, various natural phenomena and heart-shaped objects are used — from clouds to berries. The islet on Lake Usaya, located about thirty kilometres east of the town of Ushachi, could very well become the next advertising hit. This piece of land has an ideal heart shape from any angle — no need for Photoshop.

By the way

Artificial pond in the town of Zhlobin, Gomel Region

In the town of Zhlobin in Gomel Region, local authorities came up with a creative solution to get rid of a swamp in one of the courtyards by transforming it into a water feature in the shape of a heart. The artificial pond has become part of a park area, where many people often stroll, with a school and new multi-storey buildings nearby. Newlyweds from Zhlobin also favour this spot and come there for photo shoots. 

Lake Dolgoye, Lepel District, Vitebsk Region               Anton Stepanishchev

Lake Dolgoye is often compared to Lake Baikal due to its exceptionally clean water. However, its name does not fully capture its essence. This lake is, in fact, the deepest one in Belarus! In certain spots, it plunges down to 53.6 metres. Another record attributed to the Dolgoye by some experts is its age. During one of the underwater expeditions, a ledge was discovered that could have been a shore over 12,000 years ago.

By Sofia Arsenyeva