Peipsi Lake

• Address: Estonia, Tartumaa, Jõgevamaa, Ida-Virumaa;
• Height above sea level: 30 m;
• Area: 2613 km ²;
• The greatest depth: 12,9 m;
• The outflowing rivers: Zhelcha, Emajõgi;
• Flowing river: Narva.

In Estonia there is one amazing place that attracts tourists who are tired of busy excursions and monumental sights . This Prichudye is a quiet picturesque region, which includes 4 Estonian counties (Jõgeva, Ida-Virumaa, Tartumaa, Põlvamaa), which adjoin one of the most famous lakes in the world. This place is really wonderful. The soul and lovers of fishing, connoisseurs of oblivious nature, and admirers of ancient Estonian culture will take it here. And the photos taken on Lake Peipsi will take a worthy place in your album of memories of travel.

Where is Lake Peipsi?

On the map, find this pond is quite simple. After all, in size, it ranks fifth in Europe. Lake Peipsi is located on the border area between two states: the Republic of Estonia and Russia. It is a part of the lake complex, which consists of three lakes: Chudskoye (73%), Pskov (20%), Middle / Warm (7%).

Lake Chudskoe belongs to the Baltic basin of the Atlantic Ocean.

Lake Peipsi - history

About 300-400 years ago, in the Paleozoic era, the entire territory of the Chudsko-Pskov Lake basin was occupied by a huge glacier. At the same time, a thick 200-meter layer of sedimentary rocks (sandstone, clay, limestone) was formed, which now covers the crystalline basement from gneisses, granites and diabases.

The origin of Lake Peipsi is due to the gradual retreat of the glacier. Previously, the level of all water bodies formed from glacial waters was higher by 7-9 cm. Over time, it gradually decreased, and the area of ​​the basins decreased.

Every schoolboy knows about Chudskoye Lake from the course of history. It was on it that one of the most significant battles between Russian soldiers and Livonian knights took place - the Battle of the Ice. The exact location of the epicenter of the battle could be determined only in the middle of the 20th century. The fighting on ice was about 400 meters from Cape Sigovets.

Lake Peipsi in figures and facts

• the total area of ​​the basin is 2,613 km;
• the average depth is 7.5 m;
• the deepest point is 16.6 m;
• From the lake, there is only one river, Narva, and more than 30 rivers flow into it;
• in the lake waters there are 37 species of fish;
• There are 9 species of amphibians;
• the eastern shore of Peipsi Lake - the territory of Russia, the western and northern - of Estonia;
• There are 22 islands, the largest and only inhabited - Gadachek (belongs to Estonia);
• the shallow water line at the shore is 200-300 meters;
• the relief of the bottom is uniform - gray ooze and sand;
• in summer the water warms up to 25-26 ° C;
• Lake Peipsi in Estonia has low, locally waterlogged shores, on the Russian side the shoreline is more elevated;
• shipping is represented mainly by tourist ferries, because of shallow water the trade and commercial direction is poorly developed.

Lake Peipus: what to see?

If you are planning to come to Lake Peipus to see some local attractions, head towards Mustvee town (in the east, in Jõgevamaa county). It is this part of the coast that is of value to the adherents of cognitive tourism.

Moving along the coast towards the city of Tartu, you can visit at once 4 Old Believers:

• Raya - the nearest village to Mustvea, there is an Old Believer church, which was built with the money of the famous icon painter Frolov in Prichudye;
• Nikita - the former Nikitovka, named in honor of Ivan Nikitin, in this village there is also a temple built in 1949 on the site of the destroyed 18th century prayer church;
• Tiheda - there are two interesting exhibitions in the village: "Samovars and Old Believers" and "Chudskoye Lake Life Room", where the representatives of the flora and fauna of this reservoir are described in detail (mini museums are open from Tuesday to Saturday, from 11:00 to 16:30, Adult admission ticket price - € 1, child / pension - € 0.5);
• Kazel - an extreme village with old houses and large cottages of wealthy Old Believers.

The villages smoothly pass into each other at a distance of 7 km, they are even called a village street.

If you are traveling by car, Mustvea is an ideal place to relax near Lake Peipsi. You will be able to enjoy the magic nature and authenticity of the local villages, and if you want to diversify leisure, just an hour's drive there are large cities with a more modern aureole - Tartu and Rakvere. Even on the way there you can drop into a lot of interesting places:

• Adventure Park Woodyl (Kayavere);
• Elistvere Forest Zoo ;
• Museum of the Ice Age (Yaksi);
• fishing village of Kallaste (here you will make picturesque photos on the shore of Peipsi Lake, since the coast is decorated with the outcrop of Devonian sandstones, there are many wave-surfacing niches and small caves);
• orthodox church in the village of Nina;
• Alatskivi Castle ;
• Museum of Old Believers in Kolkia;
• Pyukhtitsky monastery (Kurymea).

In the town of Mustvee on the shore of Lake Peipsi there are also many attractions:

• the one-church church of 1877;
• Museum of Local Lore with expositions devoted to the life of the community of Old Believers;
• a large granite stone found in the river at the beginning of the 20th century, with an engraved inscription in German (during the Middle Ages the stone denoted the border of the Tartu bishopric);
• the church of St. Nicholas ;
• Lutheran Church ;
• the largest Old Believer Estonian temple ;
• sculpture "The Mourning Girl" .

In Mustvee there are several accommodation options, from hotels with all amenities ( Ankur Hotell ) to inexpensive hostels right by the lake ( Ironi Hostel , Kalameeste maja ).

Rest on Lake Peipsi

Tourists and locals go on holiday to Lake Peipsi in winter and summer. At any time of the year, in the fresh air surrounded by beautiful nature, one can find here what to do:

• to swim on boats and catamarans;
• perform walking and biking;
• horse riding;
• organize picnics and raids with tents;
• ride a snowmobile;
• play beach games.

And, of course, the most popular entertainment on Lake Peipsi is fishing. In many coastal towns, you can rent fishing boats and all necessary gear. In winter, it turns out to be a service for exporting ATV amphibians to the ice.

The most popular beaches among the tourists on Lake Peipsi are in Kauksi , Remniku , Kallaste , Mustvee .

How to get there?

It is most convenient to reach the coast of Peipsi Lake by car. To the northern part of the lake it is necessary to move along the route No. 3, from the western side of the lake it goes to the highway No. 43.

The resorts (Kuaxi, Mustvee) can also be reached by regular buses that often run between Tartu, Jõhvi and other major cities.