Message about the city of Kitezh. Lake Svetloyar and the city of Kitezh - legends, traditions, historical facts

Kitezh (Kitezh-grad, Kidish) is a mythical wonderful city, which, according to Russian legends, escaped from the troops of Batu during the Tatar-Mongol invasion in the 13th century due to the miraculous property of being invisible. When the troops approached, the city allegedly disappeared from the eyes of the astonished enemy and sank to the bottom of Lake Svetloyar. In subsequent centuries, the legend was transformed, the Old Believers described Kitezh already as a refuge for followers old faith.

In the XVIII-XIX centuries, Kitezh was presented as a city of the righteous, a city of social justice, where every honest Russian could go. The people endowed some other fantastic societies with similar properties, such as the kingdom of Prester John, the churches of "ancient piety" in the distant Oponsky (Japanese?) Sea, the islands of the blessed, the earthly paradise, Belovodie, the "City of Ignat", etc. In Russia at that time, stories were spread about people who gave dinner to go to Kitezh, and subsequently sent letters from there. Numerous eyewitnesses described the bell ringing, which they allegedly heard from under the water.

A lake in the Nizhny Novgorod Trans-Volga region, about 100 km east-north-east of the regional center and 1-1.5 km west of the village of Vladimirskoye, Voskresensky district, a natural monument of federal significance. The lake has the shape of an oval with dimensions of 500 x 350 m, it is distinguished by great depth , reaching 40 m. The view on the origin of the lake has changed since its study and has not yet been unambiguously resolved. For the first time, its volcanic origin was suggested at the beginning of the 20th century by the writer V. Korolenko. Various researchers at different times expressed hypotheses about the glacial, karst, oxbow, volcanic, neotectonic, salt dome and cosmic — meteorite origin of the lake. In 2009, the results of field studies were published, confirming the hypothesis of the meteorite origin of the lake.

Until now, there is a dispute in science about the reality of Kitezh and about the possible location of the "sunken" city. The most attractive version is that the legend tells of some place with supernatural properties. What kind of place is this (parallel world, astral, some kind of spatial hole) - it is useless to argue about this now, because. too much obscurity in the legend. However, attempts have been made and are being made to find a real sunken city. Most often, such searches were carried out in the area of ​​the Zhiguli bend of the Volga, where a mirage is sometimes observed over the Volga - a large ancient Russian city rising from under the water.

When the troops of Khan Batu reached the Vladimir-Suzdal principality, the Russians met them near Maly Kitezh (now it is Gorodets). Most of the squad perished in the battle, and Prince Georgy Vsevolodovich with the surviving soldiers took refuge in the forests and built the city of Kitezh Bolshoi on the shores of Lake Svetloyar. Batu found out where the prince had taken refuge and killed him. And the inhabitants gathered in the temple and turned to God with a prayer to prevent the invaders from approaching them. God heeded the prayer, streams of water gushed out of the ground, which, without harming the inhabitants, flooded the city up to the domes of churches. But they soon disappeared. And on the site of the city, a lake spilled. Since then, this place has been revered as a saint... Such is the legend that many people believe. And there is no doubt that a small Forest Lake Svetloyar in Nizhny Novgorod region and there is the very one in which Kitezh drowned. Orthodox people come here to pray. They say that a handful local land cures ailments. Water drawn from the lake stays in bottles for several years, without spoiling, like consecrated water. And if you go around the lake three times clockwise, then all cherished desires. And the version that Lake Svetloyar is related to the mysterious Shambala attracts thousands of pilgrims from all over the world. However, the only real hints of the existence of the legendary city can be found in the book "Kitezh Chronicler" (late 17th century).

Near-scientific mystics believe that there is also a passage to another time dimension on Svetloyar. And as proof, they cite stories told by residents of the nearby village of Vladimirskoye. They allegedly often meet strange peddlers in clothes that were still worn by their great-grandfathers, and for the purchased goods - mainly bread, bagels, gingerbread - they receive change from them in coppers and silver coins. “For us,” Volkov continues, “the main discovery was the confirmation of the hypothesis about the existence near Svetloyar of invisible plasma substances that have a logic of behavior, that is, they manifest themselves as living beings. Especially a lot of them appear around a group of people praying - as if they are studying. We captured them on video and photographic equipment. These plasma formations were once recorded in the laboratory by scientists from the Institute terrestrial magnetism, ionosphere and radio wave propagation (IZMIRAN). Their experiments testified that millions of plasma bunches are rushing through the air in the electromagnetic range. At the time, this led atheists to believe that other world still exists. The current study of Svetloyar has shown that this hypothesis is not without common sense.

But where did the city go? Is there some real natural event at the heart of the myth?

In fact, as soon as we start researching any legend, myth or similar work of oral folk art, we find traces of events that actually took place,” said Boris Rybakov, an outstanding Russian archaeologist and historian, at one of his speeches (died in 2001. — Ed.). — Geologists are well aware that the central regions of the European part of Russia lie on a foundation of very strong rocks. But it is dissected by deep faults that go in different directions, often intersecting with each other. And geologist Vladimir Nikitin found out that Lake Svetloyar lies just at the intersection of two deep faults. In such a place, even a large reservoir could be formed surprisingly quickly - even in front of Batu Khan.

The graves of the giants Kibilek - this is the name of a place about five kilometers from Lake Svetloyar. Here is a spring supposedly with “living” water (analyses show that it has zero acidity). And nearby - in the dense Kerzhinsky forest - there are three unmarked graves. They are ancient and unusual. First, who had the idea to bury someone away from settlements? Secondly, the graves are several times larger than traditional Christian burials. It is said that giants are buried there. Namely, the skeletons of the ancient Lemurians - the inhabitants of the mysterious country of Lemuria, which, according to legend, existed somewhere in this area hundreds of thousands of years ago. Modern science does not confirm, but does not try to refute such a version of the origin of strange burials. Nobody tried to dig them out. Yes, and it's wrong. Nizhny Novgorod esotericists come to the graves at night to bow to the "unknown". And many Orthodox, on the contrary, believe that the place here is unclean. Despite the origin. They take water and leave quickly.

The sinking of a city or an entire island under water is a fairly common motif in a number of European literatures. From the time of Ancient Greece we know the legends about the death of Atlantis or the city of Sybaris. In these eschatological legends, flooding appears as a divine retribution for a sinful life. In general, legends about a flood that destroys entire civilizations are widespread throughout the world, which is convincingly proved by D.D. Frazer in his work "Folklore in the Old Testament". There is a similar story about the disappearance of an entire city under water in the literature. Ancient Russia, and it has its own specific features and differs significantly from similar European stories.

The fundamental difference between the legend of Kitezh is that this city was “erased” from the face of the earth by God not for sins, but for its righteousness and devotion to the Christian faith. Despite the fact that Kitezh is called Russian Atlantis, the fate of this city is completely different - it did not die, but still exists, saved from the sorrows of earthly life and hidden from the eyes of the layman, mired in worldly bustle. According to legend, today only the righteous can find their way to this city, since their eyes are not clouded by earthly desires. In this regard, Kitezh is a symbol of Orthodox culture, since it set an example of selfless service to God, Christian courage, victory over the sinful nature of man. No wonder N. Berdyaev connects Kitezh with the true faith “The true Orthodox kingdom leads underground. The legend about the city of Kitezh, hidden under the lake, is connected with this. The people are looking for the city of Kitezh.

And yet, before going under water, this city looked like an ordinary old Russian city. As a rule, legends always have a real historical basis. The story of Kitezh-grad is no exception, since part of it consists of a description of quite reliable events, such as the protection of the earth from the invasion of the Mongol-Tatars. Researchers of the history of Kitezh did not deny the existence of the prototype of this city of the righteous, and also faced the manifestation of the sacred horror of local residents in front of Lake Svetloyar, from where, according to legend, in calm weather, the bell ringing of the city churches of Kitezh is heard. For example, the Russian writer Melnikov, who carefully studied the legend, wrote: “It seems that in Kitezh there was a brotherhood of heroes, like the Kyiv brotherhood of heroes at the court of Vladimir Krasno Solnyshko. Kitezh in folk tales- the capital city of the Suzdal land.

The legend of Kitezh is known to us from two written sources: “The Book, which is called the Chronicler” and “A Message to the Father from the Son from this Secret Monastery ...”, which were processed by Old Believer scribes in the second half of the 18th century, although they were created back in the 17th century . The historical background of the legend was the invasion of the Mongol Khan Batu and the struggle against him by Prince George II Vsevolodovich, who died in the battle on the river. City. The legend also ascribes to him the founding of the city of Kitezh: “The noble prince George himself went from that place by land, and not by water. And he crossed the Uzola River, and the second river, named Sandu, and the third river crossed, named Sanogtu, and the fourth crossed, named Kerzhenets, and came to the lake, named Svetloyar. And I saw that place, extraordinarily beautiful and crowded. And at the begging of its inhabitants, the noble prince Georgy Vsevolodovich ordered to build a city on the shore of the lake of that Svetloyar, named Big Kitezh, because the place was unusually beautiful, and on the other side of the lake there was an oak grove.

The legend tells of the battle between George and Batu at Bolshoi Kitezh, as a result of which the prince was killed and the city was captured. However, it was not possible to completely take over the city of Batu, because he suddenly went under water. This is explained by the unwillingness of the inhabitants of the city to submit to the Gentiles, their readiness to give their lives, but to keep their faith. Therefore, Kitezh goes under water, because the townspeople themselves ask for it, and God, who has seen a spiritual feat, mercifully fulfills their desire. Since then, Kitezh has become invisible: "And Great Kitezh will be invisible until the coming of Christ." Thus ends the history of the visible Kitezh and begins the history of the invisible.

Kitezh invisible

The second part of the "Book, the verb of the chronicler" already tells about the invisible, secret city, symbolizing spiritual purity and holiness. Kitezh seems to be an earthly paradise, the land of the righteous, where you can get only by fully concentrating on spiritual perfection. “And he who wants to go to such a holy place has no thought not to have a crafty and depraved one, confusing the mind and leading the thoughts of that person who wants to go to the side. Strongly beware of evil thoughts, seeking to excommunicate from that place. And don't think about this and that. The Lord will guide such a person on the path of salvation. Or a notice will come to him from that city or from the monastery of the one that is hidden both, the city and the monastery. But if he goes, and begins to doubt, and praises everywhere, then the Lord will close the city to such. And it will seem to him a forest or an empty place. And he will not receive anything, but only his labor will be in vain. And the temptation, and reproach, and reproach to him will be for this from God. Execution will take here and in the next century, condemnation and pitch darkness for desecrating such a holy place, over a miracle that appeared at the end of our century: the city became invisible, just as in former times there were many monasteries that became invisible .. .".

Here is the story mysterious city already acquires a dogmatic-religious character, his going under water is thought of as an act of leaving the world captured by the Antichrist (and not just the real conqueror Batu). Despite the legend of Kitezh-grad, pilgrims going to it never considered it a fantastic and purely abstract image, but were sure of its existence beyond this world, in another world, which people who are pure in heart and strong in faith can sometimes see. It cannot be said that Kitezh is literally located at the bottom of Lake Svetloyar or next to it.

The people believed that the entire area around the lake was just an illusion, but in fact the city of Kitezh stands here. Belief in the existence of a hidden city gave rise to many religious rites that were held at the supposed location of its location. Here is a description of one of them: “Pious people on their knees crawl around the lake three times, then they put the remains of candles on the chips into the water and crouch to the ground and listen. Tired, in languor between two worlds (visible and invisible), with fires in the sky and on the water, they surrender to the lulling swaying of the shores and the indistinct distant ringing ... ". Kitezh-grad, remaining invisible, had a very real impact on Russian culture, which was based on the value system of Christian morality with its inherent ideas of sacrifice, asceticism and catholicity.

1. P.I.Melnikov-Pechersky - “In the forests”.

2. M. Prishvin - "At the walls of the invisible city."

3. S. Durylin - "The Church of the Invisible City".

More with Asov:

Addendum to my friend's post

The legend about the concealment of the sacred city of Kitezh is the pearl of the Slavic epic. Based on the legend, many research books, poems, Rimsky-Korsakov's opera have been written ... What is hidden behind beautiful legend about the city that “left” into Lake Svetloyar without submitting to the Tatar-Mongol yoke? I read the post http://papyrus-net.livejournal.com/243128.html Very interesting! I wanted to add a Slavic legend.

Roots of the legend

The story of the city of Kitezh dates back to the time of the Tatar-Mongol invasion, that is, to XIII century. However, according to Alexander Asov, the origins of this legend should be sought in an even earlier period - the pre-Christian history of Russia. This is not so easy, because in the Orthodox religious tradition paganism is so closely intertwined with Christianity that it is quite difficult to distinguish which legends belong to one and which myths to another.

Lake Svetloyar, in which, according to legend, the sacred city of Kitezh hid, is located in the Volga region, and has long been known as the center of pagan faith. The very name of the lake comes from two ancient Russian words: “bright”, that is, pure, righteous, and “yar”, which is the root of the name of the pagan solar deity Yarila, who was worshiped by the ancient tribes of the Slavs. Many legends of the pre-Christian period are associated with Lake Svetloyar. They also mention the city of Kitezh. It is mentioned in the most ancient sacred source of the pagan faith - the "Star Book of Kolyada".

According to one of the legends, the magical half-horse-half-human Kitovras, who was a powerful wizard and builder of ancient temples, as well as the god of wisdom and hop Kvasura, were born in the area of ​​​​Lake Svetloyar. From their names came the name of the city of Kitezh.

In the area of ​​​​Lake Svetloyar lived the Slavic tribe of the Berendeys. Their descendants to this day have preserved the legend that from ancient times in Kitezh there was one of the largest religious centers the cult of Yarila. This place was considered sacred to the Russian princes.

With the baptism of Russia, Kitezh, like many other major centers of the pagan cult, was turned into the center of the Orthodox faith, and the princes continued to visit it, as if nothing had changed.

Many Orthodox churches were built on the site of temples, as it was believed that such places are special - they are sources of strong positive energy. The names of the ancient gods were gradually replaced by the names of saints, but the very place of worship of higher powers, which has a truly magical energy, remained the same. That is why the region of Lake Svetloyar has been shrouded in legends and mysticism since ancient times.

Grishka's betrayal

Now let's move to more recent times. According to Christian chronicles, the city of Great Kitezh on the shores of Lake Svetloyar was built by Prince Yuri Vsevolodovich, the son of Vsevolod the Big Nest. In addition to him, there was also Small Kitezh, who grew up under his grandfather, the famous Yuri Dolgoruky. Big Kitezh was conceived as a majestic city. There were many churches in it, and it was built entirely of white stone, which at that time was a sign of wealth and purity. However, the legends combined the two different cities, and so the mystical and mysterious Kitezh-grad appeared.

Aleksey Asov, guided by the legends and chronicles of that time, was able to recreate the true picture of the events of those distant times. In 1238, after the ruin of the Vladimir-Suzdal principality, Batu Khan set up camp on the City River. After another unequal battle, Prince Yuri Vsevolodovich with the remnants of his troops retreated to Small Kitezh. However, Batu took him by storm, and the prince with the remnants of the army miraculously managed to hide in Big Kitezh.

At that time, on Russian soil, Yuri Vsevolodovich remained practically the only organized force opposing the Tatar-Mongol invasion. Batu craved power over the world and was eager to move on as soon as possible - to mediterranean sea, but he was afraid to leave the proud and undefeated Russian prince in the rear. And then he ordered to torture all the captured Russians, so that they would give out reserved roads leading to Kitezh. The soldiers were silent, because they knew: to give holy city means dooming yourself and your family to eternal damnation. Only one could not stand the torture - Grishka Kuterma. He was afraid of torment and death and agreed to lead the enemies to the Russian shrine.

The path was not easy and lay among impenetrable swamps and forests. But the traitor knew the secret paths and was able to lead the Tatar-Mongolian army to the holy city.

Seeing the advancing enemy rati, the inhabitants of Bolshoy Kitezh and the soldiers of Yuri Vsevolodovich began to pray to God. Seeing the suffering of the Russians from the invaders, God took pity on the besieged. Before the eyes of Batu and his troops, the holy city plunged into Lake Svetloyar and did not fall for plunder, dishonor and death to the merciless enemy.

temple city

However, some facts in this legend are doubtful. The remnants of the army of Prince Yuri Vsevolodovich in reality did not pose a real military threat to Batu. And what could a prince do on a land where countless hordes of nomads swept twice with fire and sword? Then the question arises: why did Batu need to lead an army through the swamps to the city, which even in those days was considered semi-mythical? The fact is that Kitezh represented precisely the spiritual value. He did not stand on trade routes, did not play any significant military or political role in the life of Ancient Russia. But he was a great spiritual center! It is not in vain that in the chronicles telling about Kitezh, the most great place devoted to the description of the temples.
According to these chronicles, almost the entire city consisted of churches alone, being in fact one of the largest temple complexes of Orthodoxy.

Among historians, the most common version of Batu's campaign against Kitezh, which would seem illogical from the point of view of military strategy, is the following. After interrogating the captives, Batu concluded that this city was not so much a political as a spiritual center of the Slavs.

Therefore, the Mongol Khan decided to go to Kitezh and thereby finally destroy any hope of the Slavs for a revival. After all, many peoples believed that with the destruction of their shrines, the people themselves perish, for the shrines are the soul of the people. However, Kitezh did not go to the enemy.

Hidden in prayer

According to legend, Kitezh sank into the waters sacred lake Svetloyar. The sanctity of its waters was extended to the city itself and its inhabitants. Therefore, the image of a city inhabited by the righteous was born, which passed unharmed through the sacred waters and passed into better world. The legend says that the lake hid Kitezh until the end of time, and only before the end of the world it will rise again from the waters, and the army of Yuri Vsevolodovich will come out of the gates of the holy city to appear at the judgment of God with all Christian souls.

In Soviet times, of course, such a view of history could not be accepted, and a version was put forward that the legend of Kitezh reflects a natural cataclysm, as a result of which the soil quickly subsided and the city standing on the lake shore was submerged under water. Consequently, it was concluded that the remains of the legendary city can be found at great depths. An expedition was organized to Lake Svetloyar.

In the course of underwater research, archaeologists found out that its bottom consists of three layers of soil. The first layer - at a depth of 30 meters - is very ancient, the second - at a 20-meter mark - just belonged to the XIII century, and the third - deposits of later times. At a depth of 30 meters, archaeologists found objects that can be attributed to the period of the XIII century. However, these were just small things made of wood and metal. These finds just made it possible to put forward a hypothesis that the city, gradually plunging into the water, went into another layer of reality. And some things remained in our world due to strong ground vibrations or were simply washed away by water.

But where did Kitezh go? Only modern scientists can answer this question. There is an assumption that in certain time and under certain circumstances, different dimensions can touch. In this case, according to a number of researchers of the mystery of Kitezh, the displacement of the layers of reality occurred as a result of the collective prayer of the besieged. After all, this prayer was performed in an extreme situation and, moreover, at the same time by a large number of people. Let's not forget that in addition to the townspeople, there was also an army in the city. Plus - since ancient times a sacred place.

The time of prayer, probably, was also not chosen by chance. Scientists have more than once turned to the oldest astrological source of our ancestors - the "Star Book of Kolyada", a detailed commentary on which Alexander Asov cites. It turns out that all modern Orthodox holidays coincide with the ancient pagan ones. These are special days on which the heavenly bodies take such a position that parallel worlds touch, and we can see them. Thus, scientists concluded that Kitezh was simply transferred to another dimension.

Alien from the past

The expedition, which was engaged in the study of Lake Svetloyar and its environs, included not only archaeologists, but also philologists and ethnographers, that is, folklore collectors. It turned out that for many centuries the locals have been transmitting the legend of the concealment of Kitezh, supplemented by events that are already taking place in our time. So, local residents say that during the days of Orthodox holidays, a bell ringing is heard from Lake Svetloyar. A similar phenomenon was observed by scientists, but they could not explain it.

However, not everyone can get into the sacred city of Kitezh. Only a person who is absolutely pure in spirit can enter there. Even the monks from neighboring Orthodox monasteries, who regularly visit Svetloyar, hear only the ringing of bells, and only a few manage to see the outlines of the beautiful white stone churches of Kitezh in the waters of the lake. According to local residents, the lake has healing properties and can cure many ailments, and those who see the reflection of the golden domes of churches in it will be happy.

However, the inhabitants of the otherworldly Kitezh themselves often visit our world. Old-timers say that an old man with a long gray beard in ancient Slavic clothes used to come into an ordinary village shop. He asked to sell bread, and paid with old Russian coins from the time of the Tatar-Mongol yoke. And the coins looked like new. Often the elder asked the question: “How is it in Russia now? Isn't it time for Kitezh to rise up? However, local residents replied that it was still too early. They know better, because the place around the lake is special, and people here live in constant contact with a miracle. Even those who come from other areas feel an unusual halo.

The legend of Kitezh is the most famous legend about a city hidden from the enemy. However, there are many such stories. In a number of regions of Russia, myths still exist about how, under the threat of plunder, monasteries or entire cities went under water or hid in the mountains. It was believed that only the chosen ones could get there from our world. In the book The Brotherhood of the Grail, Richard Rudzitis cites a letter from a Russian monk who sends a message to his loved ones and asks not to consider him dead. He says that he simply went to a hidden monastery to the ancient elders.

However, scientists have not come to a final conclusion: one or more hidden cities or monasteries are discussed in the question of Kitezh. One way or another, the prevalence of such legends and their undoubted similarity once again proves the authenticity of this story. However, the more research is being done on Lake Svetloyar, the more questions scientists have that have yet to be answered.

In the history of the past, there are many references to unique civilizations and legendary lost cities such as Atlantis. However, her story is not the only one of its kind. Other cultures also have similar stories of disappeared ghost towns. Some of them sank to the bottom of the sea, while others were covered with desert sands. Most have never been found.

Legend of Kitezh

In Central Russia there is Lake Svetloyar, which is an adornment of Russian nature. Very often it is called "Russian Atlantis". The history of the appearance of the lake is covered with mystical events. According to legend, the lake is located in the thicket of the forest, “its waters remain frozen day and night. Only sometimes a light breeze glides over them in small ripples. Sometimes the bell ringing is heard up to the shores of the lake.

Even before the Tatar-Mongol invasion, the Russian prince Georgy Vsevolodovich built a city on the Volga called Small Kitezh. Then he found a place across the river that he liked, and built another city - Big Kitezh-grad with several golden-domed churches.

Khan Batu, after the start of the conquest of Russian lands, heard about the beauty of Kitezh and wanted to take possession of it. Arriving with a horde to Small Kitezh, Batu killed the prince's brother, and the prince himself, with the remnants of his squad, reached Kitezh-grad. One of the soldiers, who was captured by the khan, could not stand the torture and revealed the secret passages to the forest city. A huge army of Tatars surrounded the city and tried to capture it. However, when they came closer to the walls, they were very surprised: there were no fortifications around the city, no one thought to defend themselves. All the inhabitants of the city prayed fervently and loudly.

When the Tatars rushed to the attack, unexpectedly strong water sources clogged around the city. Water kept coming and covered the city. The Tatars, seized with fear, retreated in panic. When the water barrier that protected Kitezh went down, no one saw him. A lake appeared on the site of the city, and in the very middle a single cross of the top of the cathedral shone, and even that was slowly sinking into the water.

Since then, no one else has seen the city, but the legend says that it has become invisible and is under water. Kitezh remained intact - the Tatars did not plunder it. There is a passage to the lake, which is popularly called the Batu path. Only a person with a pure soul can walk along it and see the flickering lights of houses and churches in the depths. And early in the morning on the shore you can hear the sweet bell ringing of the cathedrals of Kitezh-grad.

The origins of the legend of the sacred Kitezh

According to legend, the city of Kitezh disappeared during the first Tatar-Mongol invasion of Russia, between 1236 and 1242. mystical lake Svetloyar, which covered the holy city of Kitezh with its waters, is located on the territory of the Volga region and has been known since ancient times as the center of pagan beliefs. Berendeys once lived near the lake, whose descendants have preserved the belief that Kitezh was the largest religious heart of the cult of the god Yarila. Therefore, the lake has always been revered by the Russian princes and was sacred to them.

After the baptism of Russia, the pagan Kitezh-grad turned into the center of Orthodoxy, but this did not change anything for the princes. They continued to visit him.

According to some scientists, Lake Svetloyar, which swallowed up the legendary city, is distinguished by strong positive energy. And although the gods of the Berendeys were replaced by the names of Orthodox saints, the place of worship itself is special for believers, and has magical energy that can heal. Therefore, today many mysterious stories and miraculous examples of healing are associated with this legendary place.

History of Kitezh in Christian chronicles

The Christian chronicles say that Kitezh was founded by the ruler Yuri Vsevolodovich - the son of Vsevolod "The Big Nest". Many cathedrals and churches were built in the great city. The whole of Kitezh was built of white stone, which spoke of the purity and power of the city. Khan Batu dreamed of world domination and wanted to lead the horde to the Mediterranean, but he was afraid that an undefeated Russian prince remained in the rear. That is why Batu ordered to torture the captured soldiers in every possible way in order to find out the secret passages to Kitezh. Everyone was silent, because they realized: if you give out the location of the city, this will lead to the complete destruction of the last Russians. But one of the warriors, Grishka Kuterma, could not stand the sophisticated bullying, agreeing to lead the enemy through secret paths to the holy city.

The horde went through impenetrable swamps and forest thickets, but the traitor knew all the paths, so he led the army of Batu Khan to Kitezh. When the inhabitants of the city saw the approaching horde, they gathered together and fervently prayed to God for salvation. The prayer was heard and the enemies watched in fear as the sacred Kitezh sank under the water. So the legendary city did not go to the merciless Tatars who wanted to plunder and dishonor it.

Spiritual value of Kitezh-grad

As historians note, some circumstances in the legend of the sacred city are in doubt. After all, the prince's squad, or rather its remnants, did not pose any danger to Batu with his large horde. Why did the khan need to lead an army through the marshland to a city that even then was considered mythical? The fact is that the majestic city had a special value for Russia, as it was its spiritual foundation. In the historical chronicles about Kitezh, there is information that almost the entire territory of the city was in the buildings of churches and temples, and this spoke of the largest unification of the Orthodox faith.

Historians have put forward a version that Kitezh was not the political basis of the Russians, but the spiritual one. That is why Batu decided to wipe Orthodoxy from the face of the earth, and also to deprive the Russians of hope for the future restoration of faith. But the holy city did not go to the enemy.

Expedition to the lake and riddles for scientists

The legend of Kitezh-grad lives on to this day. People who live near the lake say mystery stories about strangely dressed people who appear suddenly in different places. Also from the lips of local residents you can hear stories about mysterious disappearances people who came to find a glorious city.

Lake Svetloyar has long been of interest to geologists and archaeologists, including experts who independently investigate the mystery of the drowned city. Many explain the disappearance of Kitezh by physical laws, and some believe in the supernatural nature of things.

Getting to the lake is quite easy. It is located 100 kilometers from Nizhny Novgorod and just 2 kilometers from the village of Vladimirskoe. The lake itself has a regular oval shape - 500 x 350 meters. However, the depth reaches 40 meters. Therefore, swimming in the lake is prohibited.

For scientists, the lake asks many mysteries that have not yet been answered. How did it come about? And how could Kitezh-grad be swallowed up? Experts have not come to a consensus yet. Several options are put forward. According to some, the lake is of volcanic origin, others claim that it was left by a melted glacier, and still others blame karst voids for everything. Recently, studies have been carried out showing that the lake could have appeared at the site of a meteorite fall.

Thanks to underwater research, it turned out that the bottom of the lake has a complex relief, and the last subsidence of the earth's surface occurred about 800 years ago, along with the invasion of Batu into the territory of Russia. Coincidence? However, the city of Kitezh was not found at the bottom. Where, then, did such a majestic city go?

Among the versions put forward, the mystical side is also considered. Under certain circumstances and in a certain period of time, different dimensions could come into contact. As a result of the general sincere prayer of the townspeople in extreme conditions, the layers of reality could shift. Recall that Kitezh was considered a holy place for worship. In addition, the locals also chose the time of prayer not by chance. The day on which the prayer took place was unusual. The planets and celestial bodies took a certain position, in which there was a contact of other dimensions. Therefore, scientists even suggested that the sacred city of Kitezh was transferred to a parallel world.

Despite the legends and myths, as well as Russian folklore, scientists were able to detect traces of real events in the formation of the lake. Geologists have determined that the entire Central part of Russia lies on a slab of solid rock. However, its entire surface is cut by deep, intersecting depressions. It is on this fact that geologists base the appearance of such deep lake. Therefore, Kitezh could fall into this huge water reservoir.

Scuba divers, along with scientists, checked the lake with an echo sounder and found that it was anomalous. At the bottom, under a multi-meter sedimentary layer of mud, the reflected signals found something that did not transmit sound into the depths. When experts drew maps of this area, according to the scans, they got a strange pattern that resembled a city surrounded by embankments. It is not surprising that Kitezh existed, but then, as a result of tectonic activity, it simply went under water.

Geophysicists in the study of the lake used a hydrophone, made on the principle of converting sound into an electrical signal. During the experiments, in some places the water “shouted”, and in some places a sound was recorded that was very reminiscent of the ringing of a bell. The chemical composition of the lake's water also amazes scientists with its high content of bicarbonate and calcium.

The story of Kitezh, which was hidden from the enemy by the waters of the lake, is one of the most famous in history. To date, the city has not been found, but work on its search does not stop. Lake Svetloyar, where according to legend Kitezh sank, presents scientists with more and more mysteries, the answers to which we may never know.

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Kitezh (Kitezh-grad) - in the legends, a mystical city that allegedly became invisible and sank to the bottom of Lake Svetloyar during the Mongol-Tatar invasion of the 13th century. Also, it was believed that Kitezh was inhabited only by the righteous, and the wicked were not allowed there. According to legend, it was located in the northern part of the Nizhny Novgorod region, not far from the village of Vladimirskoye, on the shores of Lake Svetloyar near the Lunda River.

For many years, submarine archaeologists have been trying to solve the mystery of Lake Svetloyar, where, as they say in folk legends, the magical city of Kitezh is buried.

Legends of Kitezh

According to legend, Prince Yuri Vsevolodovich built the city of Bolshoy Kitezh on the banks of the Svetloyar. Particular emphasis is placed on the fact that the city was built in just 3 years - from 1165 to 1168 - and immediately made of stone, which was an unimaginable feat for forest Russia of that era. When the hordes of Batu invaded Russia, they captured and ravaged the city of Small Kitezh (or Gorodets) and, fleeing from the Mongol army, Prince Yuri took refuge in Big Kitezh, lost among the thickets of the Volga region.

But Batu found out the way to Bolshoi Kitezh and laid siege to it. Its inhabitants tirelessly prayed to the Mother of God to stand up for them. The defenders of the city stood to death, Prince Yuri was killed in battle. However, the forces were too unequal. Just about the enemies were supposed to break into Kitezh-grad, when suddenly a miracle happened. The city began to disappear before the eyes of Batu - Kitezh churches and buildings disappeared under water ... Frightened by the miracle that had happened, the enemy fled.

From time to time, according to the legends, from the bottom of Lake Svetloyar and from under the hills the ringing of bells is heard, from time to time the Kitezh old men appear, buy bread from the peasants, talk, and then disappear again. A righteous person can not only "see the vision" of Kitezh, but also get into the enchanted city and stay there forever...

The legend of the invisible city of Kitezh existed for a long time in oral form, passed down from generation to generation. In the 17th century, schismatic sketes began to appear in the forests of the Volga region - secret settlements of adherents of the old faith, not recognized by the official church. It was the schismatics who in the 18th century first wrote down the legend of Kitezh in the essay "The Book of the Chronicler." In their presentation, the legend acquired a pronounced religious character. According to their view, underwater city- this is a monastery in which the righteous elders live, and only people who truly believe can see Kitezh and hear the Kitezh bells, as already mentioned above.

“The fog cleared, and the domes of Kitezh shone with an unearthly light over the lake. The heavenly city of the righteous appeared in all its splendor. The main gates of the city opened, and a radiant old man appeared from them. He invited me to enter the miracle city and stay there forever.” This is how a pilgrim who crawled around Lake Svetloyar three times on her knees described her meeting with the legendary city. As a reward for her spiritual feat, the heavenly city appeared before her, and the inhabitants of Kitezh invited the old woman to their place. But she, frightened, refused to enter the monastery of the righteous.

Belief in the reality of the existence of Kitezh was preserved in the vicinity of Svetloyar and in a later period. 1982 - folklorists recorded the story of a local resident: “People say that somewhere in the middle of the lake there is a hole - not very big - well, as if it would be like a ladle. It's just very hard to find it. AT winter time ice on Svetloyar is clean, clean. So you have to come, shovel the snow, and you can see what is happening there, at the bottom. And there, they say, all sorts of miracles: white-stone houses stand, trees grow, bell towers, churches, chopped towers, living people walk ... But not everyone will find it, not everyone will be able to find this hole.

The locals say they know cases when the people of Kitezh helped people in the most mundane matters. “My grandmother used to tell me, as a little boy, that an old man lived alone here in a village by the lake. That old man once went to the forest for mushrooms. Walked and walked, and all in vain. Tired, he sat down on a stump ... Then he thought: "If only the old men of Kitezh would help." No sooner had he thought about it than drowsiness overtook him. Some time later, the old man woke up, opened his eyes, looked into the basket - and did not believe his eyes: there were mushrooms in it to the brim. Yes, even some - one to one, but all white!

It was said that one lost shepherd even dined in the city of Kitezh and wanted to get there another time, but could no longer find the way there.

1843 - the Moskvityanin magazine introduced the Russian people to this beautiful legend. She attracted the attention of scientists, inspired poets and writers. Rimsky-Korsak wrote an opera dedicated to Kitezh-grad, which had gone under water. And already a hundred years ago, the idea of ​​​​search for the legendary city at the bottom of Lake Svetloyar appeared.

Lake Svetloyar

Research

However, underwater archeology was not even dreamed of in those days. Searches are engaged only in our days. At first, archaeologists excavated Small Kitezh, that is, Gorodets. There were found traces of a powerful fire that destroyed the city in the first half of the 13th century. It became clear that this was done by Batu's army. This may mean that the legend is right in that part when it says that Small Kitezh was burned by the Tatar-Mongols. Well, what about Big Kitezh, which went to the bottom of Lake Svetloyar? 1959 - the first expedition of submarine archaeologists went to the lake. She was not successful. But, perhaps, we need to conduct a more thorough search?

1968 - the department of science of Literaturnaya Gazeta organized a complex expedition to Lake Svetloyar. It included folklorists, an archaeologist, a historian, a geologist, a lake historian, a hydrologist and a group of scuba divers. The purpose of the expedition was to find out what is the connection with reality, with Lake Svetloyar, of the legend of Kitezh-grad, which has become a symbol of faith in undying Russia, in the incorruptibility of Russian culture, in the final victory over all disasters. Could the city really go to the bottom of the lake?

Research by submarine archaeologists

Geologist V.I. Nikishin came to the conclusion that Svetloyar is a "failure" of the earth's crust, which filled with water and became a lake. Having sunk to its bottom, scuba divers and hydrologist D.A. Kozlovsky was able to establish that the coastal slope of Svetloyar goes under water in three ledges to a depth of 30 meters.

The first terrace, with a gentle slope, is located at a depth of 8–9 meters. The second, separated by a steep slope, is at a depth of 22–23 meters and, in the end, the “last bottom”, the deep part of the lake, is submerged to a depth of 30 meters. According to Kozlovsky, the deep-water part of the lake was formed about one and a half thousand years ago. Then, 700–800 years ago, a new “failure” occurred, and a terrace appeared at a depth of 22–23 meters. And already, 350-400 years ago, the last, shallow terrace was formed.

Perhaps the city of Kitezh once stood on one of the terraces? After all, the time of formation of the second terrace surprisingly coincides with the date of his death, which is mentioned in the legends ... Archaeologists-submariners began to study the bottom of the lake in detail. The “shallow” terrace was examined using a special waterscope. It is a sheet steel cone with a Plexiglas bottom. Its diameter is 60 cm. The rubber part of the mask was fixed on the narrow part of the cone of the waterscope, and the “viewing” began. The water in Svetloyar is very clean and transparent, visibility is excellent.

In the southwestern part of the lake, in shallow water, archaeologists have found the remains of piles. City of Kitezh No. locals they say that in the 19th century there was a bathhouse built by a local landowner. Nothing could be found on the second terrace either. Scuba divers A. Gogeshvili and G. Nazarov went down under the water and passed the entire lake from north to south. However, there is no Kitezh-grad with fortress walls and gilded church domes at the bottom of Svetloyar!

True, the bottom is covered with a thick multi-meter layer of silt. On a shallow terrace, 50 meters from the shore, at a depth of 6–8 meters, scuba divers found the remains of trees. The top of one of them was cut down and sent for analysis to the Geological Institute of the USSR Academy of Sciences. Radiocarbon analysis showed that the tree died 350-400 years ago. And this corresponds to the time period of the formation of a shallow terrace, calculated by D.A. Kozlovsky!

So, one of the terraces was actually formed as a result of a "failure"? And if the dates proposed by Kozlovsky are accurate, then the second "failure" occurred in the era of the Mongol invasion - at the time associated with the death of the legendary Kitezh-grad!

The following year, submarine archaeologists arrived at Lake Svetloyar along with a group of Leningrad scientists armed with a geolocator. The ZGL device was hoisted onto a fishing boat. 62 echo-sounding lines were made at Svetloyar, the lake was cut along and across by “profiles”, which made it possible to penetrate through a many-meter layer of silt. In the northern part of Svetloyar, on the terrace of the "Batu" times, the sound sonar showed a certain formation of an oval shape. Traces of a fenced structure? However, this formation may also have a natural origin.

“A year later, in the middle of the lake, exploration geologists made 5 test drillings according to our instructions,” wrote the expedition leader Mark Barinov. - They removed pieces of wood from under a 10-meter layer of silt, on which forensic experts in Moscow found traces of human activity. Thus ended our reconnaissance on Lake Svetloyar. Did we find Kitezh? There is no answer to this question yet. The floor is up to the archaeologists, armed with powerful modern technology.”