Abkhazia is an amazing place to which God gave fabulously beautiful nature, healing waters, crystal clear air. It is not at all surprising that vacationers come here from all over the world to admire the local sights, and at the same time improve their he alth. And there really is something to see. The sea, lakes, fast rivers, dense forests, high mountains - this is Abkhazia. Lake Ritsa is one of the attractions of this country, which is remembered by absolutely all tourists.
Lake Ritsa rightfully bears the title of a miracle of Abkhazia, because it is the most amazing creation of nature. It was located in the basin of the Bzyb River inside a huge stone bowl. The lake is located in the gorge of the Yupshara and Lashpsy rivers at an altitude of 950 m above sea level, so to get to it, you need to overcome a difficult path. In some places, Ritsa reaches a depth of 131 meters, its area is 132 hectares. The lake is fed by glaciers, which, even in the hot season, do not leave the tops of the impregnable mountains surrounding Ritsu.
Geologists agree that Lake Ritsa is quite young and was formed about 250 - 300 thousand years ago. Thisa strong earthquake could have contributed, due to which a slope fell off Mount Pshegishkha and fell into the Lashpsu River, as a result damming it.
Depending on the season, the lake changes its color: in autumn and winter it is azure, and in spring and summer it is emerald. This is facilitated by lapis lazuli - an amazingly beautiful mineral lying at the bottom of the Ritsa. It is he who makes the water surface look like a sapphire. In summer, the lake looks like an emerald, because microscopic plant phytoplankton appears in it. It is also an indicator of the purity of local waters, because it does not tolerate pollution and lives only in pure spring water.
Although there is a scientific version of how Lake Ritsa was created, the locals love to tell legends about its origin. So, according to one of them, there used to be a robber settlement on this place. One evening a wanderer came to him, but no one wanted to let him into the house, only one old woman took pity on the man and let him spend the night. In the morning he thanked her and warned her of the danger hanging over the area. Soon a storm really began, and a beautiful lake appeared on the site of the village.
There is another, more romantic legend. A very beautiful girl named Ritsa lived in the mountains and she had three brothers - Atsetuka, Agepsta and Pshegihsha. The brothers went hunting, and the sister cooked food for them. Once, while waiting for the brothers, Ritsa went for a walk in the forest so that the girl would not be bored and sang. Her beautiful voice attracted the attention of the robbers Yupshar and Geg,Seeing the beauty, they immediately decided to kidnap her. Yupshara abused Ritsa, and out of desperation she threw herself into the lake. The brothers found out about everything, found the robber and turned him into the Yupshara River, while they themselves turned to stone and remained mountains forever, guarding the peace of their sister.
Today Lake Ritsa gathers around itself millions of tourists who want to look at the beauty of these places. Boats rush along the water surface, boats slowly sail by. Lake Ritsa will help you completely relax, renounce everyday problems, and gain strength. Abkhazia is an amazing place where you want to admire the smooth surface of the lake and the landscape of majestic mountains forever.
