National parks and reserves in Belarus

“Braslavskiye Ozera” National Park

         One of the most scenic Belarus sites, “Braslavskiye Ozera” National Park, is situated in the northwest of the country, 250 km from Minsk and near to the border with Lithuania and Latvia. The park was established in 1995. Its territory occupies more than 69 000 hectares, of which 2 581 have been designated as a reserve. The national park is based on the series of connected, large and small Braslav Lakes, 61 in total with an area of 12 701 hectares. The biggest lakes are Drivuaty, Snudy, Strusto, Voiso, Volos Severny, Nedrovo, Berezha, Daubli, Potekh. The second largest island in Belarus – Chaichin (1,6 sq km) – is situated in the middle of Lake Strusto. The island itself also has a reservoir, a very small lake, in the center. Volos Yuzhny Lake is the deepest in the park with a maximum depth of 40.4 meters. The lake is famous for its amazingly clear water (transparent down to 7 m). The regional flora numbers more than 800 species of plants, about 20 of them listed in the Red Book of the Republic of Belarus (as a species close to extinction). More than 30 species of fish including eel populate Braslav Lakes. Up to 35% percent of all the nesting birds in Belarus stay on the territory of the park. There are more than 217 species of game birds, which is 15% of the game reserve in Poozerye region. On the territory of the Braslav district live 52 species of mammals (badgers, lynxes, brown bears, squirrels, elks, wild boars, roes), 10 amphibious species and 5 species of reptiles.

         There are many archaeological, historical and cultural monuments in “Braslavskiye Ozera” National Park. In the center of the park stands one of the oldest Belarusian towns, Braslav, first mentioned in the chronicles of the 11th century. The town is situated on a green hill of the northern bank of Drivyaty Lake.