(Source: http://m.fotki.yandex.ru)

Russia's Sebezhsky National Park was taken under state protection in 1996. Since then, this is a highly protected area.

Sebezhsky National Park occupies one third of Sebezhsky District of the Pskov Oblast: total 50 hectares. This is a unique natural oasis where one can find 650 rare species of plants and more than 200 species of birds, many of which are included to the Red List of Threatened Species. These are the black stork, osprey, white-tailed eagle, golden eagle, lesser spotted eagle, gray shrike. The forests abound in berries and mushrooms. It is inhabıted by bears, foxes and moose, which do not fear of vacationers and tourists. Besides these, there live quite a lot of beavers, martens, badgers, deer and wild boars.

Sebezhsky National Park is unique not only for its nature. There can be found Stone Age settlements and fantastic medieval buildings. The last include, for example, a well-preserved bell tower of destroyed Church of the Nativity in Sebezh depicted on the park emblem. There are ancient forts, villages and burial mounds. The most ancient sites in the National Park belong to Neolithic Age. In all, there are 86 lakes in the reserve.

The water is crystal clear and the depth of White Lake reaches 25 meters. Park's gem is Lake Zelenets, which is 10 km away from the guest house in Rudnia village. The lake is filled with mineralized water with tints of turquoise. The bottom is sandy. Hydrogen sulfide was discovered in bottom sediments, therefore the lake never overgrows with algae and water stays perfectly clear. According to the sample tests, the water is not only safe to drink, but also can maintain its properties for long time if stored. Moreover, it has healing properties.

The fish world is not so diverse: in the lake can be found only perch. But scuba diving fans have something to check: the bottom relief is extremely diverse; there are many beautiful pieces of wood wreckage, perfectly preserved due to water’s unique structure. On the shore there are comfortable slopes descending to the water and equipped bathing areas; shelters with tables, benches and campfire. In the park was created full-fledged infrastructure for recreation in nature. It can be even compared with staying in cottages in Finland, but for different value. The clean air and wonderful fishing are guaranteed. Within the National Park area there are places allocated for campsites, equipped with everything necessary for visitors. The manors of poet Gavriil Derzhavin and writer Denis Fonvizin are located in Sebezhsky District. On the Sebezh outskirts, by the sacred water spring stands a chapel to which the great Ivan Bunin dedicated one of his poems.

LOCAL SPECIFICS
The climate is temperate continental with the transition to the oceanic and is quite humid: the annual rainfall reaches 650 mm. The winter is quite mild but the summer is cool: the average temperature in January is -7 °, in July +17 °. The absolute minimum reported was -40 ° and the absolute maximum +35 °.