Popovo Lake, Glacial lake in Pirin Mountains, Bulgaria

Popovo Lake is a glacial lake in the Pirin Mountains at 2,234 m, within Pirin National Park. It has an irregular pentagon shape, measures 480 m by 336 m, and holds a small islet. The lake sits at the bottom of the Popovski cirque, surrounded by the peaks Sivria, Dzhano, Kralev Dvor, Momin Dvor and Dzhengal.

The lake was known as Papaz Göl until 29 June 1942, when it was renamed Popovo. Its basin was carved by glaciers in the Popovski cirque, the largest in Pirin at 6 km long and 3 km wide. The lake feeds the Retizhe, a right tributary of the Mesta, via the seven Fish Popovski Lakes.

The name comes from a local legend about a priest who entered the waters, a story that remains part of the region's folklore. This tale shapes how local people and visitors understand the place.

The lake is reachable by a marked trail from a nearby mountain hut where hikers can gather information before the approach. Bring weather-appropriate clothing and water since conditions at altitude can change quickly.

The lake's irregular pentagon shape encloses a small islet. According to the more popular legend, a priest threw himself into the water after Ottoman Turks violated his daughter; his cap surfaced and formed the islet. The other legend says the Slavic god Perun drowned a priest who came to expel him, and the cap became the islet.