Bolshoy Sadovy Pond, reservoir in Russia
Bolshoy Sadovy Pond is a large reservoir in Moscow fed by the Zhabnya River and a canal from the Khimki Reservoir, covering roughly 19 hectares with an average depth of 2 meters (6 feet). The west bank features reinforced embankments and a sandy beach for recreation, while the remaining shores border forest areas and footpaths winding through the landscape.
The pond was created in the second half of the 18th century as part of the Petrovsko-Razumovskoe estate landscape. During the Soviet era it became integrated into the city's water system, and in 1940 it was declared a natural reserve, later becoming part of a larger protected natural complex in 1998 where construction and landscape changes are prohibited.
The pond sits at the heart of local life, where residents gather year-round for swimming, boating, and quiet strolls along the water. The sandy beach on the west bank and the boat rental stations reflect how deeply this water body has woven itself into the neighborhood's daily rhythms and leisure habits.
The swimming season runs from June through August with lifeguards stationed along the west bank, and water quality is monitored by health authorities. Public transport options including nearby bus stops and metro stations make reaching the pond convenient from across the city.
During winter holidays such as Epiphany, locals gather for ice bathing rituals by cutting holes through the frozen surface and plunging into the icy water. This tradition reveals a deeper cultural connection to the pond beyond its everyday use for summer recreation.
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