Svyatoe, Natural lake in Ivanovo Oblast, Russia

Svyatoe is a lake in Ivanovo Oblast, Russia, protected as a natural monument and surrounded by forest and wetland vegetation. The water meets the land through a fringe of reeds and waterside plants typical of the boggy terrain in this part of the country.

The lake lies on the left bank of the lower Lukh River. A local legend says it formed on the site of a well dug by the elder Filaret, who settled here in the early 14th century. On 22 February 1965, decision No. 164 of the Ivanovo Regional Executive Committee declared it a natural monument; the protected area covers 314 ha, with a buffer zone of 1,024 ha.

Local legend says the lake formed on the site of a well dug by the hermit Filaret, who settled here in the early 14th century. Folklore also holds that Prince Dmitry Pozharsky healed his wounds in its water, and that bells and candles can be seen or heard beneath the surface. The Svyatoezersky Iversky Monastery stands on the southern shore.

The ground around the lake is often wet and boggy, so sturdy footwear is strongly recommended before setting out. Walking along the natural paths through the surrounding forest is the most straightforward way to reach the shoreline.

Although it carries the status of a natural monument, the lake is a relatively small body of water that looks much like others in the region at first glance. What sets it apart is the combination of its ecosystem as a whole rather than any single visible feature.