White Lake

White Lake is located on the Resurrection Mountain in the historical center of Tomsk.

There are many legends that claim the origin of the lake name. They say that earlier the lake was surrounded by a birch grove, that there was a special white fish in it, but, most likely, the lake was called White due to the fact that it used to be called Ak-kul (from Tatar “white, clean”). In ancient times, it was believed that the lake water is healing, so various diseases were often treated with it. Also, people drank water from the lake and used it to extinguish fires.

In 1870, the lake was changed: deepened, given a different shape and planted with trees. During the war, the lake was used by the Tomkabel plant, which polluted it. In 1950, the water was cleaned, and a monument to the first Tomsk cosmonaut Nikolai Rukavishnikov was installed on the shore.

Now the lake is a favorite place for meetings and walks. Fishermen gather on its shores, and around the shore there are many cafes for tourists and locals.