Lake Sasyk-Sivash is the largest of the lakes with therapeutic mud in the suburbs of Yevpatoria, thanks to which the city in the 19th century became one of the most famous balneological resorts of the Russian Empire. The area of Lake Sasyk-Sivash reaches 75 km2. This is the largest lake not only in the suburbs of Yevpatoria, but also in the whole Crimea.
Translated from the Crimean Tatar language, "Sasyk-Sivash" means "fetid mud". The lake confirms its name, since huge reserves of therapeutic mud are concentrated at its bottom. It has a specific smell of hydrogen sulfide.
In addition to Lake Sasyk-Sivash in the vicinity of Yevpatoria, there is also Moynaki Lake and Saki Lake, where a layer of therapeutic mud is formed at the bottom. All the lakes were once sea estuaries, but several thousand years ago sandbanks formed that separated them from the sea. The width of the sandy bridge that separates Sasyk-Sivash from the sea is about 500 meters. A road connecting Yevpatoria with the rest of the territory of Crimea is laid along it.
The shores of Lake Sasyk-Sivash are not equipped for walking, but people come here. Some people want to take beautiful photos of pink water. Others come to take medical treatments right on the lake.
The beautiful pink color of Lake Sasyk-Sivash, as well as Saki Lake, is due to the unicellular algae Dunaliella Salina, which secrete carotene. The intensity of carotene release varies depending on the time of year. In spring, the lake has a purple color, and in the hot summer months its water turns bright pink.
If you plan to visit Lake Sasyk-Sivash for independent balneological procedures, then you have to remember that the lake is divided into several parts by dams. The therapeutic pool of the lake is located far enough from the sand spit where you can park a car. It is important to remember that mud should be covered only on problem areas of the body. You should not cover the whole body with mud.
The procedure time for adults should not exceed 20 minutes, and for children – 10 minutes. It is dangerous to stay in the salty solution (brine) of the lake for more than 15 minutes. In sanatoriums, brine mineralization is artificially decreased so that it does not cause skin burns. Also in sanatoriums, procedures are made at optimal room temperature. Covering the body with mud, and then bathing in a highly mineralized brine solution under the hot sun in the summer months is dangerous.
