"Shypit Waterfall" Pylypets

Shypit is considered one of the seven man-made wonders of Ukraine, as it is the most beautiful and most visited waterfall in Zakarpattia, which can be admired at any time of the year. It fascinates its visitors every time with unique sounds and incredibly picturesque surrounding nature.

Shypit is located on one of the northern slopes of the Borzhava valley at the foot of Mount Gimba (1491 m) on the Ploshanka River, which originates from underground springs on Mount Velykyi Verkh (1598 m). Starting its journey high in the mountains, the stream runs down a picturesque gorge, joining other small streams. On one of the steep descents, the Ploshanka forms an unusually beautiful 14-meter waterfall, formed from numerous picturesque cascades.

Every year, a huge number of tourists come to see this work of art by Mother Nature. Although Shypit is beautiful at any time of the year, in summer, especially when there is a drought, the mighty waterfall turns into a small stream that runs down several rock ledges. In winter, the waterfall is partially frozen by ice, forming fancy figures.

However, Shypit is most attractive to tourists either in spring, when the snow begins to melt on Borzhava, or in autumn, when the mountains are flooded with heavy autumn rains. It is at this time that the full-flowing handsome waterfall sounds loudly to the whole neighborhood, as if telling its listeners an ancient legend, or maybe a tragic love story

A waterfall legend

Long ago, two families lived in the village of Pylypets. The richer family had a beautiful daughter, Marichka, who was the real pride of her parents. Being both noble and good, the girl attracted many wealthy matchmakers. However, Marichka loved Ivan, who was from a poor family. To prevent their parents from finding out about their feelings and separating them, the lovers decided to meet secretly, and the place of their frequent romantic meetings was the foot of the Velykyi Verkh mountain, where only nature could witness their dates.

However, as soon as Marichka and Ivanko did not hide their feelings from strangers, "you can't hide a needle in a sack." The girl's mother found out about their love. One day she followed her daughter when she went to meet Ivanko. In a terrible anger, she began to scold the lovers. And while she was cursing, the sky made a terrible noise, lightning appeared, and a terrible downpour began. The turbulent muddy stream immediately picked up the boy and girl and carried them into the abyss. At first, Ivanko and Marichka held hands tightly, but the waterfall forcibly separated their hands and threw them in two opposite directions.

Since then, the mother, who saw the terrible tragedy with her own eyes, came to the waterfall every day. Until one day, on the very night of Ivan Kupala, she heard her daughter's voice whispering to her beloved. Stunned and grief-stricken, the mother shouted out loud: "Do you hear a whisper? It's them whispering to each other!" Since then, the waterfall has been called "Shypit".

However, there is another version of the waterfall's name, not as romantic as the previous one, according to which the name "Shypit" was given to it for its loud voice, which can be heard as a human whisper from a distance.

The "Hiss" festival

Shypit also owes its popularity to the subculture festival of the same name, which has been held on a lawn near the waterfall since 1993. Since then, the festival, which lasts from July 1 to 7, has attracted numerous informals from all over the world every year. As part of the festival, fascinating fairy-tale performances with notes of local traditions and special flavor take place on the night of Midsummer along the waterfall.

The festivities are very loud, so people in the know say that for those who prefer peace and quiet, as well as for families with small children, early July is not the best time to get acquainted with Shipot, because these days it is noisy and not always clean, and the guests of the festival like to relax in Adam and Eve costumes to the delight (or not, depending on who likes it) of others.

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