Souvenir Market at Lake Synevyr, Synevyrska Poliana
The souvenir market at Lake Synevyr is a row of stalls along the road and footpath leading to the largest lake in the Ukrainian Carpathians. Here, in the forest at almost a kilometre above sea level, Zakarpattia treats, herbal teas, honey, mushrooms, woollens and souvenirs are sold under tents and on wooden tables. For most travellers the market is part of the walk to Synevyr itself: on the way up they look over the goods, and on the way back they buy gifts to take home.
Why go
Synevyr is one of Zakarpattia's great natural treasures — a lake with a legend about the shepherd Vyr and the count's daughter Syn, surrounded by the spruce forests of the Synevyr National Nature Park. The market adds flavour to the trip: after a walk around the lake it is pleasant to drink a hot tea of Carpathian herbs, taste local honey or bryndza and choose gifts that will remind you of the Mizhhiria area. Most sellers come from the nearby villages — Synevyrska Poliana, Synevyr and Kolochava — and are happy to talk about local customs and where they picked their berries or mushrooms.
What to buy and taste
- Herbal teas and blends of thyme, St John's wort, mint and bilberry leaves — often served hot right at the stall.
- Honey — mountain, forest and wildflower, plus other bee products.
- Zakarpattia cheeses: bryndza, budz and smoked cheese.
- Dried and pickled mushrooms, bilberry and lingonberry jams.
- Woollen socks and mittens, lizhnyk blankets, small wooden souvenirs and magnets with views of the lake.
Traditions of the Mizhhiria area
The Tereblia valley, where Synevyr lies, is a land of loggers, timber rafters and shepherds. Nearby Kolochava has a museum of forestry and timber rafting, and the Kuzyi area is home to the brown bear rehabilitation centre. Locals have long lived from the forest, livestock and mountain-pasture farming: they made bryndza, gathered mushrooms and berries and wove wool. Some of these traditions can be felt at the market too — in the food, the woollens and the conversations with the sellers.
Practical information
Where: the approach to Lake Synevyr (Synevyr National Nature Park), above Synevyrska Poliana village in Khust district, Zakarpattia — the stalls line the road and the path from the car park to the lake.
When: daily during the day; most sellers are there in the warm season and in autumn, and in winter or bad weather some stalls are closed.
Good to know: entry to the lake area is paid (national park ticket), and parking is extra. The market is by the entrance, so you can visit it without a lake ticket. Bring cash.
Getting there
From Mizhhiria to Synevyrska Poliana it is about 30 km along the Tereblia; from Khust about 80 km and from Mukachevo roughly 120 km. A car is the most convenient option; by public transport take a bus to Synevyrska Poliana and then walk a few kilometres uphill or take a taxi. The road to the lake is paved but narrow and steep.
At a glance
- Address: Synevyrska Poliana
- Opening hours: Daily during the day
- Season: Most sellers from spring to autumn
Photos: i.ytimg.com.
