Morske Oko
| Morskie Oko | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Coordinates | 49°11′50″N 20°4′15″E / 49.19722°N 20.07083°ECoordinates: 49°11′50″N 20°4′15″E / 49.19722°N 20.07083°E |
| Type | Moraine-dammed |
| Primary outflows | Rybi Potok |
| Basin countries | Poland |
| Max. length | 0.862 km (0.536 mi) |
| Max. width | 0.566 km (0.352 mi) |
| Surface area | 0.3493 km2 (0.1349 sq mi) |
| Max. depth | 50.8 m (167 ft) |
| Surface elevation | 1,395 m (4,577 ft) |
Morskie Oko (literally "Sea Eye" or "Eye of the Ocean"; Slovak: Morské oko, "Sea Eye"; Hungarian: Halas-tó, "Fish Lake") is the largest and fourth-deepest lake in the Tatra Mountains. It is located deep within the Tatra National Park, Poland, in the Rybi Potok (the Fish Brook) Valley, of the High Tatras mountain range at the base of the Mięguszowiecki Summits, in Lesser Poland Voivodeship.
The peaks that surround the lake rise about 1,000 meters above its surface; one of them is Rysy (2,499 meters), the highest peak in the Polish Tatras. Beside Mięguszowiecki Summits (including Mięguszowiecki Szczyt Wielki, 2,438 meters), farther away and slightly to the left, is the distinctive, slender Mnich (“Monk,” 2,068 meters). Many Swiss Pines also grow around the lake.
In the past, Morskie Oko was called "Rybie Jezioro" ("Fish Lake") due to its natural stock of fish, which are uncommon in Tatra lakes and ponds. In the clear depths of the water, one can easily notice trout - so called "famine" trout - that live in the lake. The name "Morskie Oko" ("Sea Eye", "Eye of the Sea") is derived from an old legend, according to which the lake was connected to the sea via an underground passage.
The hut of the Polish Tourism and Local Lore Society (PTTK) stands on the moraine that closes the lake from the north. The hut is situated 1,405 meters above sea level and belongs to the oldest Tatra chalets. The hut is named after Stanisław Staszic, who explored the lake in 1805. It is a point of departure for hikes to Rysy and Szpiglasowa Przełęcz. Nearby is the Stare Schronisko ("Old Shelter"), originally a coachhouse. Both buildings have been granted historical status.
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Wikipedia