The Seven Rila Lakes are a group of glacial lakes located in the northwestern Rila Mountains of Bulgaria. Positioned at elevations ranging from 2,100 to 2,500 meters above sea level, they are the most visited lakes in the country. Each lake is named based on its most distinctive feature.
The highest lake is called Salzata (“The Tear”) and is known for its clear waters, which offer deep visibility. The next lake is Okoto (“The Eye”), named for its almost perfectly oval shape. Okoto is also the deepest cirque lake in Bulgaria, with a depth of 37.5 meters. Babreka (“The Kidney”) features the steepest shores in the group, while Bliznaka (“The Twin”) is the largest by area. Trilistnika (“The Trefoil”) has an irregular shape and low shores. The shallowest lake is Ribnoto Ezero (“The Fish Lake”), and the lowest is Dolnoto Ezero (“The Lower Lake”), where waters from the other lakes converge to form the Dzherman River.
The Seven Rila Lakes attract tourists for their stunning natural beauty. The lakes are arranged one above the other and are connected by small streams, which create tiny waterfalls and cascades. There is tourist accommodation nearby, including a chalet on the northeastern shore of The Fish Lake, situated at an elevation of 2,196 meters.
The photograph was taken in early spring, with wild crocuses blooming near the shores of Ribnoto Ezero (“The Fish Lake”). I titled it “The Spring Rules of Thirds,” signifying “1/3 winter + 2/3 spring.”
