Lake Plateliai (Samogitian dialect: Plateliu ežers) is the biggest lake in Samogitia and 9th biggest in Lithuania. It is the central attraction in the Žemaitija National Park. It covers about and reaches up to in depth. It has seven islands, one of them housed a castle and now is called Castle Island. Archeologists found remains of two castles and think it might be the Queen Bona castle. Archeologai ieškos nuskendusių salų, ELTA, July 2, 2005. Delfi.lt. Accessed August 19, 2006. The lake has both diving and yacht clubs. Plateliai town is located on the west bank of the lake.
Events and attractions Lake Plateliai is famous for several events. It has hosted the rock music festival Roko naktys (English: Nights of Rock) since 2002. However, it seems the festival will have to relocate as the little town cannot accommodate more than 4,000 people attending the event. "Roko naktys" šiemet Plateliuose vyks paskutinį kartą, Delfi.lt, July 31, 2006. Accessed August 19, 2006. For 25 years swimmers have competed in a marathon in the lake. In 2006, a record number of people participated: 21 people swam a distance of 3.5 km and 154 swam 1.8 km. Justė Radzevičiūtė, Platelių plaukimo didįjį maratoną laimėjo G.Sikorskytė ir V.Volodko. Delfi.lt, July 30, 2006. Accessed August 19, 2006.
The Cold War Museum was established in the Plokštinė missile base, located in the forest not far from the lake.
Archaeology The lake is one of the most interesting sites for underwater archeology. Scientists think that the water level was much lower years ago and that some islands are now underwater. For example, in 2002 divers found a big stone with human-made markings, that resemble the letter L. The stone was surrounded by smaller stones and a hypothesis was raised that it was a sacred place for the pagans. Asta Buitkutė, Platelių dugne - mįslingas akmuo. Lietuvos rytas, July 25, 2002. Delfi.lt. Accessed August 19, 2006. In 2002, on the bottom of the lake archeologists found three boats, about 5.5 meters in length, dated to the times of Vytautas the Great. Iš Platelių ežero bus iškelta senovinė valtis-luotas, BNS, July 5, 2002. Delfi.lt. Accessed August 19, 2006.
Islands The lake has seven islands.
Calves' Island () is the third largest island and is located in the northern part of the lake. It is said that a local farmer started taking his calves to graze on the island, thus giving the island its name. Corydalis cava which is an endangered species in Lithuania grows on the island.
Ubagsalė is the fifth largest island. It is located in the northern part of the lake close to the shoreline. The name is associated with the stories about beggars () who liked to party on the island when returning from the Great Žemaičių Kalvarija Festival.
See also Lakes of Lithuania
References
External links Žemaitija National Park: Lakes Octopusas diving routes with pictures