Iskanderkul Lake in Tajikistan, 72 meters deep and 3.4 square kilometers, is one of the main attractions of the republic. Iskanderkul Lake is located on the northern slopes of the Hissar mountain range, in the middle between high mountains covered with juniper trees; in the valley formed by the Sarytag and Hazor-Metschet rivers. Huge mountains with a height of 4000-5000 m rise around the valley. The beauty of the lake is incomparable; It is very well known and very popular with tourists and nature lovers. According to tradition, Alexander the Great passed here with his troops, whose name this lake bears ("Iskander", Tajik Alexander, "Kul" - lake).
In general, there are two legends about the formation of the lake in Tajikistan. The first says that during his campaign in India, the commander came across a village that refused to surrender in any way. Alexander conquered the rich lands of Sogdiana - the state was then in these parts, but met resistance. The highlands could not come to terms with what had happened and began to launch surprise attacks on the army led by the Macedonians. Alexander was furious and ordered the damming of the river on which the Sogdian settlement stood. So the city and its inhabitants were forever buried in the lake that appeared in their place.
Another legend says that the Macedonian horse Bucephalus drank ice water and caught a cold while stopping at the reservoir, and after recovering a few days later, grazing on the bank, he suddenly neighed, climbed the highest rock and threw himself into it from there Water of the lake. The Macedonian was very upset, waited several days and led the army on, leaving the servants and soldiers on the bank on duty. Since then, Bucephalus has gone to pasture every month when the moon is full: the water of the lake and a snow-white horse appear on the surface, accompanied by keepers.
Despite the fact that local residents prefer ancient legends, Iskandarkul was formed in an ancient glacial valley covered by moraine deposits from a glacier and a mountain avalanche. This type of dammed structure, covered with rock from above, is believed to be the result of a collapse, possibly due to a powerful earthquake.
Not far from the reservoir, on the Iskanderdarya River, in a narrow gorge, a large waterfall rushes, Fan Niagara, and there is another dammed glacial lake nearby.
