Lake Masazir in Baku, Azerbaijan: Pinky, Salty and Surreal

There’re a few lakes on our planet that look a little weird.

I mean their colors; some look reddish, others more greenish.

Believe it or not, there's even a yellowish sulfur lake in China as well.

Needless to say, most of those few are usually related to humans interfering with nature, like chemical pollution, etc.

Once more, some of those handful of lakes' color changes are due to natural occurrences.

And they're mostly temporary.

But there's a pink lake in Azerbaijan that’s always the same color, all year long.

I’m talking about Lake Masazir in Baku.

The permanent color of this salty lake, crafted by nature itself, leaves a deep impression on anyone who sees it.

It even causes lasting damage to those who see it, and as a result, they want to visit it again.

That one is a joke.

Tout court, if you’re in Baku and looking for a way-out attraction to enjoy, this little article will clue you all about Masazir Lake, like:

• The cause of its pink color;
  

• What to expect from this visit;
  

• And more.

Let’s start.

Saline Lands of Eastern Azerbaijan: A Cause of the Pink?

First things first, it's good to know that almost a fourth of Azerbaijan (probablee even more) is made up of solonchaks (saline soils).

This also means that much of the region is likely to have salt marshes.

Indeed, if you look at a map of the Land of Fire, you’ll see that the eastern part of the country, in particular, is made up of barren land.

The best evidence of that is the Candy Cane Mountains or the Gobustan Mud Volcanoes.

And to no lesser degree, the Absheron Peninsula - and naturally, the capital Baku - is included in this dry, salty caravan.

Fun fact: There’re many large and small lakes in this relatively dry zone. 

More interestingly, the second largest lake in Azerbaijan, Lake Boyukshor (means “Big Salty”), is also located here, in Baku.

But unlike the pink lake Baku, it has a normal color. So, salt isn't the main cause on its own.

Since it's not just about the salt itself, then where does this pink color come from?

The Main Cause of the Pink Color of Lake Masazir in Baku

Speaking scientifically, the pink or reddish coloration of salty lakes is usually caused by halophilic (salt-loving) bacteria and algae.

And this love produces pigments that look red.

For example, the pink hue in Lake Natron in Tanzania is primarily due to a type of algae called Dunaliella salina. 

However, the case of the pink color of Masazir Lake (Masazır Gölü or Masazırgöl in Azeri) is a bit different.

At least that's what I have researched and what is written on the internet.

So the story goes, the main cause of the pink color of Lake Masazir is saline, chloride, and high concentrations of sulfate. 

This trio gives the water a reddish color.

Well, enough science. Let's talk a bit about the lake itself.

Lake's surface area is around 10 km².

From 1813, salt has been mined from this pink salt lake on a regular basis.

That's right, previously salt was mined by primitive methods, but later on, a salt-producing plant began to operate in the area.

The older folks around here say the water at the pink lake Azerbaijan was healing, langsyne.

Locals once used its water for a bunch of skin diseases, as well as asthma and goiter (thyroid problems).

And now they come here just to breathe the fresh, salty air.

Sadly, today this authentic lake is feeling the effects of climate change and human interference.

Azerbaijan Pink Lake: Worth Visiting or Not?

Frankly, there's not too much to expect from visiting Lake Masazir.

If you need a lake with epic views, you should visit other lakes in Azerbaijan, like Lake Goygol or Nohur Lake.

Nevertheless, at the end of the day, it's all a matter of personal opinion.

But if you're bored with the usual regular attractions in Baku, it’ll definitely be worth it to let it all hang out.

If you plan to visit, I’d recommend going there in summer because, during the warm months, the pink hue of the lake is much more apparent.

The good thing is that it’s about 25 km away from Baku’s Old City.

So it’s easy to reach.

Have a salty and pinky visit!

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