"Karelia will dream for a long time, They will dream from these sharp-pointed firs of the eyelashes Above the blue eyes of the lakes."
Always, when I left or came home to Karelia, this song accompanied me. It is always turned on on the train. I remembered her often when I lived in other countries - in France, and then in Tunisia. This little quatrain describes the nature of Karelia. These are forests, lakes ("lambushki" as they call small ones here, forest lakes), swamps, rivers, waterfalls, rocks.
I grew up in the forests of Karelia, so I'm not afraid to go there. They are dear to me. Wild animals are also found here: wolves, chanterelles, hares and bears. It is the bear that is depicted on the emblem of the Republic of Karelia, as the embodiment of its nature. When we went for berries, we met one little bear in a raspberry. I saw both hares and chanterelles in the woods. My grandmother also saw wolves roaming around the dachas in winter.
Karelia is a northern region. Summer is short here - only two months (and sometimes one month) - July and August. Yes, even during these two months, the sky is often covered with clouds, and they are discharged by rain. Therefore, in Karelia, each resident receives a "northern" supplement to his salary, since weather here are far from soft.
How to get there?
You can get to Karelia from Moscow by plane, since Petrozavodsk, the capital of the region, has its own airport, Besovets. It is also easy to get to Petrozavodsk or others by train or bus. major cities in Karelia and from Moscow and St. Petersburg.
By car is also not a problem, but keep in mind that the roads here, for the most part, leave much to be desired.
By plane
From the Domodedovo airport, in Moscow, planes leave for Petrozavodsk. Flights are offered by RusLine, on whose website you can easily buy tickets or. Their price differs from the tariff - from 4,185 to 13,885 RUB. In 1 hour 40 minutes you will reach Petrozavodsk.
The planes arrive at the Besovets airport, from which in just 40 minutes you can reach the city of Petrozavodsk. To do this, you can take a bus or take a taxi. A ride on the first one will cost only 40 rubles, and on the second - from 500-600 rubles. By bus you will reach the bus station in Petrozavodsk. It's almost the center of the city. There is a public transport stop nearby, from where you can go to any part of the city.
No planes fly from St. Petersburg to Petrozavodsk.
By train
Trains leave both Moscow and St. Petersburg to Petrozavodsk and other large cities in Karelia. They often go to Petrozavodsk, and there is more choice among them. You can get to other cities, but the trains have a more strict timetable. They run on certain days and at special times.
What trains, when and how long will you spend on the way to Petrozavodsk, if you choose the option by train, - all this is described in
They arrive at the Railway Station. It is located in the city center.
By bus
Regular buses to Petrozavodsk go only from St. Petersburg. A ticket costs about 1,000-1,050 RUB. They depart from the Obvodny Canal and the Northern Bus Station. You will spend eight and a half or 11 hours on the way.
In Petrozavodsk, they arrive at the bus station, which is located just 10-15 minutes from the city center.
By car
By car you can easily reach any city in Karelia. I wrote about how to do this before Petrozavodsk. Many roads in the region are of very poor quality.
And if you are going to some village or small town ok, then there will no longer be a road that will lead you, but some kind of pathetic semblance of it.
By ferry
Sea transport in Karelia has been developed since time immemorial. This is the land of lakes and rivers. And Lake Onega is the second largest body of water in Europe, after Lake Ladoga.
Most major ports in Karelia it is Kem and Belomorsk. , as a city on the shores of Lake Onega, also has its own River port.
From St. Petersburg and Moscow, cruises depart with a call to, and the city. They are not cheap - from 20,000 RUB, but this price already includes food and excursion services.
I described approximate routes in the article "How to get to Petrozavodsk?"
Prompt:
Republic of Karelia - time is now
Difference in hours:
Moscow 0
Kazan 0
Samara 1
Ekaterinburg 2
Novosibirsk 4
Vladivostok 7
When is the season? When is the best time to go?
Many tourists who are going to Karelia have the illusion that, having come here in summer, they will choose the best season because of the heat. Should disappoint them. Summer in Karelia is short and, as a rule, with alternating cold and hot days. It rains often. The forests are full of mosquitoes and other insects.
When is it worth going? It all depends on your plans and what you plan to do. Do you want to go to Valaam or? Come in early June or September. Do you want to go kayaking or rafting down our rivers? Then it is better to go at the beginning of May, since at this time the water in the rivers rises and it is a pleasure to ride along the rapids.
Going on a simple forest hike? Then June, July and August are ideal months to visit our region.
Winter is also not a bad time to come here. It is very beautiful here in winter! When the snow covers everything around. You can go skiing, skating or snowboarding.
Choose your arrival time depending on the purpose of your trip. For me, Karelia is beautiful in any season.
Republic of Karelia in summer
Summer in Karelia begins in mid-June, and even then not always. Sometimes it is late in our area and comes only at the beginning of July. And by the middle of August, the cold weather already begins.
In June, the temperature can be as low as 10 degrees Celsius. On some days, it drops below zero. At the very beginning of the month, it may also snow.
Ticks also wake up in June. This is one of those times when they are especially active. If you are going to the forest, then here's my advice: leave short shorts and tops at home. All skin should be covered. Long pants or jeans + a warm sweatshirt over a T-shirt is the best option. The sweatshirt can be removed if it gets cold, but it won't hurt at night.
In July, there are very hot days - up to +25 degrees. Sometimes there are thunderstorms with heavy rain and hail. It gets cool at night and in the evening, so it won't hurt to take a jacket or a warm jacket.
August will still delight you with warm days, but you shouldn't wait by the middle of the heat. It becomes cooler - up to +10. By the end, another period of tick activity begins again.
Republic of Karelia in autumn
At the beginning of September you will be delighted with the "Indian summer". The temperature is +15 or even +20. It lasts only a week (give or take a couple of days). Then the rains begin. The temperature is already +5 or 0 degrees. By the end of the month, the same golden age begins, which so admired Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin.
October is another magical time when, walking through a park or forest, you will see trees, the leaves of which are of a variety of colors - from golden to reddish-purple. I enjoyed this time. You can still go hiking in October, but you need to dress very warmly.
The first snow falls in November. This is the period that I hate in Karelia - snow falls, then it melts, and slush is everywhere. Next, the same cycle begins. The air temperature is 0 and drops even lower. Freezing rain with snow can also go. In the northern regions of Karelia, the weather is even worse.
Republic of Karelia in spring
In March in Karelia there is still snow all around. Winter is in full swing and is not going to go away. The air temperature is -25 degrees. It can be slightly higher or lower. The frost on the street is just as strong. Snow sometimes falls in large flakes.
In April, the snow begins to melt slowly. I hate this time in Karelia, because the streets are surrounded by mud, slush, huge puddles of water. At the beginning of the month, the temperature is -15 or -10. By the middle, it rises to 0, and by the end +5. Sometimes it can snow.
It's still cold in May. Temperature 0, and sometimes +5, +10. Snow still lies in the forests and melts very slowly. In cities, by the end of the month, it almost completely disappears. On May 1 or 9 it is still very cold. I remember that at this time I always went out for a walk in a warm jacket and even a sweater.
Republic of Karelia in winter
In December, it often snows and snowstorms. Day temperature 0 / -10. In the evening it goes down even further. At the beginning of December, the snow falls, then immediately melts. Then the cold snap begins again, which is why the puddles formed from the snow freeze, turning the streets into a real skating rink.
January is cold, white and frosty. "Frost and sun is a wonderful day." This is how you can describe this month. It is already possible to ski, as the snow cover allows it. During the day, the temperature is -25, -20 degrees. Streets are sprinkled with sand, but not everywhere. You need to walk carefully.
In February, the most severe frosts begin, when you don't even want to show your nose outside. The temperature reaches -30 degrees below zero. In some places it may be -35. It is imperative to dress warmly. I always went around at this time dressed like a cabbage. Because otherwise you will quickly freeze. On the plus side, it's good to ski or skate.
Prompt:
Republic of Karelia - monthly weather
Conditional areas. Descriptions and features
Since Karelia is the land of lakes and rivers, the main tourist areas here they are connected with water bodies - the shore of Lake Ladoga, the shore of Lake Onega, the Of the White Sea.
Ladoga and its shores
- Near the shores of Ladoga there is a place famous throughout Karelia and beyond - Ruskeala. The beauty of these places is simply breathtaking. We went there three times. The road goes by lakes and forests. There are a lot of rocks in this region. The famous Ruskeala waterfalls are located next to Ruskeala.
- The significant cities in this region can be visited. It is a small town on the border with Finland. There is a beautiful park where it is so nice to walk. This is the city of my childhood, where I spent my holidays. I know him well. It's small but cozy.
- Another interesting city is Pitkyaranta. It is crossed by the international tourist route - the Blue Road. It links Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia. It was named blue because it runs along lakes and rivers.
- Not far from the city of Lahdenpohja there is famous island Valaam, where the monastery is located. I was there once. This is a very beautiful place. And the monastery of snow-white color fits perfectly into the general landscape of the island.
- Olonets state nature reserve... This is a nature reserve where many typical representatives of the Karelian forest live. The visit is possible only by organized tourist groups.
Onega and its shores
- On the shore of Lake Onega is my hometown-. This is the capital of Karelia. Come there during the "white nights". You will be able to walk around the city day and night, in full light. There are many parks, gardens, museums and fountains in our city. Be sure to go to the embankment - there is a whole collection of gifts from the twin cities of Petrozavodsk in the form of various sculptural compositions. I wrote about them separately
- Ships depart from Petrozavodsk to one of the pearls of Lake Onega - the island. It can be safely attributed to the list of "must see" in Karelia. I have been there three times, but I would like to go there again. I wrote about Kizhi.
- The city of Kondopoga is located an hour's drive from Petrozavodsk. It is also located on the banks of Onega. Small town. It can be bypassed in 20 minutes. What's so interesting? In the city itself - nothing, but in its vicinity - yes. Reserve "Kivach" or "Marcial waters". They will be discussed below.
The shores of the White Sea
- This is a completely different region of Karelia, with its own energy. From large and interesting cities here you can bring Kem or Belomorsk. The village of Rabocheostrovsk, where the film "The Island" was filmed, is very famous. From there ships also go to the Solovetsky Islands. It is written about them in detail.
- Small villages and settlements are scattered along the entire coast of the White Sea. where the life and traditions of the peoples of the North have been preserved - the Pomors, etc. The shore there is rocky, but amazingly beautiful.
- In the vicinity of Belomorsk there are the famous petroglyphs on the Besov nose. These are drawings of ancient people that date back to the 4th-3rd millennium BC. They show how they lived and what kind of thinking our ancestors had.
What are the prices for vacations?
Prices in Petrozavodsk will not seem high in comparison with St. Petersburg or Moscow:
- A room in a hotel or a hotel will cost you from 1500 to 3000 RUB. During the tourist season, and this is summer, the prices for accommodation go up. It will be cheaper to stay at the hostel - from 500-600 RUB.
- You can rent a room or even an apartment. The first will cost you thousands of 5000 - 7000 RUB, and the second - from 10,000 - 15,000 and more. These are prices without payment utilities and the Internet (this is another plus 2000 - 3000 RUB). It is convenient to choose and book accommodation at. You can see the prices for apartments, and compare the cost of rooms in hotels by.
- To dine in a restaurant or cafe will cost you 500-600 RUB, and to drink coffee or tea on the road with buns - a maximum of 200-300.
- Excursions cost differently - from 5000 RUB. It all depends on the travel agency from which you choose them.
Major attractions. What to see
The best way to get around Karelia is by car, since not all sights can be reached by buses or trains.
Karelia has a huge number of natural attractions. Although many enterprises, factories and firms are working hard to finally destroy the nature of Karelia, it steadfastly endures all the blows of fate they inflict - deforestation, destruction of animals and fish, etc.
Top 5
I would include these places in the top 5 attractions of Karelia: Kizhi island, island, Ruskeala, national park Paanajärvi and Marcial waters with the Kivach waterfall.
Kizhi island
This is the pearl in the crown of Karelia. Green Island which attracts tourists from all over the world. The wooden churches of Kizhi have long been the hallmark of Karelia. From Petrozavodsk, "Comets" and "Meteora" are sent there - special ships that deliver tourists to the island.
It is divided into separate sectors, so it is convenient to visit it, discovering the way of life and traditions of the peoples of Karelia. It will take one day to see everything. It is written in detail about Kizhi
Valaam Island
When we swam to Valaam, I saw a white monastery building among the trees. I was there only once and not for long. But I still remember my impressions of this place. A monument of Russian architecture - the Valaam Monastery - delights everyone who has seen it. Blue domes with walls of a reddish hue against a background of gray rocks - this is what this monastery is.
Besides him, there are many other hermitages on the island that hide among trees and rocks.
Ruskeala
This is a huge mountain park, which is located on the territory of the Marble Canyon, where marble was previously mined for the construction of some historical monuments in St. Petersburg. We have been there with my family several times - about three times in the summer and once in the winter.
It is easy to find it - it is located not far from the city, so you need to move in the direction of this city, and then turn along the sign to "Ruskeala".
Near the park there is a parking lot where you can leave your car. There are souvenir shops opposite it. After purchasing your tickets, you can start the route. He walks along the lake, which is located inside the canyon. The hiking trail is marked with signs, and the steep cliffs have fences and warning signs.
The path goes through one adit and past an underground lake. After walking, you can sign up for a boat excursion. One boat with two oars is issued for 4-5 people + life jackets for all passengers. It's completely different to see Marble canyon from the water. At the same time, you will be able to inspect other adits, but also only from the water. You can't go inside.
For fans of extreme sports, there is an opportunity to go rock climbing or fly over the Marble Canyon with special equipment.
Near the park, just 20 minutes away from it, there are waterfalls called Ruskealskie. Their visit is free, but it is very interesting to walk there.
Paanajärvi National Park
If you are dreaming of a place where you can retreat with nature, then Paanajärvi Park is just what you need. Waterfalls, pristine rivers and lakes, mountains - everything can be found here. And you can drink water directly from the reservoirs! She's so clean! "There are traces of unknown animals on unknown paths." The park is home to many animals and is watched over.
The park has a camping site, sauna, etc. The park staff will be happy to help you if you need their help.
Getting there is not easy as the part of the road leading to the park is unpaved, so it can be long and difficult.
Marcial waters and waterfall "Kivach"
It is not by chance that I have combined them into one attraction. Most of the proposed excursions to the Kivachu waterfall immediately imply a trip to the Marcial waters. This is due to the fact that they are close to each other. Therefore, it is very convenient to kill two birds with one stone.
The Kivach reserve includes two waterfalls and a small park with an ecomuseum, where stuffed animals that live in the Karelian forests are presented. I was there both in summer and in winter. It is better to come in the summer, as it is very cold in winter and the paths are bad - you can slip and fall. In the summer there are beautiful landscapes. There is parking nearby.
Marcial Waters is a balneological resort, which was still appreciated by Peter the Great himself. There are springs with different water - ferrous, nitrogen, low-mineralized. Each individual source is located in its own wooden house. There is a plate with the designation of which diseases this water helps. It can be drunk in certain quantities. You can take it with you, but you cannot keep it for a long time - it can only stand for a day.
There is also a small museum near the Marcial Waters, which tells the history of the founding of this resort. There is also a sanatorium of the same name nearby, where you can undergo a course of treatment for a fee.
Beaches. Which is better
The beaches by the White Sea are pebbly or dotted with boulders. Rarely where there are beaches with soft, white sand. The White Sea is a northern sea, so it never gets hot enough to swim there. In July near the coast and a little further it will be warm, but in August or June it will be already cool.
The beaches on Lake Onega are better. Real beaches with clean white sand are more common here - you need to know the places and that's it. On the way from Petrozavodsk to Sortavala there are such beaches. Many of the others are with stones. Be careful when entering the water, as the bottom can be littered with boulders or debris.
The Ladoga coast is in many ways similar to the Onega coast.
Churches and temples. Which are worth visiting
Finland
Karelia has a lot in common with this country - from history to nature. Many of my friends or acquaintances have moved there. According to them, traveling to Finland as a tourist is good, but living there for a Russian is very boring. What to see in Finland?
I was in, and it seemed to me a very boring city. The center there seems to be copied from Peter, and you don't even feel that you are abroad. But the shopping malls there are really impressive. According to friends, it's a good idea to go to Lapland to go skiing.
Arkhangelsk region
The border with this area is in the east of the region. If Karelia is the north, then Arkhangelsk region can be called "north-north". Subzero temperatures there are even lower than in Karelia in winter.
It is to this region that the Solovetsky Islands belong, and not Karelia, as some believe. I wrote about Solovki. In general, the North is a special land, where even harsh, but fair and fair rules operate.
Murmansk region
I have been in this area twice. I also visited the city twice, which I really liked. I have memories of that area as an endless white desert (because I was there in winter).
Huge spaces, without any vegetation, lakes and hills - this is what you see when you travel outside Murmansk. We must not forget about the polar night. I observed this phenomenon - during the day it is light for only a couple of hours, and then immediately there is continuous darkness.
Leningrad region
The pearl of the region, the favorite brainchild of the Great, -. But this is not the only thing that can be seen there. I went hiking in Leningrad region... We went down in kayaks and boats along the Tikhaya river, with an exit to Ladoga.
I was very impressed! It is like the sea - it can be restless and noisy, or it can gently beat the waves against the shore. On the shores of Ladoga one can come across very beautiful places - beaches with white, soft sand. The Tikhaya River is unusually picturesque, especially from the water.
Vologodskaya Oblast
In the capital of the region - Vologda - I happened to visit sightseeing tour in the city. I was only on the Volga River embankment and on the square nearby. We were given a couple more hours to explore the temple located on it.
If you go up to the very top, then from there you will see just a delightful view of the whole city! We passed the region itself by bus, and I noticed that it was all green - in the forests.
Nearby islands
Among the islands of Karelia, the most popular are Kizhi and, which I wrote about above. There are many other small islets on Lake Onega, Ladoga and White Sea, but they are not as interesting as the first two.
Food. What to try
The national cuisine of Karelia is fully based on the most widespread and available food products here. The dishes of Karelia were influenced by the peoples living here - Vepsians, Finns, etc.
One of the typical dishes of Karelia is gates - flat cakes made from rye flour, in which mashed potatoes are wrapped. The edges are smeared with oil to soften them. This is delicious!
Karelian dishes are prepared on the basis of lake fish, mushrooms and berries. As for meat, the Karelians did not eat fresh deer or elk meat, but dried it and salted it so that it would be stored longer.
The cuisine of Karelia was also influenced by the one that is accepted in central Russia. Common, peasant dishes - "cabbage soup and porridge - our food", as they say.
For tourists in Karelia, there are decent restaurants where you can taste the national cuisine. The price tag will be 600-800 RUB for 1 person. Since tourists from Finland often come to Karelia, they try to maintain the restaurants at an appropriate level. It's clean and tidy.
You can buy groceries in stores at reasonable prices. For 1000 RUB you can buy a lot just for 1 person. It is better to buy vegetables and fruits there too. I have not seen the markets anywhere for a long time. Fruits or vegetables are still sold in shops near the roads, but it is better not to buy them there, since the prices are very high there.
Features of the mentality
The inhabitants of Karelia, as well as for any people of the North, are characterized by restraint and relative unemotionality. On the streets, people rarely smile at strangers, and express their emotions sparingly. Don't be surprised at this. People here are calm and simple. They can be both cheerful and cheerful. Only they do not show it to everyone.
Holidays
There are several national holidays in Karelia, but all of them are almost never celebrated. The same Day of the Republic of Karelia, which is officially celebrated on June 8, passes almost imperceptibly in the capital - Petrozavodsk. From the big holidays: Days of the city, which are different in each city. On May 1 and May 9, fireworks are arranged in Petrozavodsk, and on the second of them, the Immortal Regiment is held.
Security. What to watch out for
In my opinion, Karelia is a safe area. General rules apply here - do not walk at night, follow general safety rules.
In summer, if you go on river rafting, then follow the requirements of the instructors who will accompany you. This is not a simple walk, but belongs to the category - extreme sport. Therefore, do not neglect what the instructors tell you.
It is better to go to the forests of Karelia as part of a tourist group, as one or one you can get lost. Moreover, wild animals are found here - bears, deer and moose. By the way, they are under state protection, so it is forbidden to shoot them. Even if you accidentally hit a moose on the road, you will have to pay a fine for it.
Things to do
On the territory of Karelia there are many rivers with rapids of various categories of difficulty. Therefore, here perfect place for rafting, kayaking or catamarans. Travel companies offer rafting for 8,000-9,000 RUB for several days. There are also more expensive ones - it all depends on how long you want to go on such a hike.
Another option is simply to go hiking - to Vottovaara Mountain or Girvas Volcano. Travel agencies also have different offers - from 4,000 - 5,000 RUB, depending on the number of days. It is very pleasant to be alone with nature and take a break from all the benefits of civilization.
Come and visit us in winter to go skiing! Ours, of course, not, but nature is pure and pristine! Renting skis will cost you only RUB 300 per day, but what a pleasant feeling it is to hear the skis slide on the snow.
Another entertainment in winter is riding huskies - sled dogs. An exciting trip can last from 15 to 20 minutes. For a price it costs from 800 to 2000 RUB.
Shopping and shops
In the capital of Karelia - Petrozavodsk - there are many large shopping centers where they sell many brands of clothing from brands that are all over Russia: Mango, Concept Club, etc. Since it is very close, there are many shops or Second Hand stores selling clothes from Finland throughout the region. Prices - from 500 RUB.
Bars
For me, the coolest bars are in Petrozavodsk. Although in recent years, some often open and others close. The establishments are constantly changing, so I don't even dare to advise you on anything specific. Who knows - maybe in 2-3 months it will be closed?
There are bars in other cities of Karelia, but they provide some kind of standard set of services. It looks more like pubs or "drink", as in St. Petersburg.
Clubs and nightlife
About clubs, I would say the same thing that I wrote about the bars above. There are a couple of good clubs in Petrozavodsk. For example, Vkontakte - there is such a club in the city center. He steadfastly endures difficult, crisis years. I love the design there - red phone booths, old phones on the walls, and a huge SUV right next to the dance floor! Entrance fee - 200-300 RUB.
There are clubs in other Karelian cities, but they are the simplest and most artful. Something like village discos.
Extreme sports
An extreme sport is rafting or rafting on catamarans on the rivers of Karelia.
Souvenirs. What to bring as a gift
When you go to a souvenir shop or walk up to a souvenir shop, then your eyes will simply run up from the variety. What can you bring from Karelia?
Products made of Karelian birch - these can be boxes, mirrors, combs, ornaments. They smell very tasty and the quality is not bad. Prices - from 200 RUB.
Shungite products. It is believed that shungite, like a stone, has healing properties... I don't know how true this is, but by themselves, they are beautiful. They have a special, deep black color. Shungite beads are very beautiful, but they may seem heavy. Their price is from 300 RUB.
Towels, potholders, aprons with Karelian embroidery. It is easy to distinguish it from any other. It is done with red threads, and represents patterns or scenes from straight lines. There are almost no curved or arched lines. Cost - from 150 RUB.
If we talk about edible souvenirs, you can grab a couple of jars of blueberry or cloudberry jam. Blueberries, lingonberries, cloudberries - all these berries grow in abundance in the swamps of Karelia. And what kind of jam they make from them! Price - from 100 RUB.
And how not to remember here about the famous Karelian balsam! From other alcoholic, Karelian drinks, you can buy tinctures on local berries - cranberries or cloudberries. Prices - from 450-500 RUB.
How to get around the region
There is a bus service between the cities. For the most part, these are still old "loaves" or newer buses, but worn out. There are also trains, but they run on a specific schedule - sometimes 1-2 times a day or even on certain days a day.
From Petrozavodsk, excursions to Kondopoga or Sortavala are organized with a visit to the surrounding attractions. They cost from 5,000 RUB. These are bus tours.
Taxi. What features exist
You can also travel between cities by taxi, but this is not very convenient. The distances are too long, and you will have to pay for gasoline and the taxi driver's work, but also his accommodation, if necessary.
It is best to order from official services, since hitchhiking is both expensive and dangerous.
You can pay for a taxi only in cash. Cards are not accepted.
Public transport
As I wrote above, from public transport at your service - trains or buses. Train tickets cost from 1500 RUB. This is a reserved seat. There are also seats - they cost only 500 RUB. It is inconvenient to travel on the train, because it has its own schedule, which needs to be adjusted to the rest.
The buses are old. Until now, "loaves" are sent from Petrozavodsk to small neighboring towns. When you ride in them, it seems that they are now falling apart. The cost of a bus trip is cheaper - from 1000 RUB. But if you go to cities remote from Petrozavodsk, then the trip will seem very difficult to you.
Transport rental
In cities, I have not seen special offices for car rental. You can find anything you want in. Renting a car is not very practical, since the remote regions of the republic are not too safe to move around. And the roads in Karelia are bad, so you don't have to pay too much for the rent later.
Karelian roads were built, as they say, according to the principle: "How the drunk driver drove by." Turns, turns, bumps - just do not count. On such roads it is not just to drive, but to stop.
Hotels and parking lots are found, but rare. There is a decent hostel near Ruskeala. It is called "Kirkha". This is a cool hostel! Many hotels and hostels differ in that they are built from wood. These are wooden houses that are well heated even in winter. Not far from Ruskeala, in winter, there is another hostel where we stayed in winter. I remember there was a fireplace in the lobby and the room was small but very cozy. Price per room - from 1500 RUB per day.
Republic of Karelia - rest with children
With children, you can safely go to the waterfall "Kivach" or "Kizhi". You can also go to Ruskeala with them. They will definitely like it there! Riding boats, jumping from rock to rock is very exciting for them!
It is better to go to Valaam with older teenagers, since small children will be bored there, and they will remember little from this trip.
Ski vacation
You can ski in Karelia, but there are no special organized tracks in the region. In Petrozavodsk there is a place "Kurgan", where you can rent skis (from 300 RUB). There will be organized tracks. You only need to walk around the region on special skis, as there will be no trails there.
In the northwestern region of Russia there is an amazingly beautiful region - the Republic of Karelia. In addition to the natural beauty of forests, lakes, waterfalls, Karelia is famous for its ancient cities, temples and monasteries, as well as national parks.
Despite the fact that this region of northern nature does not have a warm climate, more and more people come here every year. more tourists, each of which will definitely find something interesting for themselves.
Our article will help you plan an independent trip both by your own car and by public transport from Saint-Petersburg. And if you are going to have an organized rest, then you can choose and book a suitable tour.
How to get there:
- By car: from St. Petersburg along the ring road, you need to get to the Vyborg highway (exit Vyborg / Pargolovo). Further along the Vyborg highway to the traffic police post, turn right. We move through the villages of Yukki, Luppolovo, Vertemyagi to Agalatovo. Further along the A-129 highway to Priozersk. Further along the road to Sortavala, past the turn to Kuznechnoye, along the new road to bypass Hiitola, through Kurkiyoki, Ihala, Yakkima - to the town of Lahdenpohja.
- By bus: a regular bus from the Severny Bus Station (Murino) runs daily at 7.20, 9.20, 12.20 and 18.50. The travel time is approximately 4 hours, the fare is 550 rubles.
- By train: from Ladozhsky railway station by train 350A St. Petersburg - Kostomuksha to Yakkima station. Travel time 4 hours 32 minutes, fare - 1668 rubles. Then take a regular bus to the Lahdenpohja Bus Station.
Lahdenpohja is a small town in Karelia, where several interesting buildings have survived. Unfortunately, some of them are in a sad state, for example, the Lutheran church of 1850. From the once beautiful structure, only walls are now left.
Another Lutheran church, erected in 1935, also needs serious renovation. However, everyone can go inside and climb the bell tower, which offers beautiful views.
Guests of Lahdenpohja will be interested to walk along the streets of the city, where there are old wooden Finnish houses, as well as visit the Kurkiyoki Regional Studies Center, the exhibits of which tell about the history of the Northern Ladoga area.
Sortavala and Ruskeala
How to get there:
- By car: from St. Petersburg along the ring road, you need to get to the Vyborg highway (exit Vyborg / Pargolovo). Further along the Vyborg highway to the traffic police post, turn right. We move through the villages of Yukki, Luppolovo, Vertemyagi to Agalatovo. Further along the A-129 highway to Priozersk. Then follow the signs to Sortavala.
- By bus: a regular bus from the Severny Bus Station (Murino) runs daily. The travel time is approximately 5 hours, the fare is 689 rubles.
- By train: from Ladozhsky railway station by train 350A St. Petersburg - Kostomuksha to Sortavala station. Travel time 5 hours 33 minutes.
Sortavala is a small European town, which until 1940 belonged to Finland. That is why you can find many Finnish-style wooden and stone buildings on almost every street in the city.
In addition to walking the streets of the city, it is interesting to visit the Regional Museum of Northern Ladoga in Sortavala, which contains various natural and industrial exhibits of the region, because the Sortavala region is famous for the extraction of marble.
For tourists, Sortavala is also interesting because it is from this city that ships leave for the island of Valaam.
Not far from Sortavala is the famous Marble Canyon - Ruskeala. Marble in these places has been mined since the time when the Swedes owned the territory.
Ruskeala Park invites tourists to walk along several hiking trails, go boating in quarries, and also do bungee jumping. And since April 1, 2017, a unique underground route through mines and adits has been operating.
On the way to Ruskeala Park, you should look into the ancient settlement of Paaso, the Ruskealki waterfalls, and after the park you can visit the largest zoo of cloven-hoofed animals in Europe - Zoo GreenPark.
How to get there:
- By car:
- By bus: Bus station No. 2 SPB, bus No. 965. Travel time is 8 hours 23 minutes.
- By train: from Ladozhsky railway station in St. Petersburg by train Lastochka 806CH St. Petersburg - Petrozavodsk (travel time 4 hours 55 minutes), train 012А (travel time 7 hours 40 minutes, cost from 800 rubles) or 022CH St. Petersburg - Murmansk ( travel time 6 hours 41 minutes, cost from 1241 rubles).
The capital of Karelia, the city of Petrozavodsk, is the largest city in the Republic. It has its own airport, two water stations, and a railway station. It is from here that tourists go on a trip to the island of Kizhi.
It is pleasant to walk along the streets of the city, here you can find many architectural monuments, as well as various museums. Open for history lovers National Museum Republic of Karelia. Maritime museum reminds residents and guests of Petrozavodsk about the times of Peter I, when a shipyard was founded on the territory of the city. In addition, the city has the Museum of Industrial History of Petrozavodsk at the Tractor Plant, the Postal Museum of the Republic of Karelia, as well as the Museum of Precambrian Geology, the period of ancient fossils.
Onega embankment deserves special attention, which is not only a wonderful place for walking, but also a kind of museum of contemporary art.
In Petrozavodsk there is a stone Cathedral of Alexander Nevsky, built under the guidance of an Italian architect.
Not far from the capital of Karelia is the village of Marcial Waters - the first balneological and mud resort in Russia, founded by Peter I.
How to get there:
- By car: along the M18 highway to Petrozavodsk. Then follow the signs to Kondopoga.
- By bus: Bus station No. 2 SPB, bus No. 965 to Petrozavodsk. Then change to bus # 133E Petrozavodsk-Kondopoga. Travel time 10 hours 31 minutes.
- By train: from Ladozhsky railway station in St. Petersburg by train 022CH St. Petersburg - Murmansk to Kondopoga station (travel time 8 hours 4 minutes).
Kondopoga is the second largest city in Karelia after Petrozavodsk. Excavations on the territory of the city showed that the first human settlement in these places was formed around 1495.
On the territory of the city there is a wooden Assumption Church. In addition, in Kondopoga, you can find several Carillons, compositions of bells. They make a melodic ringing every hour.
Near Kondopoga is the village of Kivach, famous for its eponymous waterfall, the highest flat waterfall in Europe. Another natural attraction of these places is Sampo Mountain, which keeps many legends and secrets. The mountain offers a beautiful view of the lake and forest.
Also in Kondopoga it is interesting to visit the oldest hydroelectric power station in Russia and the Konchezersky iron-smelting plant, built by order of Peter I.
How to get there:
- By car: along the M18 highway connecting St. Petersburg and Murmansk.
- By bus: Bus station No. 2 SPB, bus No. 965. Travel time 5 hours 15 minutes. The fare is 617 rubles.
Olonets is one of the oldest cities in Karelia and the northern part of Russia. The uniqueness of this city lies in the preserved layout of the 18th century and in an unusual landscape - Olonets is located on a flat area between two rivers.
There are many churches and cathedrals in the city. In the center of Olonets, the rivers formed a small island on which the Cathedral of the Icon of the Mother of God of Smolensk, built in 1752, is located.
It is also interesting to visit the Church of Frol and Lavra - a vivid example of wooden Novgorod architecture of the 17th century, the Church of the Holy Cross of the Church of Ingria, the Assumption Church. Not far from the city is the village of Interposelok, where you can visit the Vazheozersky Monastery, founded in the 16th century.
Connoisseurs of ethnographic collections should visit the first museum of local lore in Karelia - the Prilukin Karelian-Livvik Museum. The Olonets art gallery has also been opened in the city, where paintings by artists of Karelia are collected.
Medvezhyegorsk
How to get there:
- By car: along the M18 highway connecting St. Petersburg and Murmansk.
- By train: from the Ladozhsky railway station in St. Petersburg by train 022CH St. Petersburg - Murmansk to the Medvezhya Gora station (travel time 9 hours 56 minutes).
The history of the rather young town of Medvezhyegorsk began during the First World War with the construction of a railway connecting the Barents Sea and St. Petersburg. Later, the famous White Sea-Baltic Canal passed here. That is why the Medvezhya Gora railway station and the Museum of the History of Railway Transport are of particular interest to guests of the city.
There are many attractions in the city, and the nature in these parts of Karelia is especially beautiful and surrounded by many legends and secrets. One of these places of power is the abandoned village of Pegrema. Also, nature lovers will be interested in the Vodlozersky National Park. There are pedestrian and water hiking trails, on the way of which there are monuments of wooden architecture, parking and burial places of ancient people.
In Medvezhyegorsk there is a City Museum in the former building of the Office of the White Sea Canal of the NKVD of the USSR, where you can see various household items of the ancient population of these places, get acquainted with the exposition "A Small City in a Big War", which tells about the events of the Great Patriotic War, and also learn the history of the construction of the White Sea Canal.
Another museum dedicated to the history of the White Sea-Baltic Canal is located in the town of Povenets. It is also interesting to visit the Sandarmokh Tract and memorial cemetery victims of the construction of the White Sea Canal.
How to get there:
- By car: along the M18 highway connecting St. Petersburg and Murmansk.
- By train: from Ladozhsky railway station in St. Petersburg by train 022CH St. Petersburg - Murmansk to the station Kem (travel time 15 hours 7 minutes).
The ancient northern city of Kem is located on the banks of the river of the same name. The buildings of the city are mostly small wooden houses, which are striking examples of the traditional architecture of the North.
The Assumption Cathedral is located in the city center. The wooden church is more than 300 years old, and it was erected without a single nail. Not far from the Cathedral there is the Pomorie Museum, the exhibits of which give a complete picture of the life of the local population - the Pomors.
There are also many interesting places in the vicinity of Kem. For example, in the village of Krivoy Porog there is an impressive Krivoporozhskaya hydroelectric power station.
26 kilometers from the city of Kem in Lake Onega there are 2 unusual islands- German and Russian. The islands have preserved places of vital activity of ancient peoples.
In the village of Rabocheostrovsk on Popov Island, there is a no less interesting attraction - the scenery from the filming of P. Lungin's film "The Island": a wooden church, a sunken barge, plank piers, stone banks - all this was left after the shooting.
Entertainment
Troll park
Address: Kulikovo village, Lakhdenpohskiy district, Republic of Karelia.
Site: www.mishkina-skazka.ru
Telephone: +7 911 231 90 61
Price: 450 rubles - adults, 350 rubles - children. For locals (Karelia, Priozersky District) - a discount upon presentation of a passport.
How to get there:
From St. Petersburg by car- along the highway (A-121) St. Petersburg-Priozersk-Sortavala, go to the border of the Leningrad region with Karelia. After 200 m. Turn left to Khiytola (Kulikovo). After 4 km uphill, at the top of the hill there are pink stones on the right, and into the forest to the right. If you reach the railway crossing, then you have already passed 700 meters.
From the side of Sorted by car- along the Sortavala-SPb highway (A-121), before reaching the border of Karelia and the Leningrad region, before reaching the border of Karelia and the Leningrad region, turn right to Khiytola, then as described above.
By bus- from the metro station "Devyatkino" (Bus Station Severny) at 09:20 a bus from St. Petersburg to Petrozavodsk leaves. Buy a ticket to Kulikovo and at 12 hours 40 minutes the bus will arrive at the village. Kulikovo, which is 5 minutes from the "Troll Park".
By train- from Ladozhsky Station at 14:48 the train St. Petersburg - Kostomuksha leaves. Take a ticket to Hiitol (note, it does not run every day - check the schedule on the carrier's website).
GPS coordinates: 61 ° 11'01.0 "N 29 ° 46'51.4" E, 61.183600, 29.780945
In the enchanted Karelian forest on the ruins of a Finnish farm, a fabulous Troll Park has opened. More than 50 figures from 40 cm to 4 meters presented under open air... Mysteriously, the Trolls were caught off guard by the dawn, and they froze in unusual positions. What do we know about these mysterious creatures? Some say that Trolls steal children and kidnap beautiful girls... Others say that Trolls love wealth and hunt for gold and precious stones. Are they good or bad? Scary Scary or Cute? Can they harm us, or are the tales of the Trolls just inventions of the Scandinavian elders? Here you will find the answers to these questions.
- trail over 500 meters
- more than 50 figures (trolls, mermaids, sirins, nagas, dragons)
- mini farm with little pigs and rabbits, goats and chickens, you can pet and feed them.
- hammocks
- children's trolling (riding on a rope)
- wild musical instruments
- master classes for children and adults
- secret trail of the trolls
- interactive games (big slingshots, pillow fight on a log)
- colored crystal and treasure hunt (found crystal - as a gift)
Zoo Greenpark Karelia
Address:
Sortavala, pos. Kirkkolahti
Telephone:+7 921 622-97-93
Site: http://www.zoogreenpark.ru/
Working hours: autumn-winter from 10:00 - 18:00 (ticket offices until 17:00), from 05/01/17 from 10: 00-19: 00 (ticket offices until 18:00)
Price: 400 rubles for an adult ticket.
How to get there: Drive along Sortavala in the direction of Petrozavodsk, following the main road. After the town of Sortavala, after about 10 km there will be a large crossroads, at which you need to turn left following the sign to the village of Vyartsilya and drive under the railway bridge. In this direction, drive 31.5 km, then on the right there will be a signpost Recreation center "Black stones", turn, drive 10 km, navigate by signs, there will be three of them. Coordinates 61 ° 59 ′ 27.38 ″ N, 30 ° 46 ′ 22.97 ″ E
The Greenpark Zoo near Sortavala will not leave indifferent either adults or children. This is the largest zoo of cloven-hoofed animals in Europe, located on an area of 30 hectares on the territory of the Black Stones recreation center.
Zoo inhabitants are not only different kinds deer and bulls, ponies, roe deer, fallow deer, but also many others interesting species, including those listed in the Red Book. In addition, in the zoo you can get acquainted with ostriches, different kinds and breeds of birds, as well as foxes, raccoons and other animals.
For kids, a petting zoo is open on the territory, where there are no nets and fences, and animals can be stroked and fed. The children's zoo is home to dwarf sheep, fawns, Cameroon goats, rabbits, Shetlen ponies and other animals.
Tours are organized in the zoo, but tourists are also offered independent walks. There are route signs throughout the territory, and at each paddock there are signs with the name of the species and a brief description of its features and habitat.
Famous islands of Karelia
How to get there:
- From St. Petersburg by boat as part of excursion groups.
- From Priozersk by meteor: travel time 1 hour, cost about 2000 rubles. There and back again.
- From Sortavala by meteor - travel time 50 minutes. During the summer period, meteors go daily at 9.00, 11.00, 13.15 and 16.00 hours. Round trip fare includes walking tour: Mon-Fri and Sunday - 2300 rubles / person, Saturday - 2570 rubles / person.
- From Pitkyaranta meteors leave the pier of the recreation center "Long Coast". Travel time is 1 hour. The round trip fare includes a walking tour: Mon-Fri and Sunday - 2460 rubles / person, Saturday - 2750 rubles / person.
Valaam Island - unique place with its unique nature, climate, architecture, people. Pilgrims and tourists from all over the world come here every year to touch these holy places.
There are many spiritual places on the island. Of course, the main temple of the island is the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery, the construction of which dates back to the 14th century. On the territory of the monastery there is the Valaam church-archeological and natural museum-reserve, which tells about the history of the island.
The island itself is very green, walking along it you can visit the sketes: Konevsky Igumensky skete, Resurrection (Red) skete, Gethsemane yellow skete, Nikolsky skete, St. Vladimir skete. Another hermitage is located on the Putsaari island. A visit to the skete is possible only with the blessing of the abbot.
The Kizhi Museum-Reserve is a unique open-air museum of wooden architecture. There are about 76 buildings collected here, which will take more than one day to see.
By far the most grandiose building on the island is the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord. The temple can be seen from anywhere on the island. Like all structures of Kizhi, the temple was built without a single nail. The 22 hand-made pine domes look especially beautiful.
In addition to churches and temples, there are other buildings on the island: mills, peasant houses, baths, barns. In the interiors of these buildings, the life and traditions of the ancient northern settlements are preserved as much as possible.
The museums of the island of Kizhi have unique collections of ancient Russian icons, painting, weaving, wood carving. Also among the exhibits you can find various archival documents and drawings that give an idea of how the main buildings of the island were built and restored.
Natural attractions of Karelia
Coordinates: 61.7551484, 31.4160496
How to get there by car: take the Sortavala-Petrozavodsk highway to turn towards the Ruokoyarvi lake. Then move all the time straight along the dirt road to the sign "White Bridges Waterfall". After that, you need to walk 2-2.5 km.
Not far from the village of Leppäsilta there is a picturesque waterfall White Mosty. Its height reaches 19 meters, which is almost 2 times higher than the famous Karelian waterfall Kivach. However, due to its inaccessibility (it is necessary to walk about 2 kilometers along a forest road to the waterfall), tourists do not visit these places very often. The nature around the waterfall is very picturesque; you can often meet various forest animals here.
Coordinates: 65.762970, 31.074407
How to get there by car: along the M18 St. Petersburg – Murmansk highway to the Loukhi village, then along the highway 110 km to the west to the Pyaozersky village.
Site: http://paanajarvi-park.com/
The national park is located around the picturesque Paanajärvi Lake. Its territory is a unique natural complex consisting of mountain peaks, deep gorges, numerous lakes, swamps and rivers with noisy rapids and waterfalls. Several hiking, water-walking and snowmobile tourist routes of varying difficulty and length have been laid on the territory of the park.
Coordinates: 62 ° 29'9 "N 33 ° 40'26" E
How to get there by car: along the M18 St. Petersburg – Murmansk highway to the sign for the village of Girvas (70 km after Petrozavodsk), then at the central intersection in the village, turn left and follow for 10-15 minutes to the bridge and the hydroelectric power station.
50 km from Kondopoga in the village of Girvas, there is a unique natural object with a history of more than 3 billion years - the volcano Girvas. This is the oldest paleovolcano on earth. It is surprising that it was discovered quite recently - about 60 years ago. Now there is neither a mountain nor a crater. However, scientists have found a lot of evidence of the former activity of the volcano: in the bed of the Suna River you can see a one and a half meter magmatic "tongue", the lava field stretches for a thousand square kilometers, and the river bank is formed by frozen magma.
Coordinates: 63.106814, 32.641242
How to get there by car: Drive through Sortavala or Petrozavodsk to the village of Gimoly or Sukkozero. Further on GPS coordinates to the nearest parking lot.
The most mysterious mountain in Karelia, Vottovaara, is located near the villages of Sukkozero and Gimola. Scientists consider this place a unique geological monument, and residents of nearby villages - a concentration of evil forces. There are numerous stone structures on the mountain, the history of the creation of which is full of legends and secrets. It is believed that in ancient times there was a cult complex. Trees are also striking in their bizarre shape.
All this gives rise to the emergence of a wide variety of legends from shamans living on this mountain, to UFOs.
You can get acquainted with other equally interesting places in Karelia in our article Monasteries, petroglyphs, quarries and other attractions of Lake Onega
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The Republic of Karelia in the north of Russia is attractive for tourists with archeological, historical and cultural monuments, pristine nature and low population density. There are 13 cities and about 800 settlements and villages in the republic. The population of Karelia is 618 thousand people. About 80% are urban residents. One third of them live in the capital - Petrozavodsk.
Also to large cities and tourist centers include Kostomuksha, Kondopoga, Olonets, Sortavala. Some of them trace their history back to the Middle Ages, and cities such as Sortavala, Kem, Olonets, Petrozavodsk have the status of historical Russian cities. A well-known tourist route connecting Russia, Finland, Sweden and Norway passes through several settlements of Karelia. It's called the Blue Road.
The largest cities in Karelia
List of the largest cities in terms of population in the region.
1. Petrozavodsk
By order of Peter the Great, it was founded in 1703. The capital and the only large city in Karelia. Located on Lake Onega. It has access to 5 seas thanks to a system of canals and rivers. There are many lakes and springs within the city limits. Onega embankment with a park of modern sculptures, Kamenny Bor, the Cathedrals of the Exaltation of the Cross and Alexander Nevsky are attractive for tourists. Awarded the status of a city of military glory and a historic city.
Population - 279 thousand people.
2. Kondopoga
It is located 46 km from Petrozavodsk, on Lake Onega. It was first mentioned in 1495. In the 18th century, deposits of marble and ore were discovered. A hydroelectric power station was built in 1929. City status was granted in 1938. In 2001, the Ice Palace was opened - the only one in Karelia. In the vicinity there is the Kivach waterfall and the Marcial Waters resort. The city's attractions include two carillons, bells 18 and 23.
Population - 30 thousand people.
3. Kostomuksha
The city is 30 km from the Russian-Finnish border. The history dates back to the 70s of the last century, when the development of a new ore deposit and the construction of a GOK began. In the status of a city - since 1983. The main attractions are the Kostomuksha Nature Reserve, the Kalevalsky National Park, ethnic villages famous for the art of rune singing. Festivals of chamber and rock music, author's songs are held annually in the city.
Population - 29 thousand people.
4. Segezha
A city on the river of the same name, near Vygozero. The name translates as "light, clean". It was founded in 1914 as a small railway station on the Murmansk road. In 1943 it was awarded the status of a city. Since the 1930s, a plant producing paper containers has been operating in Segezha - a city-forming enterprise. Tourists are attracted by the waterfall "Voitskiy padun", an archeological monument - the village of Nadvoitsy, the Museum Center.
Population - 26 thousand people.
5. Sortavala
It was founded by the Swedes in 1632, although a Karelian settlement existed on this place as far back as the 12th century. Until 1918 - Serdobol. Until 1940 - part of Finland. Situated on Lake Ladoga... The only city in Karelia with preserved ancient buildings. In the list of historic cities. Of interest are the Ladoga Lake Museum, the modern gallery of Kronid Gogolev, a woodcarver, and the Ruskeala Natural Park. The island of Valaam is 40 km away.
Population - 18 thousand people.
6. Medvezhyegorsk
A city on the coast of Lake Onega. It was created in 1916 as a settlement at the railway under construction. Until 1938 it was called Bear Mountain. The railway station is still called that way. In the 1930s, it housed the construction management of the White Sea Canal, and 3 prison camps were created. The Sandarmokh tract, the former place of execution of prisoners, is 15 km away. The region is famous for shungite deposits.
Population - 14 thousand people.
7. Kem
The name translates as “ Big river". It was founded in the XIV century. It received the status of a city in 1785. Located on the Kem River. It is attractive for tourists by the Kemsky Skerries - a group of rocky sea islands. Among the valuable architectural monuments are the Assumption Cathedral, erected 3 centuries ago from wood, and the Annunciation Cathedral from the beginning of the last century. The Pomorie Museum has been opened in the building of the former Treasury.
Population - 11 thousand people.
8. Pitkyaranta
Until 1940, it was part of Finland. In the same year, it was awarded the status of a city. The name translates as "Long Coast". Located on Lake Ladoga. Founded in the 15th century. It developed rapidly in the 19th century after the discovery of ore deposits. It is famous for the beauty of the Ladoga skerries, the Uksinskaya ozovaya ridge, the Yukankoski waterfall - the highest in Karelia. Fragments of the Mannerheim line and the local history museum are of interest.
Population - 10 thousand people.
9. Belomorsk
It is located on the White Sea coast, at the mouth of the Vyg River. The first mentions are in 1419. In 1938 it was awarded the status of a city. Large railway junction and sea port... Part of the White Sea-Baltic Canal. Water tourism is popular along the Shuya, Okhta, and Suma rivers. The main attraction is the Neolithic petroglyphs. There are many monuments and memorials of the Soviet period in the city. The Solovetsky Islands are located nearby.
Population - 9600 people.
10. Suojärvi
It was founded in the 16th century. Located on the coast of the lake of the same name. The name translated from Finnish means "Swamp Lake". Until 1940 it was part of Finland. Railway junction. In the vicinity there is the Talvojärvi nature reserve with an extensive network of lakes and bogs. Historic sites include the building of the railway station at Kaipa station and the building of the House of Creativity built in the 1920s.
Population - 8900 people.
Karelia and its regions have been attracting tourists from all over the world for a long time. And tourists are attracted not only by the most beautiful landscapes and architectural monuments, but also by the fact that the tourist season in the Karelian region lasts all year round. Both an active tourist and a lover of a quiet family vacation will find entertainment here.
Most big cities Karelia, which attracts tourists, is Petrozavodsk and Kondopoga.
Capital of the Republic Karelia is a city Petrozavodsk, located on the shores of the Petrozavodsk Bay of Onega Lake. On the territory of the city there are also lakes: Dennoe, Lamba, and Chetyrekhvorstnoe. The capital is home to the bulk of the inhabitants of this region, representatives of different nationalities: Russians, Vepsians and Karelians. The beginning of Petrozavodsk dates back to the time of Peter I, when, by his decree, the construction of an arms factory was started on the banks of the Onega.
It is from Petrozavodsk that many tourist routes the edges. There are a lot of operating museums in this historical city: the Museum of Fine Arts, the Museum-Reserve located on the island of Kizhi, the State Museum of Local Lore, which has been operating since 1871 in an old building - the provincial chancellery, you can see the oldest collection of icons in Karelia, you can visit a private art gallery"House of the Doll" or Puppet Theater.
Near the city there is the Kivach reserve with a flat waterfall of 11 meters and the unique balneological and mud resort Marcial Waters, founded by Peter I. At present, it has the status of a museum-reserve. There is a ski center for children, equestrian and water sports centers in the capital. There are a lot of churches, parks and squares in Petrozavodsk. The most famous throughout Russia is Petrovsky Park.
Relatively young industrial city Kondopoga is located not far from the capital on the shore of the Kondopogozhskaya Bay of Lake Onega. The first settlements in this place were in the 15th century, but Kondopoga acquired the status of a city only in 1938, after deposits of marble were discovered here, which were sent for the construction of St. Petersburg.
The main pride of the city is the carillon bells brought from Holland. These belfries can be controlled by a computer, so all kinds of melodies are played. The most notable 14-meter arch carillon was erected near the Ice Palace. It has 23 bells and weighs 500 kg.
An old celebrity Kondopoga is also a modest church of the Assumption Holy Mother of God, whose height is 42 meters. This "swan song" of wooden architecture was built in the era of the completion of Russian wooden architecture. The church has an iconostasis and is decorated with paintings.
Tourists are attracted by the Kondopoga Museum of Local Lore, which has a collection of more than 2000 items. Here are collected various items of Karelian life, documents about the history of the city, paintings and drawings by masters of large cities of Karelia, archaeological excavations and much more.
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