Nature of Karelia, petroglyphs and overnight stay on the shore of Lake Onega. Beautiful places in Karelia

The nature of Karelia fascinates everyone who has ever visited these places. Amazing beauty northern nature, wild rivers with steep rapids, pristine purity of forests, fresh air filled with the intoxicating aroma of pine needles, stunningly beautiful sunsets and the richness of the world of flora and fauna have long attracted tourists and travelers to Karelia.

Karelia is located in the north-west of the Russian Federation. Most of the republic is occupied coniferous forests, famous for their tall pines and slender spruce trees, juniper thickets and an abundance of berries.

There are more than 60 thousand lakes in Karelia, the most famous of which are Onega and Ladoga. Many rivers and streams run through the republic, but the rivers are mostly short. The longest Karelian river, the Kem, is only 360 km long. Karelia has its own swamps and waterfalls.

It is the reservoirs in combination with the Karelian forests that create that amazing climate that enchants everyone. It is no coincidence that Karelia is called the “lungs of Europe”. By the way, it was here, not far from Petrozavodsk, that the first Russian resort was created, founded in 1719 by decree of Peter I.

Many artists and poets admired Karelia. Kivach Falls is one of the most famous attractions of Karelia, Marcial Waters is the first Russian resort, founded in 1719 by decree of Peter I, Kizhi and Valaam are among the most mysterious places in Russia, and the mysterious petroglyphs of the White Sea still haunt archaeologists and historians .

Flora of Karelia

The features of the Karelian flora are due, first of all, to geographical location republics. The main part of the plant world was formed during the post-glacial period. IN northern regions and at the heights of the mountains grow plants characteristic of the tundra: mosses, lichens, dwarf spruces and birches.

But most of the republic is occupied by coniferous forests. Closer to the north they grow pine forests. Approximately in the Segozero area there is a border between northern and middle taiga forests. Here begins the forest strip, where spruce and pine trees grow mixed. The closer to the southern outskirts of Karelia, the more spruce forests, which are interspersed with mixed ones.

Of the conifers, the most common are Norway spruce and Scots pine. Finnish pines are often found in the west. Birch, alder, aspen, linden, elm and maple trees grow in mixed forest thickets.

The lower layer of forests consists of numerous shrubs. Where pine trees grow, there are fewer bushes. The closer to the south, the more thickets of lingonberries and cloudberries, blueberries and blueberries, wild rosemary and swamp world appear.

Near reservoirs, the soil is covered with gray mosses and lichens. Heather and moss are easy to find here.

And Karelian forests are the kingdom of mushrooms. Boletuses and boletuses are the most collected. Porcini mushrooms, boletus mushrooms, saffron milk caps and chanterelles are often found in the southern regions.

Fauna of Karelia

The fauna of Karelia is rich and diverse. All the animals that traditionally live in the taiga are found here. But another feature of the Karelian Republic is that there are many bodies of water. This means that there are much more representatives of the North Sea representatives of the animal kingdom than in any other corner of Russia.

From large mammals in the Karelian forests you can find lynx, brown bear, wolf and badger. Numerous white hares have long become the desired prey of local hunters. Quite a few beavers and squirrels. Rivers and lakes are favored by muskrats, otters, martens and European minks. And in the White Sea and Lake Onega there are seals.

The fauna of the southern regions is somewhat different from the northern ones. In the south live moose and wild boars, raccoon dogs and Canadian minks.

The world of birds is also diverse. The passerine family is best represented. In the north there is a lot of upland game: wood grouse, black grouse, hazel grouse and white partridge. Of the birds of prey, it is worth noting hawks, numerous owls, golden eagles and harriers.

Waterfowl of Karelia are its pride. Ducks and loons settle on the lakes; the sea coast is favored by gulls and eiders, which are valued for their fluff. And waders settle in the swamps.

Karelian fish can be divided into three categories:

Migratory species (whitefish, salmon, salmon, smelt);

Lake-river (pike, roach, perch, burbot, ruffe, in the south - pike perch, grayling and river trout);

And marine (herring, cod and flounder).

The abundance of water bodies also led to a large number of reptiles and insects. Of all the snakes that are found in Karelia, the most dangerous is common viper. And from the end of May to the beginning of September, hikes in the forest and picnics are overshadowed by clouds of mosquitoes, horseflies and midges. In the south, by the way, ticks pose a great danger, especially in May-June.

Climate in Karelia

Most of Karelia is located in a zone of temperate continental climate with marine elements. Although winter lasts a long time, severe frosts are rare here. Winters are generally mild, with plenty of snow. Spring, with all its delights in the form of melting snow, blossoming trees and increasing daylight hours occurs only in mid-April. But until the end of May there remains a possibility of frost returning.

Summer in Karelia is short and cool. In most of the territory, for real summer weather is established only by mid-July. Temperatures rarely rise above +20ºC. But already at the end of August it feels autumn mood weather: cloudy skies, heavy rains and cold winds.

The most unstable and unpredictable weather prevails on the sea coast and in the area of ​​Lakes Ladoga and Onega. Frequent cyclones come from the west. The weather is most often cloudy, with constant winds and plenty of precipitation. The highest cloudiness in the entire republic is observed on the White Sea coast.

The Republic of Karelia is located in Northern Europe, on the Russian-Finnish border. It is called the center of wooden architecture, a pantry of mushrooms and the most mysterious region in Russia. A lot has been done here beautiful photos, but they are not able to convey the full range of feelings that these places evoke in the traveler. Fabulous taiga forests, clear lakes, pristine nature, an abundance of historical and architectural monuments - all this must be seen with your own eyes.

Mount Vottovaara

In the central part of the republic, 20 kilometers southeast of the village of Sukkozero, there is a curious place - Mount Vottovaara, the highest peak of the Western Karelian Upland (417 meters).

Local residents call this place of power Death Mountain and consider it a portal to the other world - an anomalous effect on electrical equipment, nature, and the human body has been noted here. The dead silence, as well as the depressing sight of trees bent, broken by the wind and blackened after a fire, add to the ominous feeling.

In 1978, a complex of ancient cult seids - rolled stones-boulders, located in groups - was discovered on the mountain. In this case, huge blocks lie on smaller ones, creating the impression of stones on legs.

Also on Vottovaara there is a mysterious stairway to heaven - 13 steps carved into the rock, ending in an abyss.

Mount Kivakkatunturi

Located in the Paanajärvi National Park, in the Louhi region. The height of the mountain is 499 meters, and the name is translated from Finnish as “stone woman” - at the top there are many seids, one of which resembles the head of an old woman.

The climb to Kivakka is quite easy and takes 1-2 hours - in addition to the trodden path, there are wooden beams laid down for the convenience of tourists. When climbing, you can see around the landscape features characteristic of these places - hanging swamps and high-altitude lakes lying on the slopes of the mountain and indicating the water-bearing nature of the rock.

From the open top you can clearly see the beauty of Paanajärvi Park. This place becomes especially picturesque with the arrival of autumn, when the plants color the mountain in yellow-purple colors.

Mountain Park "Ruskeala" (Marble Canyon)

The basis of this tourist complex in the Sortavala region of Karelia is a former marble quarry. The blocks mined here were used for cladding palaces and cathedrals in St. Petersburg and other Russian cities. Now these quarries have turned into man-made marble bowls filled with pure water and cut through by a system of shafts and adits, reminiscent of mysterious caves and grottoes.

The mountain park is 450 meters long and about 100 meters wide. It is equipped for tourists - pedestrian paths have been cleared, observation platforms have been created, there is parking for cars, and boat rentals. It is from the water that the most impressive views of the surrounding rock formations, up to 20 meters high, open up. You can also take a boat into the marble grotto and admire the bizarre reflection of the water in the translucent arches.

Marble Canyon Caves

No less interesting are the mines and adits of the quarry, which can be visited on a guided tour. Most of these caves were flooded, but there are also dry ones - the higher the air temperature on the surface, the more deadly cold it feels here.

For its unique acoustics, one of these grottoes is called Musical. However, the greatest interest is caused by the Proval cave, in the roof of which a hole measuring 20 by 30 meters has formed. Another name for the Gap is the Hall of the Mountain King or the Ice Cave; it is best to go down into it in the cold season, when the 30-meter thickness of water in the grotto is hidden under ice. The drops flowing from the vaults formed numerous ice stalactites and stalagmites, the beauty of which is emphasized by lighting.

Ruskeala waterfalls (Akhvenkoski waterfalls)

Not far from the village of Ruskeala, where the Tokhmajoki River divides into several branches, there are 4 small waterfalls. Falling from rocky ledges 3-4 meters high, the kvass-colored water foams and rumbles.

The area around is landscaped, there are wooden gazebos, a cafe, and a souvenir shop. Once upon a time, the films “The Dawns Here Are Quiet” and “The Dark World” were filmed in these places; now kayaking (kayak) is carried out along the Tokhmajoki River, overcoming waterfalls.

Paanajärvi National Park

This corner wildlife is located in the north-west of Karelia, in its most elevated part and occupies about 103 thousand hectares. The park owes its name to the unique Lake Paanajärvi, which arose in rock faults; the boundaries of the park run along the line of this lake and the Olanga River.

The landscapes here are picturesque and varied - mountain peaks alternate with gorges, turbulent rivers and noisy waterfalls coexist with the calm surface of lakes.

The park contains the highest point of the republic - Mount Norunen. Here you can also see the Kivakkakoski waterfall - one of the largest and most powerful in Karelia.

Daylight hours in winter are very short - the northern lights can be seen from the end of August. But in summer the sun sets only for 2-3 hours - the time of white nights comes.

National Park "Kalevalsky"

This park was created in the far west of Karelia in 2006 to preserve one of the last tracts of old-growth pine forests in Europe. On an area of ​​74 thousand hectares, pine trees occupy about 70%; the age of many trees reaches 400-450 years.

For thousands of years, these places have been the constant habitat of various species of animals and plants; the pristine beauty of the forests still fascinates today. In the park you can see many large rivers with picturesque waterfalls and deep, clean lakes.

There are also several villages located here - Voknavolok is considered the cradle of Karelian and Finnish cultures, where the songs of the Kalevala epic were born, many historical and cultural monuments have been preserved in Sudnozero, and Panozero is considered one of the oldest settlements in the area.

Archipelago Kuzova

It is a group of 16 small islands in the White Sea, near the city of Kem. In order to preserve the unique landscape and diversity of flora and fauna, the Kuzova state landscape reserve was created here. Now there are special places for visiting tourists on 3 islands - Russian Kuzov, German Kuzov and Chernetsky.

In addition to the beauty of the surrounding nature, the archipelago attracts with the abundance of seids, labyrinths, ancient sites of people from the Mesolithic and Bronze Ages, and religious buildings. The islands are shrouded in many legends and are still a mystery to historians and archaeologists.

Girvas volcano crater

In the small village of Girvas, Kondopoga region of Karelia, there is the world's oldest preserved volcanic crater, its age is about 2.5 billion years.

Previously, the full-flowing Suna River flowed here, but after the construction of a dam for a hydroelectric power station, its bed was drained and the water was sent along a different path, and now petrified lava flows are clearly visible in the half-empty canyon. The crater of the volcano itself does not protrude above the ground, but is a depression filled with water.

Kivach waterfall

Translated from Finnish, the name of the waterfall means “powerful”, “swift”. It is located on the Suna River and is the fourth largest flat waterfall in Europe. Kivach consists of four rapids with a total height of 10.7 meters, of which the vertical drop of water is 8 meters.

Due to the construction of a hydroelectric power station in this area, there was a large outflow of water, which somewhat reduced the attractiveness of the waterfall. The best time The best time to visit this attraction is spring, when Suna gains strength, feeding on melt waters. In 1931, a State Government was created around the waterfall. nature reserve"Kivach".

White Bridges Waterfall (Yukankoski)

This waterfall, located on the Kulismayoki River in the Pitkäranta region of the republic, is one of the highest and most beautiful in Karelia and reaches about 18 meters in height. In summer, the water in the river warms up well, which allows you to swim in it and stand under the falling streams of water.

In 1999, the hydrological natural monument “White Bridges” was established on the territory adjacent to the waterfall, the area of ​​which is 87.9 hectares. Due to its location in the forest, far from the highway, Yukankoski is not very popular among travelers.

Marcial waters

This name is given to a balneological and mud resort, as well as a village in the Kondopoga region. The resort was founded by Peter I in 1719 and is the first in Russia.

There are 4 wells here, from which flow mineral water, their main feature is the amount of iron, greater than in other sources in Russia and abroad. Each source has a different concentration of iron, and the waters also contain calcium, magnesium, manganese, and sodium.

Sapropelic silt sulfide mud extracted from the bottom of Lake Gabozero also has healing properties.

The resort is visited for the treatment of diseases of the blood, cardiovascular, digestive, genitourinary and musculoskeletal systems, respiratory organs. Here, according to the design of Peter I, the Church of St. Apostle Peter was built, and opposite the temple is the building of the local history museum “Marcial Waters”.

Valaam Island

The name of the island translates as " high ground“- it is the largest of the islands of the Valaam archipelago, located in the north of Lake Ladoga.

Every year, Valaam attracts thousands of tourists - its rocky territory, 9.6 kilometers long and 7.8 kilometers wide, is covered with coniferous forests, large and small inland lakes, and cut by numerous channels, bays and bays.

Here is the village of Valaam and a monument of Russian architecture - Valaam Stavropegial monastery with many hermitages (buildings located in hard-to-reach places).

Island of Good Spirits

This island, located on Voronye Lake, is not marked on any geographical map, for which it is often called Karelian Shambhala. You can get to it while rafting on the Okhta River and only with the help of tips from the guides.

The place is a traveler's paradise and is famous for its convenient parking areas, excellent fishing and picturesque surroundings. However, what attracts people most is the abundance of wooden crafts on the island - a real open-air museum created by the hands of tourists. Some products date back to the 70s of the last century. According to legend, this place is inhabited by spirits who guard the island and inhabit every craft, bringing good luck to its maker.

Solovetsky Islands

This archipelago, which includes more than 100 islands, occupies 347 square kilometers and is the largest in the White Sea. It is located at the entrance to Onega Bay and is included in a specially protected protected area.

Here is the Solovetsky Monastery with many churches, the Maritime Museum, an airport, a botanical garden, ancient stone labyrinths and a whole system of canals that you can navigate by boat.

The White Sea beluga whale lives near Cape Beluzhy - White whale. Beautiful nature and the abundance of historical and architectural monuments attract many excursion groups to these places.

Lake Pisan

This reservoir is located in the central part of the Republic of Karelia, and is of tectonic origin - the lake was formed as a result of a fault earth's crust, as clearly evidenced by the symmetry of its banks. The name of the lake translates as “longest” - occupying up to 200 meters in width, it extends 5 kilometers in length. In some places the depth exceeds 200 meters.

On the northern shore of the reservoir there are parking areas, convenient places for fishing and launching boats. As you move south, the banks become higher, forming a gorge with rocks rising 100 meters above the water. Virgin nature, silence and the absence of nearby settlements make this place especially attractive for lovers of solitude.

White Sea

This inland sea, located in the north of the European part of Russia, belongs to the North Sea basin. Arctic Ocean and has an area of ​​90 square kilometers. Due to the cold water even in summer (up to 20 degrees), there is not too much water on the White Sea large flow tourists, and nature in many places remains untouched.

On islands sea ​​coast Blueberries and mushrooms grow abundantly; in the water you can see jellyfish, fish, seals and beluga whales. The seabed after low tide is a unique sight - it is filled with a variety of living organisms.

Lake Ladoga (Ladoga)

Located in Karelia and Leningrad region and is the largest freshwater body of water in Europe - the length of the lake is 219, and its greatest width is 138 kilometers. The northern shores are high and rocky, with many bays, peninsulas, large and small islands; the southern coast is shallow, with an abundance of rocky reefs.

Along Ladoga there is a large number of settlements, ports and recreation centers, numerous ships glide along the water surface. Numerous historical finds from different eras have been found at the bottom of the lake; even now these places are popular among diving enthusiasts. Mirages and brontides also occur here - a rumble coming from the lake, accompanied by the seething of water or weak vibrations of the earth.

Lake Onega (Onego)

This lake is called younger sister Great Lake Ladoga - it is the second largest freshwater body of water in Europe. There are more than 1,500 islands on Onego territory different sizes, dozens of ports and marinas are located on the shores; the Onega Sailing Regatta is held annually.

The water in the lake is clean and transparent thanks to the shungite mineral that literally lines the bottom. In addition to fish, there is a bivalve mollusk that grows nacreous pearl balls in its shell.

Taiga forests rich in mushrooms and berries, the charm of northern nature, a huge number of historical monuments, architecture, and folk art attract many tourists to these places.

Onega petroglyphs

On the eastern coast of Lake Onega in the Pudozh region of Karelia there are ancient rock paintings dating back to the 4th-3rd millennia BC. They are collected in 24 separate groups and cover an area of ​​20 kilometers; more than half of the petroglyphs are located on capes Peri Nos, Besov Nos and Kladovets.

In total, about 1,100 images and signs were carved into the rocks, mainly drawings of birds (especially swans), forest animals, people and boats. The dimensions of some petroglyphs reach 4 meters.

Among the mystical figures is the mysterious triad of “demon, catfish (burbot) and otter (lizard).” To neutralize this evil spirits, around the 15th century, the monks of the Murom Holy Dormition Monastery knocked out a Christian cross on top of the image.

Kinerma village

The name of this ancient Karelian village, lost in the Pryazha region, translates as “precious land”. The settlement, founded more than 400 years ago, has up to two dozen houses, half of which are architectural monuments. The buildings are located in a circle, in the center of which is the chapel of the Smolensk Mother of God and the old cemetery.

More recently, the fate of the village was in question; only 1 person lived here permanently. However, thanks to the efforts of local residents, it was possible to restore the buildings, improve everyday life, and attract tourists. For the preservation of its historical appearance, Kinerma is recognized as a complex monument of wooden folk architecture of the Karelian-Livviks. She also won the competition “The most beautiful village in Russia.”

Kizhi Museum-Reserve

The main part of this unique open-air museum is located on Kizhi Island in Lake Onega. The heart of the collection is the Kizhi Pogost ensemble, consisting of the 22-domed wooden Church of the Transfiguration, the smaller Church of the Intercession and the bell tower that unites them; the complex is now included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The museum is constantly replenished with chapels, houses, icons, household items, outbuildings brought from the surrounding Karelian, Russian and Vepsian villages; it also presents a number of historical objects of Zaonezhye and Petrozavodsk.

Assumption Church

Temple of the Assumption Holy Mother of God is located in the city of Kondopoga, on the shores of Lake Onega. The church was built in 1774 in memory of the peasants who died during the Kizhi uprising (1769-1771).

With a height of 42 meters, it became the tallest wooden church in Karelia. The interior decoration has survived to this day and, with its modesty, contrasts with the rich modern churches.

A visit to the Assumption Church is not included in the list of obligatory routes; there is no invasion of tourists here, but newlyweds get married and children are baptized by local residents. It’s worth coming here for the surrounding beauty and special atmosphere of this place.

Karelia is a picturesque corner of the North-Western part, our vast country. This unique region is represented by numerous architectural monuments And amazing nature. A large number of lakes, rivers and reservoirs attract guests to Karelia who want to see with their own eyes the advantages of the republic. That is why the tourist season here lasts throughout the year.

Traveling to Karelia is always an exceptional pleasure. This land of lakes and forests, rivers and waterfalls, unique natural monuments has always attracted and continues to attract curious travelers.

The Republic of Karelia belongs to the Northwestern District of the Russian Federation, it has its own flag, coat of arms and anthem. The first mention of the republic is found in the chronicles of 1143.
The region is famous throughout the world for its stormy rivers, steep slopes and virgin forests. An international tourist route, better known as the Blue Road, passes through the territory of the republic. It connects such countries as Finland, Norway, Russia and Sweden.
The pride of Karelia is its capital - the city of Petrozavodsk. Its embankment is lined with crimson-colored Shoksha quartzite and decorated with various sculptures in the avant-garde style.

Flora and fauna of Karelia

The territory of the republic is home to a large number of animals and birds listed in the Red Book, these include the flying squirrel, seal and brown long-eared bat. Among the 285 bird species, 36 are on the verge of extinction.
The most common inhabitants of Karelian reservoirs are muskrats, European and Canadian beavers. In addition, in the forests of Karelia you can meet brown bear, leopard, wolf, wild boar and badger.
Flora of Karelia - present natural wealth countries. The pine forests growing here are rich in unique trees, whose age is about 500 years. In some regions you can see deciduous forests where they grow: birch, aspen and alder.
Since ancient times, Karelia has been considered the land of berries. All sorts of berries grow here: blueberries, raspberries, cranberries, currants, strawberries, lingonberries, stoneberries, cloudberries and others.

The best places in Karelia

The most famous place in the region is the flat Kivach waterfall, which in size is second only to the Rhine Falls located in Switzerland.
The Kivach waterfall is located on the Suna River in the reserve of the same name, 50 kilometers from the capital of Karelia towards Murmansk. It is popular both among tourists and local residents, and is especially loved by newlyweds. What makes it beautiful are the black mountains and seething foamy streams of water, as well as the surrounding wonderful nature of protected places.
Lakes Onega and Ladoga, rivers Okhta, Kalga, Pisto, Kem and Shuya. This is just the beginning of a large list of amazing reservoirs in Karelia.

Karelian sights

The sights of the republic include:

• Ruskeala marble quarries, located near the city of Sortavala.
• The island of Valaam, where monasteries, monasteries and landscape architecture flaunt.
• The Martialnye Vody resort is considered the oldest in Russia. It was opened by order of Peter the Great.
• The city of Kondopoga, on whose territory the Ice Palace and the Palace of Arts are located.
• Karelian Puppet Theater.
• Kizhi Island, where the Museum of Wooden Architecture is located. The decoration of the museum is the main church, which belongs to the UNESCO monuments.

Tourism

Tourism is well developed in Karelia, so the largest cities of the republic, such as Kem, Belomorsk, Sortavala, Pudozh and Kondopoga, warmly welcome guests from all over the world. The region offers recreation in children's camps, diving, rafting, various holiday tours, boat trips, unforgettable extreme safaris on ATVs and recreation in tourist complexes. Holidays in Karelia are a pleasure for every taste, as married couples, and supporters active rest and fishing.

Accommodation for tourists in Karelia and Petrozavodsk

Currently, hotels and sanatoriums that previously existed on the territory of Karelia have ceased to cope with the influx of tourists attracted by excellent fishing, both summer and winter, the opportunity to hunt and engage in a wide variety of sports. In this regard, new accommodation facilities, which belong to the category of mini-hotels, began to open throughout the republic and in its capital.
Mini-hotels in Petrozavodsk have become very popular in Lately, since accommodation in them is not expensive, and the comfort fully meets all the requirements of a modern traveler. This type of hotel and boarding house is an opportunity to simultaneously receive quality services and home comfort. Having settled in one of them, tourists enjoy going on excursions around the city and its surroundings. The capital of Karelia guarantees real relaxation European level.
Mini-hotels in Petrozavodsk appeared relatively recently, but they are developing in last years very active. By staying in such a hotel, you will not overpay for a room, but at the same time you will be provided with all the necessary amenities.

The unique nature of the Republic of Karelia

In the vicinity of Petrozavodsk you can admire huge, picturesque boulders, rocks, stunning in their beauty, low-growing northern trees, including Karelian pine, which creates a special microclimate in the capital. Everyone who travels as part of organized groups or with personal guides you will learn a lot of interesting things about the features of the unique Karelian flora and fauna, you will see low-growing, dwarf trees that grow miraculously among stones where there is practically no soil.

What else is Karelia attractive for tourists?

Nature. Karelia is famous for its lakes and forests, beautiful landscapes and clean air. Here everyone can find entertainment: hunting in winter and summer, exciting jeep trips, bicycle tours, river rafting, just walking and hiking.
Karelia is famous for fishing, which attracts many fishermen to this region. There are as many lakes in the republic as in Finland. Yamoozero is considered the most visited. In the lakes of Karelia, rich in fish, you can find pike, roach, perch and other fish. Fishing is so popular that fishing excursions are even specially organized.
Tourists are also interested in water routes along the Shuya, Vodla, Chirka-Kemi, and Okhta rivers. Many tourists enjoy a leisurely journey through the quarries, overgrown with bushes and trees. These places are incredibly beautiful.

Karelia is a region rich in cultural, historical and natural monuments and objects, of which there are about 4,000 in total.
The world-famous Orthodox monasteries, which are located on the islands of Valaam, Kizhi and the Solovetsky Islands, are extremely popular, especially among foreign tourists. They are included in the list World Heritage UNESCO. Tourists are also attracted unique combination architecture of Rus', monastic culture and northern landscapes.
Karelian petroglyphs are also known, which are from 5 to 6 thousand years old. They are also called the “Stone Chronicle”. These are some of the most ancient images known to scientists. Many centuries ago, these drawings were carved into the rocks by ancient people. Here you can see images of birds, animals, people, as well as some symbols. Karelian petroglyphs differ from other petroglyphs in that they are located on horizontal rocks, that is, they are underfoot. You can see petroglyphs in the eastern part of Lake Onega (on capes and islands).
There are many more interesting things here, for example, every year in the second half of July Karelia attracts many guests. At this time, the Onega Sailing Regatta of cruising yachts is held on Lake Onega. Foreign athletes also take part in it. Start and finish of the championship in Petrozavodsk.
The famous Marcial Waters resort, founded in 1719, is also located here. It is famous for its sulphide-silt mud and mineral water, which are considered the richest in the world in iron content.
Lovers of active recreation and nature come to Karelia to visit the reserve and near the Kivach waterfall, admire the beauty of the Kostomuksha reserve, climb Mount Vottovaara, look at the Kuzova archipelago, sail to the Solovetsky Islands, and walk through the Paanajärvi, Vodlozersky and Kalevalsky national parks. Beautiful clean Onega and Ladoga lakes attract tourists all year round. And how can we not remember the famous Karelian birch, which is the pride of the republic...

Karelia for history and culture lovers

Monasteries, cathedrals and temples, their beautiful architecture and thirst for spiritual enlightenment attract tourists to Petrozavodsk and other cities of Karelia, to chapels in the villages of Vasilyevo, Voronii Ostrov, Volkostrov, Chuinavolok, Tambitsy, Korba, Kotchura, Vorobyi, Ust-Yandoma, Novinka, churches in Megreg, Kondopoga, Virma, Lychny Island, Sennaya Guba, Kem, Pryazha.
Those who are interested in history and love their native culture will find interesting and educational excursions to the Kalevala Museum of Rune Singers, the Karelian State Museum of Local Lore, the Maritime Museum "Polar Odysseus", the Museum fine arts, Precambrian geology, postal and puppet. Syamozerye and Kindasovo are unique towns, rich in historical monuments and spiritual culture of the local population.
The Valaam Monastery stands on the island of the same name, one of the 50 islands of the Lake Ladoga archipelago. This is the most famous monastery in northern Russia. Scientists have not been able to establish when it was built, but it is assumed that it was the first half of the 14th century. The patron saint of Valaam is Apostle Andrew the First-Called. And this is no coincidence, because according to legend, he visited this place and christened it with a stone cross. Now the Vallam Monastery is considered the monastery of Orthodoxy Northern Russia, and there is a museum in it, which is very popular among guests of Karelia.
On the island of Kizhi in the north of Lake Onega, a unique museum of ancient wooden architecture was created, exhibits of which were collected throughout Karelia. The central place in it is occupied by the Transfiguration and Intercession churches of the 18th century, which are built exclusively from wood, without a single nail. Every year more and more Russian and foreign tourists come to Kizhi. The museum has been recognized as a World Heritage Site and included in the UNESCO list.

The history of the Solovetsky Islands is closely connected with Karelia. They are located in the White Sea, bordering the Arkhangelsk region. Since the 15th century, there has been an Orthodox monastery here, which became the center of spirituality in Russia, playing an important role during the period of exploration of the North. It consists of several pre-Christian white stone temples, canals and ancient botanical garden. The Solovetsky Kremlin was built from wild boulders and is a powerful fortress.
Even the most sophisticated tourists can find entertainment in Karelia at any time of the year. Connect with nature, pray in Orthodox monasteries, see new places - all this is Karelia.

- an unforgettable land of natural beauty. Here, moss-covered swamps coexist with virgin forests, mountains and high hills give way to magnificent flat landscapes, the calm surface of lakes gives way to turbulent river flows and a rocky seashore. But it’s not only the landscape that amazes with its diversity. Extraordinarily rich in plant and animal world Karelia - many of its representatives are listed in the Red Book.

About 85% of the territory of Karelia is covered with forests - mainly coniferous and small-leaved, where spruce, pine, as well as birch, aspen, and alder grow. But the undoubted leader among trees is the hardy Karelian pine, which occupies 2/3 of the area of ​​all forest land. Growing up in a harsh climate, according to local residents, it has healing properties - it feeds energy, relieves irritation and fatigue. The Tsar's tree, Karelian birch, also grows in local forests. Small and inconspicuous in appearance, it has gained worldwide fame thanks to its unusually hard and durable wood, with its bizarre pattern reminiscent of marble.

The fauna of Karelia is typical of taiga and tundra. It contains 63 species of mammals, 285 species of birds and about 60 various types fish The forests are inhabited by roe deer, elk, and reindeer. There are bears, lynxes and wolves. Canadian beavers, muskrats and raccoon dogs, once brought to Karelia, have taken root well in local conditions. The most common birds in Karelia are hazel grouse, black grouse, partridges, wood grouse, and predators such as owls, hawks, and marsh harriers. Fish of the salmon and carp families are found in rivers and lakes.

Karelia is also a paradise for berry and mushroom pickers. Forests and swamps are rich in raspberries, lingonberries, blueberries and strawberries. Karelia is famous throughout the world for its abundance of cranberries and cloudberries. And it’s not worth talking much about mushrooms - even in the leanest year, no one will leave the Karelian forests without a basket of selected boletus mushrooms.

Watch the video: Berries of Karelia, collection of wild berries.

Karelia is one of the most amazing places our country. Travelers have always found, are and will continue to find inspiration here. We present 37 photographs of enchanting Karelia and 22 reasons why you should definitely go here.

First, some general information. The republic is located in the northwestern part of Russia. In the northeast it is washed by the White Sea. The main relief of the republic is a hilly plain, turning in the west into the Western Karelian Upland. The glacier, retreating to the north, greatly changed the topography of Karelia - moraine ridges, eskers, kamas, and lake basins appeared in abundance.

A few words about the weather

The weather in Karelia is changeable. The climate itself is quite mild, with big amount precipitation varies on the territory of Karelia from marine to temperate continental. Winter is snowy, cool, but usually without severe frosts. Summer is short and warm, also with frequent rains.

The fauna of Karelia is incredibly rich: 285 species of birds live here, 36 of which are listed in the Red Book of Karelia. The most common birds are finches. Upland game can be found - hazel grouse, black grouse, ptarmigan, wood grouse. Every spring to Karelia from warm countries the geese are flying. Distributed predator birds: owls, hawks, golden eagles, marsh harriers. Among the waterfowl: ducks, loons, waders, many seagulls and the largest of the diving ducks of Karelia - the common eider, valuable for its warm down.

The most famous Karelian nature reserves: “Kivach”, “Kostomuksha”, and the Kem-Ludsky section of the Kandalaksha Nature Reserve. Ecological routes are laid out on their territories, and nature museums operate.

20 reasons to go to Karelia

And now - in more detail. Why do you need to go to Karelia and what to see there?

Visit the Solovetsky Monastery

Spaso-Preobrazhensky Solovetsky Monastery is located on the Solovetsky Islands. It arose in the 1420s–1430s, rebuilt in stone by the labors of St. Philip (Kolycheva). In 1669–1676 the monastery was besieged by tsarist troops as one of the centers of resistance to the Nikonian transformations. Under Soviet rule, the country's first special purpose camp operated on the territory of the monastery. A significant part of the prisoners were so-called “political” - clergy, officers white movement, Socialist Revolutionaries, intelligentsia. Monastic life was resumed on October 25, 1990. In 1992, the complex of monuments of the Solovetsky Museum-Reserve was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, and in 1995 - in the State Code of Especially Valuable Objects of Cultural Heritage of the Peoples of the Russian Federation.

Visit Valaam Monastery

Valaam Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery is located on the islands of the Valaam archipelago. After the October Revolution, Valaam became part of the newly formed Finland, thanks to which it was preserved, and the monastery turned out to be a church of a national minority (the main religion of Finland is Lutheranism). Beginning in 1925, services began to be held in Finnish, and the islands themselves were thoroughly fortified in military engineering terms.

The Finnish Orthodox Church, new calendar, adopted the Western Paschal, forcing the Valaam Monastery to switch from Julian to Gregorian calendar. Transition to the 1920s a new style was the cause of the destruction of the unity of Valaam. During the Soviet-Finnish war of 1939–1940, the monastery fell into the combat zone, and the monks, who had by that time accepted Finnish citizenship, left the islands in early February 1940, taking with them all the most valuable things (including the original icon of Valaam Mother of God, other shrines and bells). They settled in the town of Heinävesi in Finland, in the Papinniemi estate and founded the New Valaam Monastery. At the end of the Great Patriotic War the monastery was annexed for 12 years (1945–1957) to the Moscow Patriarchate, but territorially remained subordinate to the Finnish Orthodox Church. In 1977, services in Church Slavonic ceased, and in 1981 the last Russian monk died. Now the monastery continues to operate as a Finnish Orthodox monastery and receives more than 100 thousand visitors a year.

Visit the Kizhi Museum-Reserve

The Kizhi Museum-Reserve is one of the largest open-air museums in Russia, a unique historical, cultural and natural complex, a world-famous architectural ensemble, located on the Kizhi island of Lake Onega. The ensemble consists of two churches and a bell tower of the 18th–19th centuries, surrounded by a single fence - a reconstruction of traditional churchyard fences.

According to one legend, the Church of the Transfiguration was built with one ax (initially without nails) by the carpenter Nestor. The carpenter threw the ax into the lake so that no one could repeat the same majestic building.

In 1990, the Kizhi Pogost was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List; in 1993, by decree of the President of the Russian Federation, the architectural collection of the open-air museum was included in the State Code of Particularly Valuable Objects of Cultural Heritage of the Peoples of the Russian Federation.

See Lake Ladoga

This is the largest lake in Europe: its area is 18,400 square meters. km. The lake is an inexhaustible source of drinking water for St. Petersburg. Maximum length is about 200 km, width - 130 km. The greatest depth is 230 m.

Lake Ladoga is rich in islands (up to 500 islands with an area of ​​about 300 sq. km), almost all of them are located in the north of the lake. Among them, the Valaam Islands stand out in size, with coastal slopes steeply descending into the water. The other largest islands are Konevets, Vossinansaari, Heinäsensaari, Mantinsaari, Lunkulansaari. In the southern half of the lake there are very few islands and their sizes are small: Zelentsy (in Shlisselburg Bay), Ptinov (in Volkhov Bay).

Admire the Kivach waterfall

Kivach, the highest flat waterfall in Europe, is a geomorphological natural monument of federal rank. The waterfall is the second largest flat waterfall in Europe (after the Rhine). The water falls in four ledges from a height of 10.7 m. The waterfall arose as a result of the waters of the Suna River cutting through the thickness of loose Quaternary sediments to the roof of the diabase ridge. Falling from the cliff, the stream deepened the river bed in the thickness of lake loams and sandy loams below the ridge. Kivach gained fame since the time of the first Karelian governor G.R. Derzhavin. In 1931, a reserve of the same name was formed around the waterfall. A visit to the reserve and waterfall is included in almost all excursions in Karelia.

See a pagan Sami sanctuary

Pagan sanctuaries of the Sami are often mentioned in the folklore of Karelia. The largest sanctuaries, consisting of a variety of stone cult complexes, are located on the islands of Russian Kuzov, German Kuzov in the Kuzov archipelago in the Kem Gulf, on Mount Vottovaara and Mount Kivakka in North Karelia. On about. Oleshin in the Kuzov archipelago in the Kem Bay and on Cape Krasny near the borders with Murmansk region cult stones form “stone labyrinths”. There are also stone sanctuaries in South Karelia: on the islands of Radkolye and Oroshostrov, near the village of Sennaya Guba. Here the stone cult masonry has the form of horseshoes, rings, and less often - spirals.

See the oldest resort in Russia

“Marcial Waters” is the first Russian resort, founded by Peter I in 1719 on the basis of ferruginous mineral springs. It is located 54 km north of Petrozavodsk. Peter I repeatedly came here for treatment with his family and court nobility. By the time the king first arrived, three wooden palaces had been built for royal family and a large building with 20 rooms with an earthen hall, connected by a corridor to the springs. Since then, ferruginous springs have been called “marcial waters” in honor of Mars, the god of war and iron.

Find withThe oldest marble scraps in Russia (XVIII century)

They are near the village White Mountain. Tivdian marble was discovered in the middle of the 18th century by the merchant Martyanov. From that time on, its industrial development began - marble breaking in the villages of Tivdiya and Belaya Gora. The deposits of Tivdi marble turned out to be necessary for the construction of St. Petersburg.

“Dreamcatchers”, northern Karelia, Engozero. Author - Alexey Kharitonov

SeeThe world's only crimson quartzite quarry

In the Prionezhsky region there are several deposits of quartzites, among which the most interesting are the outcrops of these rocks near the village of Shoksha. Outcrops of red and crimson quartzites and old quarries have been declared a natural monument.

Shokshin quartzites are a strong and durable decorative facing stone. The extraction of Shoksha quartzites began in the 18th century - they were then used to decorate the palaces of St. Petersburg. Particularly prized were the single-colored dark crimson Shoksha quartzites, which were called “Shoksha porphyry.” Red quartzites were also used to make paving stones and crushed stone.

Later, Shoksha quartzites were used in the design of Napoleon’s sarcophagus in the Invalides in Paris, the Lenin Mausoleum and the Monument to the Unknown Soldier in Moscow, the memorial on Mamayev Kurgan in Volgograd, the Victory Monument in St. Petersburg, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Petrozavodsk, and many other objects.

Take a walk through Europe's largest national park

This is exactly what Vodlozersky Park is considered to be. The territory of the park is a unique area for Europe untouched nature so large. Within its borders is the vast drainage basin of one of the largest lakes in Northern Europe - Vodlozero. The park preserves the unique natural complexes of the central European taiga: clean lakes and rivers, natural coniferous forests and swamps inhabited by the indigenous inhabitants of the taiga, including rare and endangered species. This region is dominated by three elements - water, wild forest and swamp swamp.

The Vodlozersky National Park was created in 1991 by a decision of the Russian Government to preserve the natural, historical and cultural heritage of Vodlozero, and became the first protected site of this level in the European North of Russia. In 2001, by decision of UNESCO, it was given the status biosphere reserve, the first in the Russian national park system. The park is a federal environmental, scientific and environmental educational institution, which has a large staff of various specialists and state inspectors for the protection of the territory.

Explore Europe's largest collection of rock art

More than 3,000 images dating back to the 4th millennium BC can be seen in the north, in the Belomorsky region, in the lower reaches of the Vyg River, 8 km above its confluence with the Soroka Bay of the White Sea, and in the southeast of the republic - in the Pudozhsky region , on the eastern coast of Lake Onega, 18 km south of the village of Shalsky.

Karelian petroglyphs - carved on the surface of coastal rocks composed of granites, images of animals, birds, fish, boats, people and strange signs - are world famous. “Stone Chronicle”, “Stone Age Bible” - this is how researchers characterize them. The designs were punched out with quartz hammers to a depth of 2 - 3 mm.

The archaeological complex “White Sea Petroglyphs” includes drawings on rocks and more than 30 discovered sites ancient man, dating from the period III - II millennium BC. Petroglyphs of the White Sea on the islands of Shoyrukshin, Erpin Pudas, Bolshoi Malinin - these are over 2 thousand individual figures, occupying 4th place in Northern Europe in terms of the number of images. They are located on an area of ​​almost 2 sq. km. The closest cluster of petroglyphs to Belomorsk are Besovy Sledki and Erpin Pudas.

The largest and most interesting clusters of engravings are located 1.5 km northwest of Besovy Sledki - on Staraya and Novaya Zalavruga. They are among the world masterpieces of hunting monumental rock art of the primitive era. Many of the images are well preserved.

Conquer the highest mountain in Karelia -Nuorunen

The height of Mount Nuorunen is 576 meters above sea level, which makes it the highest point of the Maanselkä ridge within the Republic of Karelia and the highest point of the Republic of Karelia. The mountain is located in the northwestern part of the Louhi region, on the territory National Park"Paanajärvi", in its southernmost part.

Hunt for the Northern Lights

In order to see one of the most enchanting natural phenomena, it is not at all necessary to go to distant Norway. The Northern Lights can be seen in Karelia. Very often people go to the village of Nilmoguba to see the northern lights, located on the shores of the White Sea in the Loukhsky region of Karelia in the Arctic Circle. Green flashes in Karelia can be seen already at the end of August. For example, in the summer of 2013, the northern lights were seen in August due to a magnetic storm by residents of Petrozavodsk, the Solovetsky Islands and the village of Yushkozero.

See the longest river in the republic

Kem - largest river Karelia. Its length is 358 km. Starting at the border with Finland, the river crosses the whole of Karelia in a latitudinal direction and flows into the White Sea. The Kem originates from Lake Nizhneye Kuytto, but hydrologists consider it the actual beginning of the river. Kurzhma, which flows into the Upper Kuytto. Along their route, Kurzhma-Kem is connected by 19 lakes, constituting up to 40% of their total length.

The Kem River has a steep fall. Previously, there were up to 35 rapids and waterfalls. Among the latter, the Uzhma waterfall stood out, the height of which was 11.8 m with a very high water flow; the Vochazh and Pad-Yuma waterfalls were also famous. With the construction of the Kem hydroelectric power station cascade, the river was regulated, turning into a chain of reservoirs, rapids and waterfalls disappeared.

At the mouth of the river lies the historical city of Kem.

Fish on the largest inland reservoir in Karelia - Vygozero

Vygozero is located in the middle part of Karelia. The lake covers an area of ​​1159 square meters. km. In terms of area, it ranks third among the lakes of Karelia (after Lakes Ladoga and Onega). The reservoir is elongated in a general direction from northwest to southeast, divided into separate parts and large bays. Number of islands 529 s with total area 126 sq. km. Vygozero is a shallow reservoir with complex structure bottom relief. The average depth is 6.2 m, greatest depth about 18 m. The Vygozersky Reservoir is home to 11 species of fish: lake salmon, vendace, whitefish, pike, roach, ide, bream, pike perch, perch, ruffe and burbot. Main commercial fish: bream, vendace, pike, burbot, perch and roach.

Village on the banks of the Megrega River, Olonetsky district, Karelia. Author - Denis Garipov

Admire the deepest river in Karelia

The Vodla River, which flows into Lake Onega from the east, is considered the deepest in Karelia. Its width reaches 60 meters. It has more than 20 rapids, the most famous of which is a wide and beautiful waterfall Padun, 2 m high. Padun represented a significant obstacle to the navigation of boats on the ancient trade route from Veliky Novgorod through Lake Onega, the Vodla River, the Onega River to the White Sea. For this reason, it became known earlier than other Karelian waterfalls.

South of the mouth of Vodla there is the famous Cape Besov Nos, which gave its name large group widely known Onega petroglyphs, and 30 km upstream is the historical city of Pudozh.

Visit the most sparsely populated region of the republic

This is considered the Loukhsky district. According to statistics, per sq.m. there is only 1 person.

Loukhsky municipal district is the northernmost, largest district of the Republic of Karelia. Its area is 22.5 thousand sq. km. In the North it borders with the Murmansk region, adjacent to the Arctic Circle, in the south - with the Kalevalsky and Kemsky regions. In the west and north-west, the border of the region coincides with the Russian-Finnish state border. In the east, the border of the region runs along White Sea, coastline is 200 km.

According to the 2002 census, 55.7% of the Vepsians of Karelia already lived in Petrozavodsk. In 1994, the Vepsian national volost was formed on part of the territory of the Prionezhsky region of Karelia (abolished from 01/01/2006). The population of the Vepsian national volost lives in 14 populated areas, united into three national Vepsian village councils. The former center of the volost - the village of Sheltozero - is located 84 km from Petrozavodsk. Currently, on the territory of Karelia there are three Vepsian rural settlements: Sheltozerskoye, Ryboretskoye and Shokshinskoye.

Touch the most valuable tree

The well-known Karelian birch is famous for the amazing beauty of its wood. In 1984, 4 Karelian birch reserves were established in Karelia: “Utuki” in the Kondopoga region (with an area of ​​5.7 hectares), “Kokkorevo” and “Tsarevichi” in the Prionezhsky region (with a total area of ​​28.9 hectares), “Anisimovshchina” in Medvezhyegorsk area (area 6.1 hectares). In Karelia, there are about three thousand trees in natural populations. The Republic has approved a regional target program for the conservation of the gene pool of Karelian birch and the reproduction of its resources. .

Look for the rarest animal of Karelia - the garden dormouse

Sonya belongs to the rodents of the Dormouse family. Small (body length 115 - 150 mm, tail 95 - 120 mm), rather brightly colored arboreal animal. The top of the body is brownish-brown, the sides are somewhat lighter than the back, the throat, chest, belly, paws and ears are white, with a black stripe running from the eye to the ear. The tail is sharply tricolored on top. Long hair at the end of the tail they are combed on the sides and form a wide flat brush. The muzzle is sharp, “mouse-like”, with very long sensory hairs sticking out to the sides. The paws are “tree-type” - tenacious, with highly developed calluses on the soles and sharp, curved claws. Garden dormouse is a very rare animal in Karelia. It was found only in the Ladoga region: in the vicinity of Sortavala, Impilahti and Kiryavalahti. Contrary to its name, this rodent usually does not live in gardens, but settles in deciduous and mixed forests with dense and varied undergrowth. Active mainly at dusk and at night. The spherical nest is made in hollows, stumps or simply in dense branches of a tree.

"Bonsai in Karelia". Engozero, small island, Karelia. Author - Alexey Kharitonov

See the largest swamp in Karelia - Yupyauzhshuo

The area of ​​the swamp is approximately 200 sq km, which is much larger than the area of ​​Petrozavodsk. It is located in the Kalevala region, in the lower reaches of the Kepa River, northeast of where it flows into the Kem River.

Take a walk around Petrozavodsk

Finally, don't forget to see the capital of Karelia - Petrozavodsk. The city is located on the shores of Petrozavodsk Bay of Lake Onega. Distance from Moscow - 924 km, from St. Petersburg - 412 km. Population - 271.1 thousand inhabitants (2009), area - 135 sq. km. The city of Petrozavodsk, like St. Petersburg, was founded by Peter the Great in 1703. During Northern War A weapons manufacturing plant was built with Sweden. The settlement near the plant on the Lososinka River was called Petrovskaya Sloboda. In 1777, Catherine II, by her decree, awarded the settlement the status of a city. Petrozavodsk was a place of exile for many politicians. The city, destroyed during the Great Patriotic War, was rebuilt in the post-war years.

In the center of the historical part of the city of Petrozavodsk you can see a fragment of the building of 1774: the former Round Square, surrounded by 2 semicircular administrative buildings with wings in the style of classicism. In 1873, a bronze monument to Peter I was unveiled on Round Square, which was later moved to the embankment, which is one of the main attractions of Petrozavodsk. The embankment is decorated with red porphyry. It contains the compositions “Wave of Friendship”, “Mermaid” and “Starry Sky”. Very interesting are the monuments-gifts from the sister cities “Fishermen”, “Tübingen Panel” and “Tree of Wishes”. On Lenin Square (formerly Round Square) there is the Karelian State Museum of Local Lore. Its exhibitions tell about the history and culture of the region. The Museum of Fine Arts presents works by both modern and masters of the 18th-20th centuries.

Among the temples of the city revered by residents are Cathedral in the name of Alexander Nevsky - an architectural monument of the 19th century, the Exaltation of the Cross and Catherine churches. In the area of ​​the village of Solomennoe, ancient churches of the 18th century have been preserved - Sretenskaya and Petropavlovskaya. In the city of Petrozavodsk there is one of oldest parks Russia - Petrovsky Garden, now it is a Park of Culture and Recreation, in which a monument to the Petrovsky Plant is erected.

Wheel of history. Monument to Peter I in Petrozavodsk in the rays rising sun. Author - Mikhail Meshkov

Tourists are attracted by a place near the village of Solomennoye, called the Devil's Chair tract. This is a stone platform on the edge of the Great Vaara mountain, shaped like a chair. The height of the seat of this “chair” is 80 meters, the backrest is 113 meters. From here it opens beautiful view to the lake and the city. The Kivach nature reserve is interesting, where you can look at the waterfalls. 44 km from Petrozavodsk there is the so-called “Svyatozero necklace”, where ancient chapels, churches, and houses have been preserved. The place is named after an island with a “holy” grove of fir trees. You can try the miraculous Marcial water, named after the god Mars, by visiting the Marcial Waters resort. The resort was founded by Peter I in 1719. It is a museum-reserve. For sports lovers there is a Ski Complex and an Equestrian Center.

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