Karelia is the main city. Karelia

“For a long time Karelia will dream, They will dream from these spiky fir-trees eyelashes Above the blue eyes of the lakes.” Gin V.

Whenever I left or came home, to Karelia, this song accompanied me. It is always included 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 small, forest lakes are called here), swamps, rivers, waterfalls, rocks.

I grew up among the forests of Karelia, so I'm not afraid to go there. They are family to me. Wild animals are also found here: wolves, chanterelles, hares and bears. It is the bear that is drawn on the coat of arms of the Republic of Karelia, as the personification of its nature. When we went for berries, we met one little bear cub in a raspberry. I saw both hares and chanterelles in the forests. My grandmother also saw wolves that prowl around the dachas in winter.

Karelia is a northern region. Summer here is short - only two months (and sometimes one month) - July and August. Yes, and in these two months the sky is often covered with clouds, and they are discharged with rain. Therefore, in Karelia, every resident receives a “northern” supplement to his salary, since the weather conditions here are far from mild.

How to get there?

Karelia can be reached from Moscow by plane, as Petrozavodsk, the capital of the region, has its own Besovets airport. By train or bus, it is also easy to get to Petrozavodsk or other major cities in Karelia from both 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

Airplanes to Petrozavodsk depart from the Domodedovo airport in Moscow. 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.

Planes arrive at the Besovets airport, from which you can drive to the city of Petrozavodsk in just 40 minutes. To do this, you can take a bus or use a taxi. A trip 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. Nearby there is a public transport stop, from where you can go to any part of the city.

Planes do not fly from Petersburg to Petrozavodsk.

By train

Trains depart from both Moscow and St. Petersburg to Petrozavodsk and other major cities in Karelia. They often go to Petrozavodsk and there is more choice among them. You can get to other cities, but the trains there have a stricter timetable. They run on certain days and at special times.

What trains, when and how much time on the way you will spend 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 run only from St. Petersburg. A ticket costs about 1,000-1,050 RUB. They depart from the Obvodny Canal and the Northern Bus Station. On the way you will spend eight and a half or 11 hours.

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, then it will not be the road that will lead you there, but some pathetic semblance of it.

By ferry

Maritime 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.

The largest ports in Karelia are 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 calls to, and the city. They are not cheap - from 20,000 RUB, but this price already includes meals and excursion services.

I described approximate routes in the article “How to get to Petrozavodsk?”

Clue:

Republic of Karelia - the time is now

Hour difference:

Moscow 0

Kazan 0

Samara 1

Yekaterinburg 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 when they come here in the 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 Valaam or? Come early June or September. Do you want to go kayaking or rafting on our rivers? Then it is better to go in early May, because at this time the water in the rivers rises and it is a pleasure to ride along the rapids.

Going on a simple hike in the woods? Then June, July and August are the ideal months to visit our region.

Winter is also not the worst time to come here. It's very beautiful here in winter! When the snow covers everything around. You can ski, skate or snowboard.

Choose the time of arrival 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 mid-August, the cold weather begins.

In June, the temperature can be as low as 10 degrees Celsius. 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 must be covered. Long pants or jeans + a warm sweatshirt over a T-shirt is the best option. The sweatshirt can be removed if it's cold, but it won't hurt at night.

In July, very hot days are issued - up to +25 degrees. Sometimes there are thunderstorms with heavy rain and hail. It gets cool at night and in the evening, so a jacket or a warm sweater will not hurt to grab.

August will still delight you with warm days, but by the middle of the heat you should not wait. It becomes cooler - up to +10. Towards the end, another period of tick activity begins again.

Republic of Karelia in autumn

In early September, you will be pleased with the "Indian summer". The temperature keeps +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, that very golden time begins, which so admired Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin.

October is still that magical time when, walking through a park or forest, you will see trees, the leaves of which are of various colors - from gold to reddish-purple. I liked this time. You can still go hiking in October, but you need to dress very warmly already.

The first snow falls in November. This is the period that I can not stand in Karelia - snow falls, then it melts, and slush is everywhere. Then the same cycle begins. The air temperature is 0 and drops even lower. There may be freezing rain and snow. In the northern regions of Karelia, the weather is even worse.

Republic of Karelia in spring

In March, there is still snow all around in Karelia. Winter is in full swing and is not going away. Air temperature -25 degrees. It may 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 full of 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 towards the end +5. Sometimes it may 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 I always went out for a walk at this time in a warm jacket and even a sweater.

Republic of Karelia in winter

In December, snow often falls and a blizzard sweeps. Daytime temperature 0/-10. In the evening it still goes down. In early December, the snow either falls or melts immediately. Then the cold starts again, causing the puddles formed from the snow to freeze, turning the streets into a real skating rink.

January is cold, white and frosty. "Frost and sun - a wonderful day." This is how this month can be described. It is already possible to ski, as the snow cover allows it. During the day the temperature is -25, -20 degrees. The streets are covered 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 on the street. The temperature reaches -30 degrees below zero. In some places it can be -35. It is imperative to dress warmly. I always went around at this time dressed like a cabbage. Because otherwise you will freeze quickly. Pros: Great for skiing or ice skating.

Clue:

Republic of Karelia - monthly weather

conditional areas. Descriptions and features

Since Karelia is a land of lakes and rivers, the main tourist areas here are connected with water bodies - the shore of Lake Ladoga, the shore of Lake Onega, the shores 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 past lakes and forests. There are a lot of rocks in this region. Near the "Ruskeala" are the famous Ruskeala waterfalls.

Of the significant cities in this region, you can visit. This is a small town on the border with Finland. There is a beautiful park where it is so nice to take a walk. This is the city of my childhood, where I spent my holidays. He is well known to me. It is small but cozy.

Another interesting city is Pitkyaranta. The international tourist route, the Blue Road, passes through it. It connects Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia. It was named blue because it runs along lakes and rivers.

Not far from the city of Lahdenpokhya is the famous island of Valaam, where the monastery is located. Once I was there. This is a very beautiful place. And the snow-white monastery fits perfectly into the general landscape of the island.

The Olonets State Nature Reserve is also located here. This is a reserve, on the territory of which many typical representatives of the Karelian forest live. The visit is only possible for organized tourist groups.

Onega and its banks

On the shores of Lake Onega is my hometown -. This is the capital of Karelia. Come there during the "white nights". You can 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 sister 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 “must see” list in Karelia. I have been there three times, but I would like to go there again. I wrote about Kizhi.

From Petrozavodsk, an hour's drive is the city of Kondopoga. It is also located on the banks of the Onega. Small town. You can drive around it in 20 minutes. What's interesting here? In the city itself - nothing, but in its environs - yes. Reserve "Kivach" or "Marcial Waters". They will be discussed below.

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 is very famous, where the film "The Island" was filmed. Ships depart from there to the Solovetsky Islands. They have been written about 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 - Pomors, etc. have been preserved. The coast there is rocky, but surprisingly beautiful.

In the vicinity of Belomorsk there are famous petroglyphs on the Besovy Nos. 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 holidays?

Prices in Petrozavodsk will not seem high compared to St. Petersburg or Moscow:

A room in a hotel or inn will cost you from 1500 to 3000 RUB. During the tourist season, and this summer, accommodation prices rise. It will be cheaper to stay in a hostel - from 500-600 RUB.
You can rent a room or even an apartment. The first one will cost you 5000 - 7000 thousand RUB, and the second - from 10,000 - 15,000 and more. These are prices without paying utilities and the Internet (this is another plus of 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.

Dine in a restaurant or cafe will cost 500-600 RUB, and 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.

Main attractions. What to see

The best way to get around Karelia is by car, as not all attractions can be reached by bus or train.

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 endures all the blows of fate they inflict - deforestation, destruction of animals and fish, etc.

Top 5

In the top 5 attractions of Karelia, I would include these places: Kizhi Island, the island, Ruskeala, the Paanajärvi National Park and the Marcial Waters with the Kivach waterfall.

Kizhi Island

This is a pearl in the crown of Karelia. A green island that attracts tourists from all over the world. The wooden churches of Kizhi have long been the hallmark of Karelia. From Petrozavodsk, “Comets” and “Meteors” depart there - special ships that deliver tourists to the island.

It is divided into separate sectors, so it is convenient to visit it, discovering the life and traditions of the peoples of Karelia. It will take one day to see everything. About Kizhi written in detail

Valaam Island

When we sailed to Valaam, I saw the white building of the monastery among the trees. I've only been there once and not for long. But I still remember my impressions of this place. The monument of Russian architecture - the Valaam Monastery - delights everyone who has seen it. Blue domes with reddish walls against the background of gray rocks - that's what this monastery is.

In addition to him, there are many other sketes 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 summer and once in winter.

It is easy to find it - it is located near the city, so you need to move towards this city, and then turn towards the sign to Ruskeala.

Near the park there is a parking lot where you can leave your car. Opposite it are souvenir shops. After you buy tickets, you can start the route. He goes along the lake, which is located inside the canyon. The hiking trail is marked with signs, and there are fences and warning signs at the steep cliffs.

The path passes through one adit and past an underground lake. After walking, you can sign up for a boat tour. For 4-5 people, one boat with two oars is issued + life jackets for all passengers. It is completely different to see the Marble Canyon from the water. You will be able to see other adits at the same time, but also only from the water. You cannot go inside.

For fans of extreme sports, there is an opportunity to go rock climbing or fly over the Marble Canyon on special equipment.

Near the park, just a 20-minute drive from it, there are waterfalls called Ruskeala. Their visit is free, but it is very interesting to walk there.

Paanajärvi National Park

If you dream of a place where you can retire with nature, then Paanajärvi Park is just what you need. Waterfalls, cleanest rivers and lakes, mountains - everything can be found here. And you can drink water directly from the reservoirs! She is so pure! “There are traces of unknown animals on unknown paths.” The park is home to many animals and they are watched.

The park has a camping site, a sauna, etc. The park staff will be happy to help you if you need their help.

Getting there is not easy, as part of the road leading to the park is unpaved, so it can be long and difficult.

Marcial waters and Kivach waterfall

I did not accidentally combine them into one attraction. Most of the proposed excursions to the waterfall "Kivachu" immediately implies 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 eco-museum, where stuffed animals that live in the Karelian forests are presented. I have been there both summer and winter. It is better to come in the summer, because in winter it is very cold there, and the paths are made bad - you can slip and fall. In summer, beautiful landscapes open up there. 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 - ferruginous, nitric, slightly mineralized. Each individual source is located in its own wooden house. There is a sign with the designation of what diseases this water helps. It can be drunk in certain quantities. You can take it with you, but you can’t keep it for a long time - it can only stand for a day.

There is also a small museum near Marcial Waters, which tells the story of the foundation of this resort. Nearby there is also a sanatorium of the same name, where you can undergo a course of treatment for a fee.

Beaches. Which is better

The beaches near the White Sea are pebbly or strewn with boulders. Rarely where you will find beaches with soft, white sand. The White Sea is a northern sea, so it never warms up enough to swim safely there. In July near the coast and a little further it will be warm, but in August or June it is already cool.

The beaches on Lake Onega are better. Real beaches with pure 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. When entering the water, be careful, as the bottom can be littered with boulders or debris.

The coast of Ladoga is in many ways similar to the coast of Onega.

Churches and temples. Which are worth a visit

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 person 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 runs in the east of the region. If Karelia is the north, then the Arkhangelsk region can be called "north-north". Minus temperatures there are even lower than in Karelia in winter.

It is to this region that the Solovetsky Islands belong, and not to Karelia, as some believe. I wrote about Solovki In general, the North is a special land where even harsh, but honest and fair rules apply.

Murmansk region

I have been to this area twice. I 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 - that's what you see when you leave 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 solid darkness.

Leningrad region

The pearl of the region, the favorite brainchild of the Great, -. But that's not the only thing to see there. I went hiking in the Leningrad region. We descended both in kayaks and in boats along the Tikhaya River, with access 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 banks of Ladoga there are very beautiful places - beaches with white, soft sand. The Quiet River is unusually picturesque, especially from the water.

Vologodskaya Oblast

In the capital of the region - Vologda - I had a chance to go on a sightseeing tour of the city. I was only on the embankment of the Volga River and on the square nearby. We were given a couple more hours to inspect the temple located on it.

If you climb to the very top, then from there a simply amazing view of the whole city opens! 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 islands on Lake Onega, Ladoga and the White Sea, but they are not as interesting as the first two.

Food. What to try

The national cuisine of Karelia relies entirely on the most common and affordable 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 kalitki - cakes made from rye flour, in which mashed potatoes are wrapped. The edges are smeared with oil to make them softer. 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 could be stored longer.

The cuisine of Karelia was also influenced by the one adopted in central Russia. Ordinary, peasant dishes - "shchi and porridge - our food," as they say.

For tourists in Karelia, there are decent restaurants where you can try national cuisine. The price tag will be 600-800 RUB for 1 person. Since tourists from Finland often come to Karelia, restaurants try to keep it at the appropriate level. It's clean and tidy there.

In stores, you can buy products at reasonable prices. For 1000 RUB you can buy a lot for 1 person. It is better to buy vegetables and fruits there too. I have not seen 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, as the prices there are very high.

Features of the mentality

For the inhabitants of Karelia, as for any people of the North, restraint and relative unemotionality are characteristic. On the streets, people rarely smile at strangers, and express their emotions sparingly. Don't be surprised by this. The people here are calm and simple. They can be both cheerful and cheerful. But they don't show it to everyone.

Holidays

There are several national holidays in Karelia, but they 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. Of the big holidays: Days of the city, which are held differently in each city. On May 1 and May 9, fireworks are held in Petrozavodsk, and on the second of them, the Immortal Regiment action takes place.

Safety. What to watch out for

In my opinion, Karelia is a safe area. General rules apply here - do not walk at night, observe general safety rules.

In summer, if you go for rafting, then follow the instructions of the instructors who will accompany you. This is not a simple walk, but belongs to the category - an extreme sport. Therefore, do not neglect what the instructor tells you.

It is better to go to the forests of Karelia as part of a tourist group, since you can get lost alone or alone. Moreover, there are wild animals - bears, deer and elk. By the way, they are under state protection, so it is forbidden to shoot them. Even if you accidentally knock down an elk 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 different categories of complexity. Therefore, here is an ideal place for rafting, kayaking or catamaran rafting. Travel companies offer rafting for 8,000-9,000 RUB for a few days. There are also more expensive - it all depends on how long you want to go on such a trip.

Another option is to simply go hiking - to Mount Vottovaara or Girvas Volcano. Travel agencies also have different offers - from 4,000 - 5,000 RUB, depending on the number of days. It is very nice to be alone with nature and take a break from all the benefits of civilization.

In winter come to us to go skiing! Of course, we don’t, but nature is pure and pristine! Ski rental will cost you only RUB 300 per day, but what a pleasant feeling it is to hear how skis glide on the snow.

Another entertainment in winter is riding huskies - sled dogs. A fascinating trip can last from 15 to 20 minutes. For the 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 available throughout Russia: Mango, Concept Club, etc. Since it is very close, there are many stores or Second Hand shops throughout the region. selling clothes from Finland. Prices - from 500 RUB.

bars

For me, the coolest bars are in Petrozavodsk. Although in recent years, one often opens and others close. The establishments are constantly changing, so I don’t even dare to advise you something specific. Who knows - maybe in 2-3 months it will close?

There are bars in other cities of Karelia, but they provide some standard set of services. It's more like pubs or "glasses", as in St. Petersburg.

Clubs and nightlife

About the clubs, I would say the same thing that I wrote about the bars from 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 really like the design there - red telephone booths, old telephones on the walls and a huge SUV right on the dance floor! Entrance - 200-300 RUB.

There are clubs in other Karelian cities, but they are the most simple and unsophisticated. Something like village discos.

extreme sports

An extreme sport is rafting or rafting on catamarans along 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, your eyes will simply diverge from the variety. What can be brought from Karelia?

Products from Karelian birch - these can be caskets, mirrors, combs, jewelry. They smell delicious and are of good quality. 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 on their own, 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 made 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 do they make! Price - from 100 RUB.

And how not to remember here the famous Karelian balm! From other alcoholic, Karelian drinks, you can buy tinctures on local berries - cranberries or cloudberries. Prices - from 450-500 RUB.

How to move 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 according to a certain schedule - sometimes 1-2 times a day or even on certain days a day.

From Petrozavodsk organize excursions to Kondopoga or Sortavala 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 work of a taxi driver, but also his accommodation, if necessary.

It is best to order from official services, as hitchhiking is both expensive and dangerous.

Taxi can only be paid 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 platzkart. There are also seats - they cost only 500 RUB. It is inconvenient to travel by train, because it has its own schedule, which everyone else needs to adapt to.

Buses are old. Until now, “loaves” are sent from Petrozavodsk to small surrounding cities. When you ride in them, it seems that they are about to fall apart. The price 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 for you.

Transport rental

In the cities, I have not seen special offices for car rental. Anything can be found in. Renting a car is not very practical, since remote areas of the republic are not very safe to move around. And the roads in Karelia are bad, so you don’t have to pay too much for rent later.

Karelian roads were built, as they say, according to the principle: "How a drunk driver drove." Turns, turns, potholes - just do not count. On such roads, not only to drive, but to stop.

Hotels and parking places are found, but rarely. There is a good hostel near Ruskeala. It is called "Kircha". This is an awesome hostel! Many hotels and hostels are distinguished by the fact that they are built from wood. These are wooden houses that are well heated 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 - holidays 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 love it there! Ride boats, jump from rock to rock - it's very exciting for them!

It is better to go to Valaam with older teenagers, as small children will be bored there, and they will remember little from this trip.

Ski holidays

You can ski in Karelia, but there are no special, organized tracks in the region. In Petrozavodsk there is a place "Kurgan", where they provide ski rental (from 300 RUB). There will be organized trails. You need to walk around the region only on special skis, since there will be no tracks 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 tourists come here every year, each of whom is sure to find something interesting for himself.

Our article will help you plan an independent trip both by your own car and by public transport from St. 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 Vyborgskoye 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 the Hiitola detour, through Kurkiyoki, Ihala, Yakkima - to the city of Lakhdenpokhya.
By bus: a regular bus from the Severny Bus Station (Murino) runs daily at 7.20, 9.20, 12.20 and 18.50. Travel time is approximately 4 hours, the fare is 550 rubles.
By train: from Ladoga railway station by train 350A St. Petersburg - Kostomuksha to Yakkima station. Travel time 4 hours 32 minutes, fare - 1668 rubles. Then by regular bus to Lakhdenpokhya Bus Station.

Lakhdenpokhya is a small town in Karelia, where several interesting buildings have been preserved. Unfortunately, some of them are in a sad state, for example, the Lutheran church of 1850. Only the walls remain of the once beautiful building.

Another Lutheran church, built in 1935, also needs serious repairs. However, everyone can go inside and climb the bell tower, which offers beautiful views.

It will be interesting for guests of Lahdenpokhya to walk along the streets of the city, where there are old wooden Finnish houses, as well as to visit the Kurkijoki Local History Center, the exhibits of which tell about the history of the Northern Ladoga region.

Sortavala and Ruskeala

How to get there:

By car: from St. Petersburg along the ring road you need to get to the Vyborgskoye 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. Travel time is approximately 5 hours, the fare is 689 rubles.
By train: from Ladoga railway station by train 350A St. Petersburg - Kostomuksha to Sortavala station. Travel time 5 hours 33 minutes.

The city of Sortavala is a small European town that belonged to Finland until 1940. That is why on almost every street in the city you can find a lot of wooden and stone buildings in the Finnish style.

In addition to walking along the streets of the city, in Sortaval it is interesting to visit the Regional Museum of the Northern Ladoga Region, which contains various natural and industrial exhibits of the region, because the Sortaval region is famous for marble mining.

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 has been mined in these places since the time when the Swedes owned the territory.

Ruskeala Park invites tourists to walk along several hiking trails, ride boats in quarries, and also bungee jump. And since April 1, 2017, a unique underground route through mines and adits has been operating.

On the way to Ruskeala Park, it is worth stopping by the ancient settlement of Paaso, the Ruskeala waterfalls, and after the park you can visit Europe's largest artiodactyl animal zoo - Zoo GreenPark.

How to get there:

By car:
By bus: Bus station No. 2 St. Petersburg, bus No. 965. Travel time 8 hours 23 minutes.
By train: from Ladozhsky railway station in St. Petersburg by train Lastochka 806Ch St. Petersburg - Petrozavodsk (journey time 4 hours 55 minutes), train 012A (journey 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 of 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. For connoisseurs of history, the National Museum of the Republic of Karelia is open. The Maritime Museum reminds residents and guests of Petrozavodsk of the times of Peter the Great, when a shipyard was built 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, and the Museum of Precambrian Geology, the period of ancient fossils.

Particular attention deserves Onega embankment, which is not only a great place for walking, but also a kind of museum of modern art.

Petrozavodsk is home to the 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 St. Petersburg, bus No. 965 to Petrozavodsk. Next, transfer to bus number 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. Every hour they make a melodic ringing.

Near Kondopoga is the village of Kivach, famous for its waterfall of the same name, the highest flat waterfall in Europe. Another natural attraction of these places is Mount Sampo, which holds many legends and secrets. The mountain offers a beautiful view of the lake and the forest.

Also in Kondopoga it is interesting to visit the oldest hydroelectric power station in Russia and the Konchezersky iron-smelting plant, built by the 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 St. Petersburg, bus No. 965. Travel time 5 hours 15 minutes. The fare is 617 rubles.

Olonets is one of the oldest cities in Karelia and Northern 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 Laurus - 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 N.T.Prilukin Museum of Karelian Livviks. Also, the Olonets art gallery has 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 Ladozhsky railway station in St. Petersburg by train 022CH St. Petersburg - Murmansk to Medvezhya Gora station (travel time 9 hours 56 minutes).

The history of a rather young city 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 railway station Medvezhya Gora and the Museum of the History of Railway Transport are of particular interest to the guests of the city.

There are many sights in the city, and the nature in these places 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, for nature lovers, the Vodlozersky National Park will be of interest. Hiking and water tourist trails are laid here, on the way of which there are monuments of wooden architecture, parking lots 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 town 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 the memorial cemetery of the 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 Kem station (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 vivid examples of the traditional architecture of the North.

The Assumption Cathedral is located in the center of the city. The wooden temple is over 300 years old, and it was built without a single nail. Not far from the Cathedral is the Museum of Pomorie, the exhibits of which give a complete picture of the life of the local population - Pomors.

There are also many interesting places in the vicinity of Kemi. 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. On the islands, the places of vital activity of ancient peoples have been preserved.

In the village of Rabocheostrovsk on Popov Island, there is an equally interesting attraction - the scenery from the filming of P. Lungin's film "The Island": a wooden church, a sunken barge, piers made of planks, stone shores - all this was left after filming.

Entertainment

troll park

The address: Kulikovo village, Lahdenpokhsky district, Republic of Karelia.
Site: www.mishkina-skazka.ru
Telephone: +7 911 231 90 61
Price: 450 rubles - adults, 350 rubles - children. Local (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 Hiytola (Kulikovo). After 4 km climb up the hill, at the top of the hill on the right are pink stones, to the right into the forest. If you have reached the railway crossing, then you have already passed 700 meters.
From Sortoval by car- along the highway Sortavala-SPb (A-121), not reaching 200 m to the border of Karelia and the Leningrad region, turn right, to Hiytola, then as described above.
By bus- from the metro station "Devyatkino" (Severny bus station) at 9:20 a bus St. Petersburg - Petrozavodsk departs. Buy a ticket to Kulikovo and at 12 hours 40 minutes the bus will arrive in the village. Kulikovo, which is 5 minutes from the Troll Park.
By train- from Ladoga Station at 14:48 the train St. Petersburg - Kostomuksha leaves. Take a ticket to Hiytol (note that 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

A fabulous Troll Park has opened in the enchanted Karelian forest on the ruins of a Finnish farm. More than 50 figures from 40 cm to 4 meters are presented in the open air. Mysteriously, the Trolls were taken by surprise by the dawn and they froze in unusual poses. What do we know about these mysterious creatures? Some say that the Trolls steal children and kidnap beautiful girls. Others say that the Trolls love wealth and hunt for gold and precious stones. Are they good or evil? Creepy scary or cute? Can they harm us, or are the tales of the Trolls just inventions of the Scandinavian elders? Here you will find answers to these questions.

trail over 500 meters
more than 50 figures (trolls, mermaids, sirens, nagas, dragons)
a mini-farm with little piglets and rabbits, goats and chickens, you can pet them and feed them.
hammocks
children's trolling (rope riding)
wild musical instruments
master classes for children and adults
secret troll trail
interactive games (large slingshots, pillow fight on a log)
colored crystal and treasure hunt (found crystal - as a gift)

Zoo Greenpark Karelia

The address: Sortavala, pos. Kirkkolahti
Telephone:+7 921 622-97-93
Site: http://www.zoogreenpark.ru/
Working mode: autumn-winter from 10:00 - 18:00 (ticket office until 17:00), from 05/01/17 from 10:00-19:00 (ticket office until 18:00)
Price: 400 rubles adult ticket.
How to get there: In the city of Sortavala, you need to drive in the direction of Petrozavodsk, following the main road. After the town of Sortavala, after about 10 km there will be a large crossroads, where you need to turn left following the sign to the village of Vartsila and pass under the railway bridge. In this direction, drive 31.5 km, then on the right there will be a sign for the recreation center "Black Stones", turn, drive 10 km, follow the signs, there will be three of them. Coordinates 61° 59′ 27.38″ N, 30° 46′ 22.97″ E

The Greenpark Zoo not far from Sortavala will impress both adults and children. This is Europe's largest artiodactyl animal zoo, located on an area of 30 hectares on the territory of the Black Stones recreation center.

The inhabitants of the zoo are not only various types of deer and bulls, ponies, roe deer, fallow deer, but also many other interesting species, including those listed in the Red Book. In addition, in the zoo you can get acquainted with ostriches, different species 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. Dwarf sheep, deer, Cameroon goats, rabbits, Shetlen ponies and other animals live in the children's zoo.

The zoo organizes guided tours, but tourists are also offered independent walks. Throughout the territory there are route signs, 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 on a meteor: travel time 1 hour, cost about 2000 rubles. There and back again.
From Sortavala on a meteor - travel time 50 minutes. In summer, meteors go daily at 9.00, 11.00, 13.15 and 16.00 hours. The round-trip fare includes a walking tour: Mon-Fri and Sunday - 2300 rubles per person, Saturday - 2570 rubles per person.
From Pitkyaranta, meteors leave from the pier of the Long Beach recreation center. Travel time 1 hour. The round-trip fare includes a walking tour: Mon-Fri and Sunday - 2460 rubles per person, Saturday - 2750 rubles per person.

Valaam Island is a unique place with its unique nature, climate, architecture and 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 Transfiguration Monastery, the construction of which dates back to the 14th century. On the territory of the monastery there is the Valaam Church, Archaeological 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 Igumen Skete, Voskresensky (Red) Skete, Gethsemane Yellow Skete, Nikolsky Skete, St. Vladimir Skete. Another skete is located on the island of Putsaari. 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 inspect.

Of course, the most grandiose building of the island is the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord. The temple can be seen from anywhere on the island. Like all structures in Kizhi, the temple was built without a single nail. Especially beautiful look 22 domes made by hand from pine.

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 maximally preserved.

The museums of the Kizhi Island contain unique collections of ancient Russian icons, paintings, weaving, and wood carvings. 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: along the Sortavala-Petrozavodsk highway, turn to Lake Ruokojärvi. 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 Leppyasilta there is a picturesque waterfall White Bridges. Its height reaches 19 meters, which is almost 2 times higher than the famous Karelian Kivach waterfall. However, due to its inaccessibility (you need 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 village of Loukhi, then along the road 110 km to the west to the village of Pyaozersky.
Site: http://paanajarvi-park.com/

The national park is located around the picturesque lake Paanajärvi. 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 complexity 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 Girvas village (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 Girvas volcano. It 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 once former activity of the volcano: in the channel of the Suna River, you can see a one and a half meter magmatic "tongue", the lava field extends for a thousand square kilometers, and the river bank is formed by solidified 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 of Karelia, Vottovaara, is located near the villages of Sukkozero and Gimoli. Scientists consider this place a unique geological monument, and residents of nearby villages consider it to be a concentration of evil forces. On the mountain there are numerous stone structures, the history of which is full of legends and secrets. It is believed that in ancient times there was a cult complex here. Trees also amaze with 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 sights of Lake Onega

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Karelia is an amazingly beautiful region, which has long become a coveted place of pilgrimage for many tourists from all over the world. They are attracted not only by magnificent landscapes, but also by architecture, as well as the sights of cities, unique and homely. Let's talk about them.

Large cities of Karelia: list

In total, there are 13 cities in Karelia with a relatively low population density. The list is headed by the capital of the region - Petrozavodsk, which is located on the shores of Lake Onega and occupies 135 square meters. km.

It begins long before 1777, when a small village became a city. The heyday came from the time of Peter the Great, by whose decree an arms factory was erected on the banks of the Onega. Picturesque lakes within the city, an abundance of museums, including the famous island of Kizhi, art galleries make the city amazing and unique. Here begin the most tempting tourist routes. capitals - 277.1 thousand people

The second largest city (31.2 thousand people) is a fairly young city Kondopoga(1938), located not far from the capital. Mentions of the first settlements in these places date back to the 15th century, and marble deposits have been discovered here since the 40s of the twentieth century. Unusual belfries - Dutch carillon bells - give a special flavor to the city.

Cities of Karelia

The list will continue Kostomuksha - a city with a population of 29.5 thousand people, formed in 1983 on the site of an old village of the same name. Kostomuksha is located on the shores of Lake Kostomuksha, and the mining and processing enterprise "Karelsky Okatysh" became the city-forming enterprise.

Another city that arose in 1943 and forms the Segezha urban settlement is Segezha with a population of 27.5 thousand people. Its location is Lake Vygozero, 267 km from Petrozavodsk.

Small but wonderful cities of Karelia are beautiful and attractive, the list of which is presented below:

Sortalava, included in the list of historical cities of Russia, was founded in 1632. Number - 18.7 thousand people. Sortalava is the second tourist center after the capital of the republic. This is the starting point of water routes to the famous Valaam.

Medvezhyegorsk - a city with a population of 14.5 thousand people, located 152 km from Petrozavodsk, was formed as a settlement for the builders of the railway to the bays of the Barents Sea. It was recognized as a city in 1938.

The ancient Kem, located on and founded in 1785, and earlier the former volost posadnitsy, was donated in 1450 to the Solovetsky Monastery. Today the population of the town is 11.8 thousand people.

small towns

The smallest formations include the following cities of Karelia (list):

Pitkyaranta (1940) - a settlement with 10.7 thousand inhabitants;

Belomorsk (1938) - 10.1 thousand people;

Suoyarvi (1940) - 9.1 thousand people;

Pudozh (1785) - 9.2 thousand people;

Olonets (1649) - 8.2 thousand people;

Lakhdenpokhya (1945) - 7.5 thousand people.

The cities of Karelia, the list of which we have presented, are unique and amazing. All of them - both ancient and newly emerged - leave a wonderful mark on the soul and make you return to Karelia again and again.

The Republic of Karelia is located in the northwest of the European part of the RSFSR, bordering Finland, between the Baltic, Byl and Barents Seas. The republic has a vast area of 180.5 thousand square kilometers, and at the same time its total population is just over 700 thousand people. Only 13 cities are located on the Karelian territory, the largest is the capital - Petrozavodsk, the cities of Kondopoga, Segezha, Kostomuksha can also be attributed to large settlements.

Detailed map of Karelia

Online map of Karelia

This map allows you to explore the republic and individual cities in various viewing modes. For a detailed study, the map must be enlarged:

The main landscape of Karelia is a hilly plain with obvious traces of glaciers: the remains of ancient rocks, ridges, ridges, lake basins. To the west, the area rises, turning into the West Karelian Upland, on the sea coasts and in the vicinity of lakes there are wet, swampy lowlands.
The climate is of a transitional type (from continental to maritime), so the winter in Karelia is long, warm, humid, the summer is cool and damp, the climate is generally unstable, windy, the weather often changes. Average temperature fluctuations are -10-14 Celsius in winter - +14-16 in summer. Especially attract tourists summer white nights and the opportunity to see the splendor of the northern lights in winter.
Karelia rightfully bears the nickname "country of lakes and forests", forests of extraordinary beauty (about 50 percent of the total area) hide picturesque, cleanest lakes, of which there are more than 61 thousand, the water surface occupies about a quarter of the republic's area! The largest lakes are Ladoga and Onega (as well as Vygozero, Segozero, Topozero, Pyaozer, etc.), rivers (the total number of which is about 27 thousand) - Vyg, Vodla, Kovda, Kem, Shuya, Suna.
In terms of opportunities for hiking, skiing, cycling and water tourism, hunting and fishing, the region is in no way inferior to the popular Transbaikalia and the Urals. Two large protected areas: Kostumukshsky Reserve and Kivach, part of the Kandalaksha Reserve, three natural complexes that have the status of national parks - Vodlozersky, Kalevalsky and Paanayarvi, a huge number of various reserves - there is something to see in the region , even the most demanding tourist.
In addition, more than 4 thousand various cultural, historical, ethnographic, archaeological and natural objects are offered to the attention of residents and guests of the republic: two museum-reserves: "Kizhi" and "Valaam" with their unique history and architecture, complexes of petroglyphs of the White Sea and Lake Onega, rune-singing villages on the White Sea, the beauty of the Kivach waterfall, the healing springs of the Marcial Waters resort, the mysterious labyrinths of the Solovetsky Islands and the seids of Kuzovov and the Vottovaara mountains, the architecture of the ancient villages of Kinerma, Sheltozero, Rubcheila, Korza, Manga, ancient volcanoes, numerous monasteries and temples. You should not ignore the capital of the republic, which has in its luggage 205 different objects of historical and cultural heritage of Russia: original architectural ensembles, temples of the city, interesting residential buildings, many parks and squares.

Karelia and its regions have long attracted tourists from all over the world. 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 relaxing family holiday will find entertainment here.

The largest cities of Karelia that attract tourists are Petrozavodsk and Kondopoga.

Capital of the Republic Karelia is a city Petrozavodsk, located on the shores of the Petrozavodsk Bay of Lake Onega. Lakes also flow on the territory of the city: Dennoe, Lamba, and Chetyrekhverstnoe. The main part of the inhabitants of this region lives in the capital, representatives of different nationalities: Russians, Vepsians and Karelians. The beginning of Petrozavodsk dates back to the time of Peter I, when, according to his decree, the construction of an arms factory was started on the banks of the Onega.

It is from Petrozavodsk that many tourist routes of the region originate. 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 office, you can see the oldest collection of icons in Karelia, you can visit a private art gallery " House of the Doll" or Puppet Theatre.

Near the city there is a reserve "Kivach" with a flat waterfall of 11 meters and a unique balneological and mud resort "Marcial Waters", founded by Peter I. Currently, it has the status of a museum-reserve. The capital has a ski center for children, equestrian and water sports centers. Petrozavodsk has a lot of temples, parks and squares. The most famous throughout Russia is Petrovsky Park.

Relatively young industrial city Kondopoga located near the capital on the shores of the Kondopogoga 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 marble deposits 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, thanks to which all kinds of melodies are played. The most noticeable 14-meter carillon in the form of an arch was erected at the Ice Palace. It has 23 bells and weighs 500 kg.

vintage celebrity Kondopoga is also a modest Assumption Church of the Blessed Virgin, whose height is 42 meters. This "swan song" of wooden architecture was built in the era of completion of Russian wooden architecture. The church has an iconostasis and is decorated with paintings.

Vacationers are also attracted by the Kondopoga Museum of Local Lore, whose collection includes more than 2,000 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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