I travel
Karelia: an unsolved mystery
Northern nature of wondrous beauty, ancient artifacts in the open air, the wonderful island of Valaam, fishing and cloudberry jam - everything in Karelia. A place where you soul relax and where you want to return more than once. Our colleague tells us what to see, what to do and what to bring from there.
Victoria Kharitonova,
training and development specialist
Destination – Sortavala
In August we had our wedding anniversary, and decided to spend the vacation making trip by car. We had never been to Karelia before, and we wanted to see all the most interesting things: mountains, lakes, the famous Valaam, Ruskeala. We chose Sortavala city as our base point, cause due to its location it is easy to travel around the surrounding area. We had a week to do everything: two days were spent for the road there and back home, five days were spent on rest.
Sortavala itself is worth a stroll: you will observe very interesting mix of historical styles. The wooden town hall of the 19th century, similar to a carved box in the Russian style; former Lutheran Lyceum – northern neo-Gothic; Berg's half-timbered house (where you can taste Finnish fish soup or fried Valaam fish). Everything is located in the city center, you can get around in 15 minutes.
Valaam Island
To get to Valaam, we took a boat: private owners offer their “taxi driver” services there. The Meteora motor ships still go to the island and back, but only three times a day, every two hours, we didn’t want to wait.
First we sailed to see the Ladoga Skerries national water park - it is a picturesque bay with many rocky islands, partially covered with forest, I have never seen anything like this in my life before.
training and development specialist
Destination – Sortavala
In August we had our wedding anniversary, and decided to spend the vacation making trip by car. We had never been to Karelia before, and we wanted to see all the most interesting things: mountains, lakes, the famous Valaam, Ruskeala. We chose Sortavala city as our base point, cause due to its location it is easy to travel around the surrounding area. We had a week to do everything: two days were spent for the road there and back home, five days were spent on rest.
Sortavala itself is worth a stroll: you will observe very interesting mix of historical styles. The wooden town hall of the 19th century, similar to a carved box in the Russian style; former Lutheran Lyceum – northern neo-Gothic; Berg's half-timbered house (where you can taste Finnish fish soup or fried Valaam fish). Everything is located in the city center, you can get around in 15 minutes.
Valaam Island
To get to Valaam, we took a boat: private owners offer their “taxi driver” services there. The Meteora motor ships still go to the island and back, but only three times a day, every two hours, we didn’t want to wait.
First we sailed to see the Ladoga Skerries national water park - it is a picturesque bay with many rocky islands, partially covered with forest, I have never seen anything like this in my life before.
Valaam Island
Valaam itself, of course, makes a great impression. This is an archipelago-monastery on 50 islands. The main island is Valaam. It turned out to be much more large than we expected (we only managed to examine a third part). In summer season there are a lot of people here - both tourists and pilgrims. Except for the central Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery, there are many more monasteries in the forests. We only reached Nikitsky monastery, which is located right on the shore, and in total there are 13 historical ones and five new monasteries.
Mountains and forests
There are many mountains in Karelia - not high, but very picturesque, especially in combination with lakes. We visited the famous mountain park "Ruskeala". Then we have got to Mount Filin (Lakhdenpokhya). A huge military bunker with an area of 750 square meters. m inside a big granite rock is one of the largest underground museums in Europe. There is an exhibition from the Second World War and the Karelian Geological Museum with rare minerals.
Mountains and forests
There are many mountains in Karelia - not high, but very picturesque, especially in combination with lakes. We visited the famous mountain park "Ruskeala". Then we have got to Mount Filin (Lakhdenpokhya). A huge military bunker with an area of 750 square meters. m inside a big granite rock is one of the largest underground museums in Europe. There is an exhibition from the Second World War and the Karelian Geological Museum with rare minerals.
Mount Paasonvuori
We climbed Mount Paasonvuori - Viking Age settlements were discovered there. I appreciated beauty of this place: all the slopes were strewn with lingonberries and blueberries, so the landscape looked unusually “juicy.” There is a wide staircase leading up the mountain; along the way you can stop and take photos like all other guests.
Price issue
I’ll say right away that the trip around Karelia was not cheap (of cause? relatively speaking). All in one including gasoline, food, hotel, excursions and souvenirs, cost the two of us about 130 thousand rubles. But the trip definitely worth it.
I also bought local delicacies - a cloudberry jam, Karelian honey and tinctures - for myself and for gifts. A I also recommend to try Karelian open pie made from rye unleavened dough with different fillings - cottage cheese, berries, jam. It is called a "Kalitka". Tasty and authentic.fastfood product. Like everything else in Karelia.
Price issue
I’ll say right away that the trip around Karelia was not cheap (of cause? relatively speaking). All in one including gasoline, food, hotel, excursions and souvenirs, cost the two of us about 130 thousand rubles. But the trip definitely worth it.
I also bought local delicacies - a cloudberry jam, Karelian honey and tinctures - for myself and for gifts. A I also recommend to try Karelian open pie made from rye unleavened dough with different fillings - cottage cheese, berries, jam. It is called a "Kalitka". Tasty and authentic.fastfood product. Like everything else in Karelia.
On the way back we stayed at the Captain Morgan Park Hotel and visited Vuohensalo lighthouse
Interesting Facts
1
Only 10% of the territory of Karelia is suitable for living, because 50% of the land is occupied by forests, 20% by lakes and rivers (about 63 thousand lakes and 23 thousand rivers), and 20% by swamps.
2
Some lakes in forests appear and disappear on their own.
3
Karelian birch does not have annual rings and is highly appreciated.
4
In winter you can see northern lights and polar nights, and in summer (June, July) there are white nights and polar days.
5
A unique shungite stone is mined in Karelia It is 4 billion years old
and may not be found anywhere else in the world.
and may not be found anywhere else in the world.
6
Lake Janisjärvi appeared millions of years ago as a result of a meteorite fall.
There is a lot of evidence of unusual phenomena - a glow above the water and a humming sound under the water of this lake.
There is a lot of evidence of unusual phenomena - a glow above the water and a humming sound under the water of this lake.
© Beko 2023