Population of cities of Karelia. Large cities in Karelia their sights

The Republic of Karelia is located in the north-west of the European part of the RSFSR, the border with Finland, between the Baltic, Pali and Barents seas. The republic has an extensive area of \u200b\u200b180.5 thousand square kilometers, and at the same time the total number of its population is just over 700 thousand people. On the Karelian territory there are only 13 cities, the largest capital is the capital - Petrozavodsk, and the cities of Kondopoga, Segezha, Kostomuksha can also be attributed to large settlements.

Map of Karelia Detailed

Online map of Karelia

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

The main landscape of Karelia is a hilly plain with obvious traces of glaciers: residues of ancient rocks, a variety, ridges, lake hollows. To the West, the terrain rises, turning into West Karelian elevation, on sea coasts and in the vicinity of the lakes there are wet, wetlands.
The climate of the transition type (from the continental to the sea), so winter in Karelia is long, warm, wet, summer is cool and raw, the climate is generally unstable, windy, the weather is often changing. Average temperature fluctuations - 10-14 Celsius in winter - + 14-16 in summer. Summer white nights and the opportunity to see winter splendor of the Northern Lights are especially attracted.
Karelia is rightfully nicknamed "countries of lakes and forests", extraordinary beauty Forest arrays (about 50 percent of the total area) hide the picturesque, the purest lakes, which are more than 61 thousand, the water surface takes about a quarter of the Republic of the Republic! The largest lakes are the Ladoga and Onega (as well as a depositor, Segosero, Topozero, Piodezer, etc.), rivers (the total number of which is about 27 thousand) - gain, water, came, Kem, Shuya, Sun.
According to the possibilities of walking, skiing, cycling and water tourism, hunting and fishing, the region is no inferior to the popular Trans-Baikalia and the Urals. Two large protected areas: "Kostumukshsky" Reserve and Kivach, part of the Kandalaksha Reserve, three natural complexes that are the status of national parks - "Vodlozerki", "Kalevalsky" and "Paanairvi", a huge number of all sorts of reserves - in the region there is something to see Even the most demanding tourist.
In addition, more than 4 thousand all kinds of cultural and 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 Belarus and Onega Lake, Rough villages on the White Sea, the beauty of the waterfall Kivach, the healing sources of the resort "Martens Waters", the mysterious labyrinths of the Solovetsky Islands and Seyda of the Bodges and Mountains of the Vottovaara, the architecture of the vintage villages of Kinner, Sheltosero, Rubble, Core, Manga, ancient volcanoes, numerous monasteries and temples. You should not leave without attention and the capital of the republic, which has 205 different objects of historical and cultural heritage of Russia in his baggage: original architectural ensembles, city temples, curious residential buildings, many parks and squares.

Highlights

Karelia, the Northern Pearl of International Tourism of Russia, - the link of the tourist route "Blue Road", connecting the country with Norway, Sweden, Finland.

The delightful nature of Karelia, the original culture of those inhabiting her peoples, the architectural masterpieces and religious shrines are sitting here to travel lovers and admirers of the beautiful at any time of the year. Here you can ski and sleigh, melted on kayaks and rafts, hunt, fish, get acquainted with unique architectural and cultural and historical sights. In recent years, green environmental routes have been very popular in recently popular, including visits to national parks and protected areas, as well as ethnographic tours who provide the opportunity to visit Karelian, Pomeranian, weeping settlements that have a centuries-old history.

History of Karelia

Back in the VII-VI centuries BC e. People began to settle on the territory of Karelia. This is evidenced by world famous Karelian Petroglyphs found on the eastern coast of Onega Lake, not far from the village of demons nose. Ancient images are in the Belomorsky district of Karelia, at the mouth of the river. It is known that in the first century BC e. Finno-Ugric tribes, Karelia, Veps and Saama lived here. At the beginning of our era on the shores of the White Sea, the Slavic tribes appeared, which brought here the culture of the cultivation of the Earth.

With the emergence in the 9th century, Kievan Rus Karelian lands were in the sphere of its influence. After the collapse of this ancient state, Karelia became part of the Novgorod Republic, and in 1478, together with other lands, Veliky Novgorod became part of the Russian state.

In the XVI-XVII centuries, the Swedes, who claimed this territory, took another expansion to the East, and, as a result of the three-year-old Russian-Swedish war, in 1617, Russia in the Stolban Treaty gave way to Sweden Karelian shells. In the next century, in Nesteadt peace treaty (1721), which the Northern War ended, this part of the Earth returned to Russia.

Since 1923, Karelia had the status of the Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic. In 1990, the Supreme Council of Karelia adopted a declaration on the state sovereignty of the Karelian ASSR, and next year she was renamed the Republic of Karelia. On March 31, 1992, the Republic of Karelia, signing the federation agreement, became a full subject of the Russian Federation and became part of the North-West Federal District of Russia.

Karelia has its coat of arms, anthem and the flag, and its capital is the city of Petrozavodsk.

Capital of Karelia

The emergence of the main city of the Republic of Karelia is connected with the name of Peter the Great and the dramatic historical events of the early XVIII century: the exit of Russia to the Baltic Sea, the reorganization of the state to the "European manner", the rapid development of industrial production.

In 1703, a Petrovsky plant began to build on the banks of the Lososenki River, which became the largest weapon enterprise in Russia. A Petrovskaya Sloboda arose around him, where master, soldiers, officials of the Gornozavodsky department lived. According to the decree of Catherine II in 1777, this settlement received the status of the city, and in 1781 Petrozavodsk became the center of Olonetskaya province. The first governor of the region was a poet and nobleman Gavril Derzhavin.

The business card of Petrozavodsk is the old town, where architectural buildings of the XVIII-XIX centuries are located. Among the most famous - Alexander Nevsky Cathedral (1823), the Cross-Zodanzhensky Cathedral (1852), the Solomenian graveyard with the Church of the Apostles Peter and Paul (1781), the Stratret Church (1798).

The capital of Karelia is a central node of the tourist infrastructure of the republic. From here, automobile and railway tracks leading to the main attractions of the region are diverged.

Petrozavodsk train station

Historical and cultural attractions

The originality of the culture of Karelia is the symbiosis of the heritage of four indigenous peoples, ten centuries of living on this land, - Karelov, Finns, Veps, Russians. Many architect and historical sights located in the Republic of Karelia have the status of the National Town of Russia, and some are in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Three main jewels in the treasury of Karelia - Kizhi, Valaam and Solovetsky Islands. These cultural and spiritual centers of world significance annually take hundreds of thousands of guests who want to get acquainted with the bright and distinctive historical sights of the republic, to visit unique museums, learn about the artistic and folk traditions of Karelia.

Kizhi.

Kiezi is one of the one and a half thousand islands located in Lake Onega. On the island there is Kizhi gravel - an outstanding monument of the ancient wooden architecture of the North of Russia, which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

This architectural ensemble was created in the XVIII century. In 1714, local residents of their own funds built here the magnificent twenty-dong-round Transfiguration Church. After half a century, the Pokrovskaya Church rose near it, and then a slender bell tower, which gave an ensemble wholeness and completion. Art historians believe that this composition probably embodied the representation of believers about the essence of the Divine Universe.

The architectural ensemble of Kizhsky Posses, located in the southern part of the island, became the basis on which a huge open-air reserve museum was created. It presents monuments of old architecture, household items (about 30 thousand exhibits), religious relics, including 500 icons of the XVI-XIX centuries. All this has been created in Russian, Karelian, Vepsheskiy villages, located in different areas of Obony and in the villages of South and North Karelia.

In addition to monuments, which represent the main exposition of the complex, there are several vintage villages here.

Kizhi slept evening haze

For half a century, the museum was replenished with unique exhibits: they transported one of the oldest of the preserved wooden temples of Russia - the Church of the Resurrection of the XIV century, several chapels, more than twenty peasant homes. Among the transported structures - barns, riga, baths and other business buildings.

In the central part of the island, the villages of Yamek and Vasilyevo are located, the exhibition center is located in the north, the exposition of which will introduce tourists with the culture of the Russian population, the individual sector is dedicated to the culture of the Publishing Karelians.

The Museum-Reserve is not only a masterpiece storage with an age history, but also a research center, where they are engaged in the revival of folk traditions. The museum holds folklore holidays, folk players, the days of folk crafts.

In the ancient temples today are worship, and the bells are transfused at Kizhsky bells.

Infrastructure facilities - cafes, bar, souvenir kiosks, mail and medical beds are located in the southern part of the island. Here is the berth, where you can go on a water trip along the route, which is called "Kizhskoye Necklace". During the trip, you can explore the peculiar dance of the ancient chapels scattered in different parts of Kizhi island and in the neighboring islands. Each of them is unique, does not look like another, and is located in its natural and historical environment.

Excursion takes 3 hours. Cost: 100 rubles from one person.

Kizhi Island, Karelia

Recently, a new excursion route appeared on Kizhi Island - an ecological trail. Given that the Museum-the Reserve is located in the unique natural area of \u200b\u200bKarelia, it was stretched by almost 3 km and equipped with species platforms, from where the magnificent panoramas of the territory, the raised tracks of the ancient earthquakes and the glacier descended about 12 thousand years ago. From here, you can watch rare birds and admire the swollen meadows of the island of Kizhi. Along the route installed information stands and places for recreation.

The whole island is under the jurisdiction of the Museum-Reserve, and for the entrance to it, with an individual visiting, you need to pay 500 rubles. A ticket for pensioners costs 300 rubles, for students - 200 rubles, children under 16 can visit the island for free.

Right in place can be ordered a tour. The choice of sightseeing programs is great, their duration is from a quarter of an hour to three hours, cost - from 200 to 1000 rubles per person.

Balaam

In the northern part of the Lake Lake there is a Valaam archipelago, the name of which gave the island of Valaam. This name wears the world famous monastery erected on it. The history of the Valaam monastery dates back to the X-XI centuries. Since then, an outstanding landscape architectural complex has gradually formed around him.

These places of Karelia were settled in another century, and at about the same time the first Orthodox monks appeared here. It is reliably known that in the XIV century there was already a monastery. In 1611, he was ruined by the Swedes, and over a hundred years spent in ruins. The monastery began to restore only 1715, but wooden buildings in the middle of the XVIII century were destroyed by fires. The large-scale construction of monastic structures from the stone began in 1781. Churches, chapels, economic buildings were erected here. Over time, the roads paved on the ladies belonging to the monastery, damped the dams, punctured the canals, built bridges and equipped drainage structures.

In Christian, stubborn and patient Valaam monks were literally manually created on the rocky slopes of the island a fertile soil layer, swaying the earth brought from the mainland. Here they began to grow the trees and garden crops for these places.

The architectural decoration of the monastery and the manual beauty of the surrounding landscape make up a single whole with the unique nature of the Valaam. She is so impressive that in the XIX century the island has become a kind of workshop, where Russian artists honed their skills in writing landscapes. Thus, the Valaam monastery and the island itself turned out to be captured in many paintings stored today in famous museums.

The magnificent stone monastery complex is the altitude and meaning dominant of the entire Valaam archipelago. The central monastery manor includes the Savior Transfiguration Cathedral, framing its celon corps, hotels for pilgrims, the Holy Gate with the Nadra Church of Peter and Paul, the temples of the Assumption and the Life-giving Trinity.

Valaam Savior Transfiguration Monastery, Karelia

The central manor is surrounded by the Pokrovskoy chapel, the Church of the Reverend Fathers, the walls of which rests the remains of the monastery of the monastery, monasters and other buildings.

The current temples are open to visiting, but you need to be dressed accordingly. Women in pants, shorts, short skirts, with uncoated head input will be closed. Shorts, T-shirts and sports costumes on men are also not welcome.

Tours on Valaam depart from Petrozavodsk and forbid. As a rule, the buses come to the city of Sortavala, from where the warm season is carried out daily flights on the Meteor vessel. Time in the way of water is 1 hour.

By ordering a tour in this city, you can choose one of two options: a short program that includes a shuttle service, a pedestrian trial walk through the monastery estate (from 2300 rubles per person) or a complete program, which is additionally included in the inspection of a large area called " New Jerusalem, a visit to the Nikonov bay, lunch in the meadow, and the opportunity to listen to church spiritual chants (from 3170 rubles per person).

If you are traveling on personal or rented water transport, you can moor at the pier in the monastery bay.

In winter, tourist firms on Valaam organize ski tours and snowmobile travel.

Balaam Island Winter

Solovki.

Solovetsky Islands administratively belong to the Arkhangelsk region, but historically they are connected with Karelia and are located at its northern administrative borders in the White Sea. The shortest way to Solovkov lies just from the Karelian coast, and most of the tourist routes in Karelia includes a visit to the Solovetsky archipelago.

It is located near the Polar Circle and includes six large islands and about a hundred - smaller. Solovkov coastline is uniquely picturesque: she is impressive travelers with bill sediments along the sea, similar to the destroyed walls of the ancient cities, a wide strip of arrays of mixed forests and lakes scattered among them.

The archipelago has the status of a particularly protected area, the historical and architectural and natural museum-reserve.

The architectural complex of the museum, the basis of which is the Solovetsky male monastery, listed as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List.

The most famous archipelago island is a large Solovetsky Island. It is here that the only village of Archipelago and the main historical, spiritual and natural attractions of the Museum-Reserve: Actually the monastery itself, the Ascension Skit on the Sequirous Mountain, Savvatiev Skit, as well as Isaakovskaya, Filipovskaya and Makariyevskaya desert.

Some other shrines of the Solovetsky Monastery are Skits, deserts, as well as stone labyrinths are located on the islands of Large Muksalma, Anzer and on the Great Thailskaya Island.

The Solovetsky Monastery, which is one of the largest spiritual and cultural centers of Russia, was founded in the XV century by the monks of Zosima and Herman. The abode is known for his outstanding role in the history of strengthening the Russian state in the northern territories.

The monastery architectural ensemble includes archaeological complexes of the Doharistian era, the Grand Kremlin is the most powerful fortress, erected from wild boulders, monumental blonde temple buildings, a system of man-made channels connecting island lakes, ancient botanical garden.

In the 20s of the last century, the Bolsheviks considered the construction of the monastery with a fully suitable place to arrange the places of detention of criminals and "unreliable" citizens. It should be said that in the walls of the Solovetsky monastery and previously isolated criminals and heretics. But during the four preceding centuries, about 300 prisoners were languished here, then for an incomplete two decades in the prison cells, a "Solovetsky special purpose camp" visited more than one hundred thousand people, most of whom did not leave Solovki. Their dust rests in unnamed fraternal graves.

In 1990, the Solovetsky Monastery returned to the Lono of the Orthodox Church, gradually restoring his role in the spiritual life of Russia. To see the Majestic Monastic Complex Owned Legends, dozens of thousands of pilgrims and tourists arrive here.

To Solovetsky Islands is most convenient to get from the cities of Kem and Belomorsk.

From the berth of the village of Worptyoscope, which is 12 km from Kemi, twice a day from June to September, boats depart. One-way ticket cost is 1,500 rubles for an adult, 750 rubles - for children from 3 to 10 years, for children under three years - a trip for free. Time on the way - 2 hours.

The same cost of tickets for passengers departing at Solovetsky Islands from the fish port in Belomorsk. The motor ship, flights daily from June to September, is located on the way of 4 hours, there are 4 comfortable passenger salons, a cafe, a pleasure deck and a library on board.

In the kingdom of northern nature

Karelia - a kind of geo recruiter. In this pristine edge, traces of the geological history of Northern Europe have been preserved. Here you can see the consequences of cataclysms who have formed the appearance of the planet long before the appearance of people. Local landscapes, storing the memory of prehistoric earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, drops of giant meteorites, produce a tremendous impression on tourists, and students of geological faculties come to these edges to explore the classic traces of glaciers who have occurred to the continent from the North Sea. The colossal masses of the ice that melted about 12 thousand years ago, left their "business cards" - huge boulders, deep furrows in the rocks, and the ridge of stones, as if gigantic bulldozer assembled by the bucket. All of these titanic surface transformations of the Earth exposed a lot of minerals of useful minerals and even gemstones.

Almost half of Karelia covers forests, the fourth part of its area is occupied by numerous lakes. The landscape complements the swamps and picturesque rocks, swinging moss.

The main natural wealth of Karelia is a forest. Coniferous and mixed taiga forests are the habitat of reindeer, bears, wolves, tricks, salts, boars, and the feathers are about 270 species.

Under the green canopy of pine forests, blueberry shrubs, lingers, riffans, verbs, forest herbs and mosses, among whom many healing are growing. These pines are the best places to collect white mushrooms. In the undergrowths grow worst, cherry, rowan, juniper, alder, including valuable breed with black wood.

Another rare tree - Karelian Birch, is found in small sites in the forests of the southern region of the country. This is a low tree that can be found in an uneven a bug or ribbed trunk - among the most valuable tree species of the planet. His distinctive feature is a very beautiful patterned wood. Products from Karelian birch decorate both simple Karelian houses and the most famous palaces of the world.

In Karelia, 27 thousand rivers, and lakes - more than 60 thousand. Figuratively speaking, each Karelian family belongs one lake. Someone "got" Ladoga, and someone - the "master" of the lamb - so Karela called forest lakes without sources.

The country's lake-river system is unique: there is no more such ratio of sushi and the water surface anywhere.

Ladoga (17.7 thousand km²) and Onega (9.9 thousand km²) of the lake, most of whose water area is located in the Republic of Karelia, are the largest in Europe. Incredibly picturesque northern coasts of these lakes - Kizhi and Ladoga Schhers - rocky islands, separated by narrow straits and components of archipelagoes.

The largest rivers of Karelia - water, curb, came, Kem, Sun, Shuya. Karelian reservoirs are a habitat of 60 species of fish, among which Sig, Sudak, Trout, Kumja, Salmon, Pike, Bream, Nalim.

On the territory of the Republic of Karelia, the only inland Sea of \u200b\u200bRussia is white. In antiquity, he was called the "bay of snakes" due to the curved, serpento coastline. The picturesque rocky coast, covered with beautiful deciduous and coniferous forests, healing air, excellent fishing sitting to the shores of the harsh white sea of \u200b\u200bromantics, yachtsmen, fishermen-athletes. Unfortunately, rest here is available only in a short summer, the largest part of the year the sea is covered with ice.

Karelia is best to travel in summer or in winter, but it is worth considering that at any time of the year the weather here is unstable here, since the territory of the republic is located in the zone of cyclones. In the summer months, shipping has been established here, and at this time it is pleasant to inspect the sights, many of which are in pretty "wild" corners. Another highlight of the summer holiday in Karelia - White Nights, in June the sun does not enter 22 hours a day.

Summer in Karelia is usually cool: in July in the north of the republic, on average +14 ° C; In the southern regions - about +18 ° C, but here, it happens, the heat reaches 2-3 weeks, and the temperature may exceed +30 ° C. It is necessary to be prepared and to such a whim of nature, as a protracted rain - in the summer, they are not uncommon.

In the winter season, the weather can also be capricious. Karelian winter can be called soft (the average temperature of the coldest months is about -13 ° C), but there is always a chance that frosts and the temperature will fall to -35 ° C.

Natural attractions in Karelia

Almost a million hectares in Karelia (5% of the territory of the republic) occupy national parks, reserves, reserves protected by the state.

Near the Northern Polar Circle, on the border of Karelia with Finland and the Murmansk region, on the square of 104 thousand hectares, the National Park "Paanairvi" spread. At this remote corner of travelers, the virgin forests are involved in the most part of the park, the purest forest air, the transparent waters of the rivers and lakes and the opportunity to be alone with nature.

In the park, you can make an ascent to the top of the mountain of Nuorunen - the highest point of Karelia (576.7 m), go on a trip to a small but deep-water lake Paanavari (124 m), accused of a deep gorge, admire the view of the Olang River with her delicious cascade A waterfall of a kivakkakoski, consisting of seven ledges. There are three more delightful waterfalls - Mutkakoski, mantyukoposki, snacks, which also deserve attention.

For tourists in the park, environmental trails are laid, which are equipped with bridges through the streams and swamps. On the way you are playing information signs and pointers.

Here you can rent a wooden house (without amenities) with a stove, by the courtyard, in the yard you will find a place for a fire, a field with firewood, boilers, axes.

Campgrounds are equipped here with tourists and, of course, bathrooms. There is parking (in other places vehicles are prohibited). You can rent a motorboat, kayak, snowmobile.

Nearby is the village of Pizhi-Worthy, where the Park's visit center is working. Here you can get permission to fishing, collecting berries and mushrooms, walking on Paanavari Lake on a boat or wooden sailing Road "Nadezhda".

The park is prohibited by hunting, rafting the rivers, the collection of medicinal plants. From here it is also impossible to carry minerals and rocks.

In this conservation area there are no electricity and cellular communication.

Vodozero National Park

In the Vodvozersk National Park, which the decision of UNESCO is assigned the status of a biosphere reserve, each guest can spend time according to their ideas about the rest. Lovers of leisurely informative travels can be located in cozy houses scattered on the shores of the lake or river, and from time to time to make excursions on the engine boat on the islands of water from the islands, admiring the non-random water-producing dala, stretching under a low-hanging sky. During the trip, you can visit the villages located on the islands with an age-old history, where the old rites of local residents are reborn today, and the ancient temples return to the previous appearance.

Fans of outdoor activities can go on specially laid routes for pedestrian and ski rides, and their services are also - Snowmobile safaris, sports fishing.

The unique National Park "Kalelival" was created to maintain a large array of natural forests and a natural-cultural landscape, which became a medium in which the plot of the world famous Karelian epic "Kalevala" develops.

The local landscape is similar to the mosaic created from the forests, swamps and lakes, the largest of them whose lake Lapokka, where diol and fish were fished for centuries. Here you can see smoking smokehouse for fish, bait holes for cunits.

The bears live in the reserve, and in the summer you can watch the reindeer and their young, seeds along the trail along the river shore.

Reserve "Kivach"

In the southern part of Karelia, the Kivach reserve is the oldest in Russia. 85% of its territory occupy particularly protected forests, hunting and fishing are prohibited here, but you can collect mushrooms and berries for your own consumption (commercial collection is prohibited here).

The reserve is named by the name of the waterfall, which for centuries manifes in these places of travelers with its beauty. Going to the waterfall, you will see how the waters of the Suna River, escaping from basalt rocks through which it flows, with a crash, reach with an eight meter height with a heavy cast flow, forming a grand foaming whirlpool.

Waterfall Kivach

Today it is a natural miracle is the main attraction of the reserve and is part of the main excursion programs in Karelia.

His fame, the waterfall is obliged to the famous Russian poet and the first Karelian (at that time - Olonetsky) Governor Gabriel Derzhavin, after visiting this place that wrote the ODU, which was called: "Waterfall". Without the first lines of the work: "Alpores the Mountain rolls," there is no description of the Kivach waterfall today.

Emperor Alexander II is honored with its presence Waterfall. On the occasion of his visit to Kivach, the road was laid. Through Suna, below the waterfall, the bridge was built for a high guest, and near the waterfall itself, on the right side, the gazebo and a house for overnight.

A visit to the waterfall, as well as the Museum of Nature and the Arboretum of the Reserve will cost you 150 rubles (for children, schoolchildren and students, the entrance is free). For a tour will have to additionally pay 65 rubles.

Many believe that the best time for an excursion to this protected place is winter, so the museum staff has prepared a special program "Tales of Reserved Forest" for the Winter Season. It includes theatrical ideas in the open air, games, contests, sleigh riding. For children - tea drinking with Santa Claus, meeting with the heroes of fairy tales, sweet gifts.

The cost of visiting a two-hour show is 350 rubles.

In 54 km north of the capital of Karelia, the first Russian resort "Martial waters" is located. It was founded at the beginning of the XVIII century by order of Peter I.

On the healing force of ferrous mineral springs, on the basis of which the resort was built, it was known to local residents for a long time, and in 1719 therapeutic properties of water confirmed the studies of court doctors.

The emperor, accompanied by his suite, has repeatedly came here for treatment. Three wooden palaces and a large building with two dozen rooms were built to his first visit here, on the long corridor of which it was possible to go to sources.

From pre-revolutionary times, pavilions built above the sources and the building of Peter and Paul's church are preserved. In 1946, a museum of the first Russian resort "Martial waters" was created in 1946.

Today it is also possible to spend time with health benefit. The modern Balneological Resort "Martial Waters" is the largest in the north of Russia with a wellness complex, where there are well-equipped hydropathy, mud agent with healing gabozer dirt, physiotherapeutic and other branches.

The sanatorium is surrounded by the forest, the three plots of which are unique: the reserve, where Karelian birch birch, grove from elite and deciduous forest with linden-giants grows.

Activities in Karelia

Purples of Karelia - Parades for travelers who loving the thrill and seeking to an individual acquaintance with the uncharted corners of the Earth, as well as fishermen, hunters and just sports lovers who rush here from all regions of Russia and neighboring northern countries.

The services of extremals and preferring active recreation of tourists are vehicles and boats, quad bikes, off-road bicycles, snowmobiles, helicopters. They developed routes of alloys on rivers, horseback, ski routes, and ski rollers, paintball fields and extensive areas for the wild beast hunting.

Lake Onega, Lake Schhers, Lake Sandal, Segozero, Keret - Ponds, through which water routes are traveling for tourists traveling on kayaks, boats, roals, yachts.

A fascinating and exciting adventure - alloy along the rivers of Karelia. Desperate tourists are splashing on catamarans, kayaks, rafts - inflatable small velves. Newbies are offered light, short routes (3-5 hours), usually along the River Shuya, with overcoming simple thresholds that end with a picnic with deserved "combat 100 grams". This extreme entertainment will cost you at least 3100 rubles.

Rafting on the rivers Karelia

Rafting on the Umba rivers and Keret with access to the White Sea, during which you can admire the changing landscapes between overcoming the thresholds and even have time to catch the fish, will require you to part with the amount from 10,000 rubles.

The best bicycle routes pass around the Onega and Ladoga lakes, in the lounge, South and Central Karelia.

Winter season is the time of skiing and snow farte safaris, which gives you the opportunity to visit the hard-to-reach sights of Karelia, for example, in the frozen, and most importantly - to fully enjoy the wonderful beauty of the snow-covered Karelian expanses.

Most of the routes are equipped in such a way that they can pass by a person with medium physical training: there are points for a planned stop, where you can relax and eat. If you went to a long journey, you will always have the opportunity to stay at one of the databases or in guest houses located along the path of your route.

The same high-speed, overcoming snow barriers to transport you to one of the most famous islands of Karelia - Kizhi Island. A two-day sleeping tour from Petrozavodsk to Kizhi with one overnight stay in the hotel will cost in the amount of 26,400 rubles.

Karelian cuisine

Estimation of the centuries of the most respected snack Carares consider fish. A lake fish is most popular, which is traveling in Karelia with steamy, fried, salted, dried, dried and even fresh. From it prepare the first, second dishes are added to salads.

The most revered dish of Karelia - ear, which should certainly try. Here it is called "Kalalaokka". Recipes for her preparation do not read, but most often the ear is boiled from Sig fish, adding milk, cream, butter into it.

The traditional chowder cooked on the meat of white fish, in the restaurant menu wears the name "Calakeitto". The ear of red fish (salmon) is a festive option, it is called "Loichiketto" and is world famous. This dish, thanks to the addition of cream to it, is characterized by an excellent velvety flavoring tint and devoid of fish smell. In a good restaurant, this treat will cost you approximately 800 rubles.

Wuhu Kareli is often eating for breakfast, lunch and dinner, but the range of second dishes is not so great here. Mostly among them - products from rye and wheat flour, potatoes and all sorts of croup. Pancakes and fresh dough pellets are served to porridge, potato mashed potatoes, generously squeaking them with butter.

Pieces with porridge and fish pies are very popular in Karelia, fresh dough for which they are prepared from rye flour.

Tasty dishes are prepared here from meat wild animals - deer, elk, bear and gifts of forest - mushrooms, berries. Be sure to try local berry frost, kvass, tasty liquid. It should also be treated with fragrant Karelian honey.

The best restaurant in the Republic of Karelia, where national dishes are served, Karelian Torny is considered in the center of Petrozavodsk. Many even call her urban attractions.

In remote corners of Karelia, as a rule, tourist services are small establishments, where, however, both in any tourist region, an international cuisine is presented: local, traditional European, Russian, Italian, East, Mexican, Fast Food. Prices depend on the class of establishment and choice of dishes, a dense dinner or dinner will cost 500 to 3000 rubles.

Where to stay

Accommodation in Karelia has its own nuances. Large hotels can only be found in the capital. Business people and tourists who have chosen Petrozavodsk as a base are stopped here, and from here go on excursions. There are premium hotels here, where there are ten thousand rubles for the day of stay, but you can find a hotel and cheaper - about 2,000 rubles a day, or choose one of the motels - about 1000 rubles per day.

Basically, tourists prefer to stop in the tourist complexes located in nature. As an elite rest, you can choose the turbases that are located directly on the territory of the reserves or historical monuments. And the most budgetary options of Karelia - overnight in tents in specially designated places.

In general, tourist complexes have a wide price spectrum of rooms from the class "Economy" to Suite.

One of the largest hotel complexes of Karelia is located in the village of Alexandrovka (50 km from Petrozavodsk) and is located on the coast of Petrozer. Not far from it - two attractions - the Kivach Reserve and the Resort "Martial Waters". The complex includes a hotel and several cottages. The cost of living in a comfortable double hotel room is 2500 rubles per day (for two). The day in the cottage category "Lux" will cost 6400 rubles. (for four).

Tourist base "Thirteenth Cordon" attracts travelers with their location on the shore of the magnificent Lake Ladoga. Here you can accommodate in two-story cottages, divided into categories "Economy" (from 1,500 rubles per person / day) and "Lux" (from 2000 rubles per person / day).

A paradise where you can feel complete unity with the nature of Karelia, called the channel "Canapelka", located on the coast of the Rasincelki Strait. Tourists here are inventory for fishing, sauna, boats equipped with everything necessary fireplace for a fire. Right on the territory you can collect berries and mushrooms, and feed you here will be products from your own economy. The cost of living in a comfortable cottage is from 6,000 to 9,000 rubles a day.

Recently, the so-called farms are popular. One of them is a Karelian farm who is often called a male settlement. Avoid fishermen love to stop here. For them, all conditions have been created here, and the place itself is in a pine forest on the banks of the Syapsy River, not far from a large reservoir - Syamozer. For guests' services - guest houses with all the amenities and individual car park. The cost of living is from 3000 rubles / day.

Karelia - one of the most beautiful regions of Russia, the edge of taiga forests, lakes and ancient monuments

How to get

The main airport of Karelia is located 12 km from Petrozavodsk and named the city (the old name - Besovets). He takes aircraft from different cities of Russia and foreign countries. The cost of the flight on the route Moscow - Petrozavodsk begins from 3,600 rubles; Time in the way will be 1 h 30 min - 1 h 45 min. The airport takes helicopters, and platforms located in small cities of Karelia are also equipped.

Through the south to the north in the territory of Karelia passes the railway line. Through Karelian stakes and the North Station, trains from St. Petersburg to Petrozavodsk are followed. On the West of the Republic you will be delivered by the train St. Petersburg - Kostomuksha.

Bus movement is perfectly developed in Karelia. There are routes to Petersburg, Novgorod, Vologda and other cities.

The main road route passing through the territory of Karelia - Highway M18 St. Petersburg - Murmansk. Road canvas has a good coating, but the minor roads are often a bumpy primer.

The Republic of Karelia in the north of Russia is attractive for tourists by monuments of archeology, history and culture, pristine nature and a small density of the population. There are 13 cities and about 800 villages and villages in the republic. The population of Karelia - 618 thousand people. About 80% - city inhabitants. A third of them live in the capital - Petrozavodsk.

Also to major cities and tourist centers include Kostomuksha, Kondopoga, Olonets, sorted. Some of them lead their history from the Middle Ages, and such cities, as sorted, Kem, Olonets, Petrozavodsk, have the status of historical Russian cities. Through several settlements of Karelia, the famous tourist route connecting Russia, Finland, Sweden and Norway is held. It is called "Blue Road".

The biggest cities of Karelia

List of largest city population in the region.

1. Petrozavodsk

By decree of Peter the Great was laid in 1703. The capital and the only major city in Karelia. Located on Onega Lake. It has access to 5 seas due to the system of channels and rivers. In the city, there are many lakes and springs. For tourists an attractive embankment is attractive with a park of modern sculptures, a stone boron, the Cathedrals of the Cross and Alexander Nevsky. Awarded the status of the city of Military Fame and the historic city.

The population is 279 thousand people.

2. Kondopoga

Located 46 km from Petrozavodsk, on Onega Lake. First mentioned in 1495. In the XVIII century, deposits of marble and ore were found. In 1929, HPP was built. City status was assigned in 1938. In 2001, the Ice Palace was opened - the only one in Karelia. In the vicinity there is a waterfall Kivach and the resort "Martial waters". Urban attractions include two carillons, 18 and 23 bells.

The population is 30 thousand people.

3. Kostomuksha

The city is 30 km from the Russian-Finnish border. The history leads from the 70s last century, when the development of a new ore field and the construction of the GOK began. In the status of the city - since 1983. The main attractions are Kostomuksha Reserve, Kalevalsky National Park, ethnic villages, famous for the art of law. Every year, festivals of chamber and fatal music, author songs pass in the city.

Population - 29 thousand people.

4. Segezha

The city on the river of the same name, near the recruitment. The name is translated as "light, clean." It was founded in 1914 in the form of a small railway station on the Murmansk road. In 1943, the status of the city was assigned. Since the 30s, the plant producing a paper container is a city-forming enterprise in Segeža. For tourists, the Waterfall "Warder Padun" is attractive, the monument of archeology is the village of Nadvoitsa, the museum center.

The population is 26 thousand people.

5. Sortavala

It was laid by the Swedes in 1632, although Karelov's settlement existed in this place in the XII century. Until 1918 - Serdobole. Until 1940 - in Finland. Located on Lake Ladoga. The only city in Karelia with the surviving ancient buildings. In the list of historic cities. The Museum of Ladies, the modern gallery of Cronid Gogolev - a woodcarver on a tree, Ruskeala Natural Park. 40 km - Valaam Island.

The population is 18 thousand people.

6. Medvezhiegorsk

City on the coast of Onega Lake. It was created in 1916 as a village with the railway under construction. Until 1938, he wore the name of the Bed Mountain. Railway station is called so and today. In the 1930s, 3 camps for prisoners were created here, 3 camps were created. In 15 km is a bont of Sandarmoh - the former place of shooting of prisoners. The area is famous for the deposits of Shungitis.

Population - 14 thousand people.

7. Kem.

The name is translated as a "big river". It was founded in the XIV century. The city status received in 1785. Located on the Kema River. Attractive for tourists cleaned schoras - a group of rocky sea islands. Among the valuable monuments of architecture - the Assumption Cathedral, erected 3rd century ago from the tree, and the Annunciation Cathedral of the early last century. The building of the former Treasury opened the Museum of Pomorie.

The population is 11 thousand people.

8. Pitkyaranta

Until 1940 was in Finland. In the same year, the status of the city was assigned. The name is translated as a "long coast". Located on Lake Ladoga. Founded in the XV century. He received rapid development in the XIX century after the detection of ore deposits. It is famous for the beauties of Ladoga Schher, the Uksinskiy Ras Grocery, a waterfall of Yukancoski - the highest in Karelia. Interest represent fragments of Mannerheim's line, local history museum.

The population is 10 thousand people.

9. Belomorsk

Located on the Belomorsk coast, at the mouth of the river. The first mentions - in 1419. In 1938, the city status was assigned. Large railway knot and seaport. Part of the Belomorsko-Baltic Channel. Popular water tourism on the rivers Shuya, Ohta, Sum. Main landmark - Petroglyphs of the Neolithic era. There are many monuments and memorials of the Soviet period in the city. Nearby are Solovetsky Islands.

Population - 9600 people.

10. Suoyarvi

It was founded in the XVI century. Located on the coast of the lake of the same name. The name in Finnish denotes the "Swamp Lake". Until 1940 was part of Finland. Railway node. The area is located the natural customer of Talvoyarevi with an extensive network of lakes and swamps. The historical facilities include the building of the railway station at the station Kaipa and the building of the 1920s of the construction of the 1920s.

Population - 8900 people.

Karelia and its edges have long attracted tourists around the world. And attracts guests not only the most beautiful landscapes and architectural monuments, but also the fact that the tourist season in Karelian regions lasts all year round. There will be entertainment and active tourist, and a lover of a relaxing family holiday.

The largest cities of Karelia, attracting tourists, is Petrozavodsk and Kondopoga.

Capital of the Republic Karelia is a city Petrozavodsk, Located on the shores of the Petrozavodsky Bay of Onega Lake. Lakes are also located in the city: the bottom, lamp, and quadruple. The main part of the inhabitants of this region lives in the capital, representatives of different nationalities: Russians, Veps and Karelia. The beginning of Petrozavodsk begins with the time of Peter I, when the construction of a weapon plant was launched on his decree on the shore of Opega.

It is from Petrozavodsk that many tourist routes originated. In this historic city, there are a lot of active museums: Museum of Fine Arts, the Museum-Reserve, located on Kizhi Island, the State Local Lore Museum, which has been operating since 1871 in an old building - the provincial office, to see the oldest collection of icons of Karelia, can be visited the private art gallery " House Dolls »or Puppet Theater.

Near the city is the Kivach Reserve with a flat waterfall in 11 meters and a unique balneological and mud resort "Martial waters", founded by Peter I. Currently, he has the status of a museum-reserve. The capital employs a ski center for children, equestrian and aqueous centers. In Petrozavodsk, there are a lot of temples, parks, squares. The most famous throughout Russia is a Petrovsky Park.

Regarding young Industrial city Kondopoga Located near the capital on the bank of the Kondopoogo Lip of Onega Lake. The first settlements in this place were back in the 15th century, but the status of the city of Kondopoga acquired only in 1938, after the marble deposits were found here, which were sent for the construction of St. Petersburg.

The main pride of the city is bell-carillons brought from Holland. These bellows can be controlled using a computer, thanks to which all sorts of melodies are reproduced. The most noticeable 14-pendular carillon in the form of the arch was erected at the Ice Palace. It has 23 bells and weighs 500 kg.

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

The Kondopoga Museum of Local Lore, the collection of which has more than 2,000 items is attracting. Here are collected various items of Karelian life, documents about the history of the city, painting and schedule of the masters of major cities of Karelia, archaeological excavations and much more.

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