They do not go to Karelia for a quiet family vacation. They come here either for active pastime (water tourism, cycling, fishing, hunting, winter sports), and in summer - for sightseeing, which in Karelia is quite a lot. This includes natural reserves, monuments to folk art, ancient monasteries, and many other interesting places. Let's learn in more detail what you can see in Karelia.
| | | |
Karelia is located on the border of Russia with the European Union, in the north-west of the continent. This could not but affect the amazing nature and peculiar climate of this republic, which determines its features in terms of tourism .
Natural and architectural sights of the Republic of Karelia
First of all we should remember the Paanajarvi National Park. Picturesque rivers with rapids, lakes with sandy beaches, colorful waterfalls and small rocky mountains amaze the inexperienced tourist. After all, even in the northern regions you can have a good rest, enjoying the untouched civilization of local nature!
| | |
The Paanajarvi State Park is located in the Louhi region, in the northwestern part of Karelia. Entry to the park is limited, in order to obtain permission, you should contact the visit center. But hitting here, you will understand that this journey is worth the time! In Paanajarvi you can get acquainted with the plant world of North Karelia, fish on the river Olanga, spend several days in the park with overnight stays in equipped cottages. The main attractions of Paanajarvi Park in Karelia are Mount Kivakkatutturi and the eponymous waterfall, Ruskeakallio Rock, Mäntykoski Waterfall.
Vodlozero National Park is famous for being one of the world's largest wildlife reserves. Of great interest is the local fauna: many of the endangered animals and birds that live here are listed in the Red Book (golden eagle, white-tailed eagle, reindeer, etc.). In the park there is something to admire: more than 10% of its territory is occupied by the most beautiful blue lakes, rivers and swamps. Here you will see a lot of architectural monuments that have survived since the XVIII century: the church of the Ilyinsky churchyard, peasant houses, ancient chapels, etc.
| | |
The main difference of this park from other large parks of the country is that for many centuries its territory remained untouched. The centuries-old taiga forests and wildlife of the Vodlozersky Park are almost in their original form - this is what attracts numerous visitors. You can see all this beauty during the excursion along the so-called ecological paths or in the form of active rest on the reservoirs of the Vodlozero park.
Kizhi is a unique monument to the wooden architecture of Russia , located in the open air. It is a small island in Onega Lake, where numerous architectural and historical monuments of Karelia are collected. These are ancient wooden churches, the key ones being the ensemble of the Kizhi churchyard and the Church of the Resurrection of Lazarus, built in the XIV century, as well as whole villages of wooden buildings - huts, barns, rigs and baths.
Valaam is considered one of the most popular sights of Karelia among foreign tourists. It is here, on the Valaam archipelago, people from different countries come to appreciate the unusual northern nature and the famous Orthodox shrine - Valaam Monastery. It is a whole city, consisting of buildings of the monastery complex, the Holy Gates, various temple buildings and monasteries.
As for organizational moments, it is best to get to Valaam by water transport (on a cruise ship from St. Petersburg or on a ship "Meteor" from Sortavala). However, if you want, you can reach one of the main sights of Karelia by car or bus from Petrozavodsk.
| | |
