What can be done in Karelia, Russia?

Immerse yourself in the fairytale-like atmosphere of the town of "Kalevala", learn to play the Kantele, a derivative version of the Russian Gusli, make pies, and learn about the semi-graphite What are the uses. We tell you why it is worth to go to Karelia now.

Karelia is a place with amazing northern nature and rich traditions. Forests, rivers, and boulders are fascinating at any time of the year. No matter where you go, you can see amazing wooden buildings, taste delicious food, and hear legends and songs in Karelian, Vips and Finnish.

Would like to visit Karelia? Don’t forget to get your Russian invitation letter and Russian visa first.

What can be done in the Republic of Karelia?

At any time of the year, you can:
Visit the two cities of Petrozavodsk and Sortavala;
Left a deep impression on the wooden church buildings from the 14th to 15th centuries on Kizhi Island;
Learn about Kemi's northern coastal area culture;
Visit the "Ruskeala" (Ruskeala) mountain park;
Improve health in the Marcial waters resort, the oldest bathing resort in Russia.

During winter, you can:
Ride snowmobiles and experience the fun of deer pull or dog sledding, cross-country skiing or alpine skiing;
Take a walk along the Kivach Nature Reserve to see waterfalls under the ice shell;
Visit the residence of Santa Talvi Ukko in Karelia.

In summer, you can:
Holiday by the river or lake;
Trekking and horseback riding;
Play rafting and fishing.

Top 7 Places to Visit in Karelia

1. Petrozavodsk - a city built by Peter I (Peter the Great) by Lake Onega, is an excellent starting point for traveling around the region. For example, you can go to the "Kiri" Museum Reserve and the "Kivazi" Nature Reserve. There are some amazing museums in the city-the Ethnographic Museum, the "Kantele House" Cultural Center and the Industrial History Museum.

2. Kizhi Island - is a small island in the Kizhiyan island group on Lake Onega. There are the main open-air attractions of Karelia on the island-the Kizhi village cemetery and wooden buildings. Kizhi Island is now a museum reserve.

3. "Kivazy" - is a picturesque nature reserve not far from Petrozavodsk, part of which is open to tourists. The main attraction here is Kiwazi Waterfall.

4. Soltavala - is a city with some Art Nouveau buildings, "Väinämöinen" (Väinämöinen) and "Kirov" (Kirov) triangular squares, this is a trip to Valaam (Valaam) Islands and A convenient starting point for tours to Ruskala Mountain Park.

5. Ruskala - is almost a fairytale lake formed by the former marble canyon. Now it is a tourist area with paths that extend along hillsides, caves, and tunnels. Before traveling to this national park, take a look at its floor plan, so as not to miss the "Italian Gorge" inside and the "Ruschierski Blind Area" on the other side of the Grand Canyon. Boating on the lake is relaxing and enjoyable, and the "Ruskiyelski" waterfall is not far away. It was here that the famous Soviet movie "The Dawn Here is Quiet" was filmed.

6. The Valaam Islands on Lake Ladoga - are famous for the Valaam Monastery (The Valaam Monastery) built on the island in the 14th century. There are also some sayings that in the 10th century, here The scenery is breathtaking.

7. The cities of Kondopoga, Kostomuksha and Medvezhyegorsk - are surrounded by many ancient wooden buildings-traditional Karelian villages.

Geographical Location

Karelia is a vast area north of St. Petersburg, most of which are forests and lakes. The area is bounded by Lake Onega, Lake Ladoga and the White Sea to the east, and bordering Finland to the west. A highway to Murmansk via Moscow and St. Petersburg runs from south to north. Karelia. The capital of the Republic of Karelia is the historic city Petrozavodsk.

Summer is comfortable and warm, and the white night phenomenon is very interesting. But there are many mosquitoes, small flying insects, gadfly, and ticks in the open air. Please use suitable mosquito repellent and wear suitable clothing. When going out for a hike, please be sure to check your whole body and all items. The hottest time of the year is July. The average temperature is around 15 degrees, but occasionally it can reach 30 degrees.

Winter in Karelia is a true winter myth: white snow, beautiful and cold, but quite comfortable. The average temperature in January is about minus 11 degrees. Snow starts in November and will continue in mid-May of the coming year.

Karelian traditions

The Karelian tradition is closely related to the Finnish-Ugric epic "Kalevala". The legendary ancient Finnish folk song tells the kingdom of Kaleva and its people about Väinämöinen, the hero who built the first ship and invented the musical instrument Cantre, and the blacksmith Il, who forged the magic mill "Sampo" The story of Marinen and other magical characters such as the witch Raush and the wizard Leminkinen. The folk song has nothing to do with the storyline that everyone is saying, it is likely to describe the universe as understood by the inhabitants of ancient Karelia.