Lakhkolampi: Mound of Glory and Karelian Culture

In Lakhkolampi, the Mound of Glory (Kurhan slavy), bearing the names of heroes of the Great Patriotic War, commemorates Karelia’s liberation. The names give the act of remembrance a concrete connection to those honoured; the dedication identifies the historical context. When looking for a holiday rental, it is helpful to consider the local memorial site separately from the themes of the wider destination, the Republic of Karelia. These range from waterfalls and forest trails to wooden architecture and prehistoric rock art.

Waterfall and Forest Trails in Kivach Nature Reserve

In Kivach Nature Reserve, an overview excursion includes an outdoor walk to Kivach Waterfall, as well as a visit to the dendrological collection and the nature museum. The waterfall is on the Suna River in central Karelia; its drop is 10.7 metres. It is Europe’s second-largest lowland waterfall after the Rhine Falls. The excursion thus combines views of the waterfall with further insights into nature and the environment.

Near the excursion area, a 1,000-metre circular trail runs through a patch of forest along the banks of the Suna. The excursion along the trail takes 1 to 1.5 hours. The figures refer to two different measures: the number of metres indicates the trail’s length, while the time range indicates the duration of the excursion. Check the current conditions and booking arrangements with the operator in advance.

Wooden Architecture and Crafts on Kizhi

The Kizhi Open-Air Museum displays 89 monuments of traditional wooden architecture. These include old chapels and houses, mills, granaries, threshing barns and drying racks. Visitors can also see the interiors of the Church of the Intercession of the Mother of God and peasant houses; traditional peasant crafts are demonstrated in the houses. The visit thus encompasses both the variety of buildings and insights into their interiors and crafts.

The Kizhi Pogost is an architectural ensemble featuring the world’s only multi-domed wooden Church of the Transfiguration. This distinctive building stands out alongside the 89 monuments in the museum reserve: here, the focus is on a single church, while there it is on the wider variety of traditional wooden architecture.

Petroglyphs on Lake Onega and the White Sea

The UNESCO World Heritage site of the Onega and White Sea Petroglyphs comprises 4,500 Neolithic rock carvings in the Republic of Karelia. The Onega petroglyphs include more than 1,200 figures in Pudozhsky District. Most are located on the three central capes of Pery Nos, Besov Nos and Kladovets. The White Sea petroglyphs mainly depict hunting and sailing scenes, along with related equipment; animal and human footprints are also represented.

The Belomorsk petroglyphs are located in the lower reaches of the Vyg, near its mouth on the White Sea, 6 to 8 kilometres from Belomorsk. They comprise more than 2,000 different carvings. Together, these examples show how the petroglyphs can be understood through their locations and depicted subjects: for the Onega groups, the named capes provide a specific geographical reference, while the White Sea carvings mainly depict scenes and tracks.

Forests, Wilderness and Other Landscapes of Karelia

The national parks of the Republic of Karelia also have different areas of focus. Kalevalsky National Park was established to protect a large area of natural forest. Vodlozersky National Park spans the Republic of Karelia and Arkhangelsk Oblast and is one of the largest wilderness reserves in the world. Paanajärvi National Park is in northwestern Karelia, in Louhi District. Its landscapes, rich plant and animal life, unspoilt tranquillity and excellent fishing attract visitors. The comparison thus brings together forest conservation, a vast wilderness area, and specific interests in nature and fishing.

Another regional highlight is the Marble Canyon, which forms the basis of Ruskeala Mountain Park. Together with the forested areas, the waterfall and the rock carvings, it broadens the view of the Republic of Karelia’s diverse natural and cultural landscapes.

Discover more destinations: Ruskeala, Tiurula, Meyeri, Kostomuksha, Pryazha, Chalna, Mikli, Petrozavodsk.

See the destination overview: Republic of Karelia.