Karelia does not lose its long-won positions among modern tourists. Fans of outdoor activities who dream of kayaking on restless rivers, ATV safaris, helicopter flights to the most remote corners of the Republic of Karelia come here. Local places are also attracted by pilgrims seeking to worship the prayed shrines, and simply curious travelers in love with the beauty of this region.
You can come to Karelia every year and not walk the beaten paths, but constantly discover something new for yourself.
Beauty of the Marble Canyon
Only in recent years have tourists learned about the picturesque Marble Canyon, which is located on the territory of the Ruskeala Mountain Park. This is a former quarry where marble has been actively mined for several centuries. At first, the Swedes, who owned the local lands, were engaged in this, then the Russians joined. The floors and walls of many churches in St. Petersburg are paved with Ruskeala marble.
Currently, the Marble Canyon is flooded with groundwater and turned into an amazingly beautiful lake, the shores of which are decorated with low northern pines, admiring their reflections in the water surface. You can find the most beautiful points for shooting by following the hiking trail over the canyon.
To the filming location of the film "The Island"
In the village of Rabocheostrovsk, on a small stone promontory protruding into the White Sea, there are still scenery buildings erected in 2005 for the filming of Pavel Lungin's film "The Island". Tourists consider these buildings to be a local landmark and come specially to see it.
The village itself, located 12 km from Kem, has never lacked guests. In addition to the scenery for the film "The Island", there are several old wooden churches in Rabocheostrovsk. In addition, steamers leave from here in the direction of the Solovetsky Islands.
In search of Sami shrines
Between Rabocheostrovsk and the Solovetsky Islands there is a unique reserved rocky Kuzov archipelago, consisting of 16 islands. If earlier ships followed to Solovki without stopping, now special routes have been developed with a call to this archipelago.
At about the beginning of the new era, the Sami lived on the now deserted islands, who left behind stone labyrinths and seids - pyramids resembling human figures. It is said that this was an ancient observatory and the fiefdom of Sami shamans.
On a visit to beluga whales
Even on the long-studied and walked along and across the Solovki, you can find interesting places that are not spoiled by the attention of tourists. Such places include Cape Beluzhiy on Bolshoy Solovetsky Island, where belugas frolic right on the coast. This is the only land area that these marine animals come very close to. You can watch them during low tide in late summer.
***
What else does Karelia offer to its guests? A visit to the island of Konevets with a monastery, a landscape park and a sand spit, a visit to the historic village of Kinerma, built up with wooden houses from the 18th century, and much more.
Have you already chosen a destination you should definitely go to? It remains only to organize the excursion correctly, and this should be entrusted to professionals: the tour operator "Polar Aurora" will take care of your impeccable rest and good mood! Discover Karelia and be sure to come back here!
