Description of the attraction
Kiryavalahti Bay is located in the northernmost part of Ladoga. This name is translated into Russian as "motley". Indeed, the water in the bay from the height of the surrounding rocks is full of glare and shimmers. In the 1930s, here, among the high coastal cliffs, the Finns laid a road to the village of Rautalahti. The construction was not easy, as it was accompanied by mining operations on sheer granite cliffs. Here, among the rocks, a little later the Dacha of the pharmacist Jaskelainen was built.
It was called Rantala Manor earlier, when it belonged to the owner of the Karelia pharmacy Tauno Jaskelainen in Helsinki. This estate is located in the Sortavala region in the direction from the city of Sortavala to Petrozavodsk. This architectural monument of the early 20th century is the last stop on the Blue Road route. The house is built under a rock, on top of which there are forest lakes. There is an opinion of some scientists that in ancient times there was a mouth of a volcano here.
The sketch of the building belongs to the famous Finnish architect Pauli Blomstedt, but the construction itself was completed after his death in 1935-37. architects Martha Blomstedt (his wife) and Matti Lampen. This building was created in the style of functionalism and national romanticism. It fits organically into the natural landscape and gives the impression of strength and comfort. Situated on a cliff covered with forest, made of natural materials (stone, wood, brick), facing the bay with its main facade, the structure creates the impression of a single whole with the surrounding space.
When looking at the cottage from the side of the bay, you can see only the front facade and part of the side, while the main part of the building is hidden by conifers. The main facade of the cottage is not proportional, since on the left side on the first floor there is a veranda and a terrace on the second floor. The interior of the building is also interesting; its main attraction is the dining room. The room is finished in the form of a log hut with beamed ceilings, the walls of which are made of large black logs. An ancient fireplace in the guest hall and a large staircase to the second floor have been preserved.
Since 1947, by order of the Council of People's Commissars, this building was transferred to the Union of Composers for free lease, but it remained in state ownership. Famous Soviet composers have been here: Shchedrin, Svetlanov, Soloviev-Sedoy and many others. A well-known work was created here, which has become a hymn in Karelia - "Karelia will be dreaming for a long time …". In the 90s, when the property of the Russian Federation was divided into federal, municipal and regional, this House of Composers became the property of the Karelian Republic.
Now the Dacha of the pharmacist Jaskeläinen is protected as an object of cultural heritage, is recognized as a historical monument and is registered with the Republican Center. And it is still provided for free use by the Union of Composers.
The second floor is occupied by a hotel. Double and quadruple rooms are available to guests of this region, who are attracted by interesting excursions, both on foot and by water, in this beautiful corner of northern nature. Individual boat trips to visit the islands of Lake Onega are also possible here. There is something to do here for fans of both summer and winter fishing, as there are a large number of lakes in the forests around. If you walk along the hiking trails in the northern direction from the manor, you can go to the shore of Lake Haukkajärvi to Mount Petsivaara - the highest point in the Northern part of Ladoga, its height is 187 m, from the top, which offers a magnificent view.
