Description of the attraction
Karelia is often called the lake and forest land. It is no wonder that such a place has become popular among tourists, and the locals themselves are not averse to traveling around their native land. For example, driving to the northeast from the city of Pudozh, you can find undeveloped and almost uninhabited territories with reserved and untouched nature.
A nature reserve was established on these lands twenty years ago. Founded in April 1991, it became the first national park in the northern part of Russia. This event played a significant role in the environmental activities of the entire country. The total area of the reserve is about 5,000 square meters. km, and covers two regions: Pudozh region (eastern part of the Republic of Karelia) and Onega region (Arkhangelsk region).
Vodlozersky National Park is rightfully considered one of the largest reserves in the world with pristine nature. The local fauna is very diverse. The park is home to about 38 species of mammals, 22 species of fish and 5 species of reptiles. Only due to the weak human influence on the territory of the park, such a variety of species has been preserved. In hard-to-reach places in the very depths of the national park, animals and birds that are on the verge of extinction have found shelter. For many rare birds of prey such as the golden eagle, white-tailed eagle and osprey, wilderness has become a safe home. Also, the protected lands have become a shelter for land animals. There are frequent encounters with reindeer, elk and brown bear and smaller animals: badger, marten, fox, lynx, wolverine, muskrat and even wolf.
On the territory of the national park, there is a turbulent and abounding river called Ileksa, and there is also a picturesque lake Vodlozero, which stretches for more than 400 km. The national park was named after this lake. Vodlozero is extremely popular among local fishing enthusiasts and is considered one of the best fishing spots in the Karelian region. Not a single fisherman will refuse to try delicious fish soup from such fish species as bream, burbot, whitefish, pike perch, which are abundant in the reservoirs of the reserve. The water area makes up more than 10% of the total area of the park, water expanses, which give peace and blue to the landscape, if you look at the reserve from a bird's eye view.
But swamps are of greater interest, and not only for scientists, on the territory of the reserve. And the point here is not only in the very diversity of swamps, but in the fact that more than 40% of the national park is boggy. Here, in the swampy area, not only cloudberries and cranberries grow, but also medicinal plants such as wild rosemary and saber. There are also protected plants and mosses.
As for the flora of the park, then, in fact, the entire territory of the reserve is an array of taiga, untouched by human hands. Eternal spruce, larch and pine trees grow in Vodlozersky National Park. The entire forest area, fortunately, did not suffer from fires and was not subject to felling.
In addition to the pristine nature, the park also has a rich cultural heritage. So, here you can find architectural monuments of the XVIII-XIX centuries in the form of peasant houses and chapels. Ilyinsky Pogost is recognized as the most prominent ancient Russian monument. It includes: the Church of Elijah the Prophet and the Assumption of the Virgin, a small bell tower and a beautifully chopped fence. Although there is an official date for the construction of the churchyard (1798-16-04), there are earlier data about it. The temple complex has been restored and rebuilt more than once. And after 1995, the Ilyinsky Pogost became a functioning temple and the spiritual center of the entire Vodlozero region.
Every year Volozersky National Park receives a large number of guests, offering a huge selection of varied recreation. Here you can raft along the rivers, calmly fish in silence, walk along ecological paths. In addition, the reserve takes an active part in cooperation with educational institutions, conducting special excursions for schoolchildren and students.
