Holidays for May in Karelia
This is one of the most ecologically clean areas of Russia, with unusual in its beauty nature. The purest rivers and lakes, where the water is so clear that it seems that you can reach the bottom with your hand, even in the middle. Hopped with its purity, the air will turn the head of any city dweller. Walks in pine forests are recommended for people suffering from respiratory diseases: bronchi and lungs. But not only nature has tried so that your eye has something to admire - it is in Karelia that the famous Solovetsky Monastery is located.
Until the middle of the XVI century, Solovetsky Monastery was a rather modest abode with wooden church, residential and economic buildings. However, the strong spirit of its inhabitants appeared soon. In 1548, the abbot became an outstanding and active Philip, at which the monastery began to build majestic stone temples, large economic structures, trade and its own fleet. New roads are being built, numerous lakes are connected by canals, which improves water supply and movement on light ships and boats. To solve the “food program”, pastures and livestock yards are being created on the island of Bolshaya Muksalma, and large artificial ponds are being arranged near the monastery for breeding and keeping sea fish. The scale of stone construction required the creation of a brick factory, as well as the extraction of funds and the invitation of craftsmen, which was successfully done - energetic Philip did not sit as a reclusive on Solovki, but traveled around Russia and established connections with many "useful people."
He ruled the monastery for eighteen years, making it one of the largest in the North. In 1566, Philip was summoned by Ivan IV to the place of Metropolitan of Moscow, and in 1569 by his order was strangled by Malyuta Skuratov in Tver, where he was exiled for protesting against the arbitrariness of the oprichniki. The name of Philip in the Solovetsky Monastery is sacred and immortalized many times.
In the second half of the XVI century, military danger hung over Solovki. Surprised and irritated by the activity of Solovetsk merchant shipping, the Swedes in the midst of the Livonian War send warships to the Russian shores. Concerned Solovetsky islanders begin to build a wooden fortress, replaced in 1582-1596 stone.
By the middle of the XVII century, the monastery reached its heyday, its political and moral influence was growing not only in the North, but also in the whole state. But at this time, the only time in its history, the monastery was subjected to a terrible defeat with numerous bloody victims.
Thus he was punished at the end of the famous eight-year "Solovetsky sitting" (1668-1676) by the tsarist troops for resisting the church reform of Patriarch Nikon.
In addition to the Solovetsky Monastery, Karelia will give its guests many pearls of Russian craftsmen. On the island of Kizhi in Lake Onega there is the largest architectural ensemble of folk wooden architecture in Russia - the famous Kizhi Pogost - an outstanding creation of the master's hands. Today Kizhi is not only a museum of folk architecture under the open sky, folk traditions are being revived here: art crafts, folk festivals, folk games, customs. The bells sounded again on the bell towers of Kizha, and divine services were resumed in ancient temples. In the south-west of Karelia, the island of Valaam is located in Lake Ladoga. Founded here in the XIV century, one of the largest Orthodox monastery in Russia was revived in the late 1980s. Cultural monuments of Valaam - grandiose architectural ensembles, man-made gardens, engineering structures, an ancient monastery necropolis coexist with an even more ancient and majestic nature of the island. Valaam is a traditional place of Orthodox pilgrimage in Russia.
Never ceases to amaze archaeologists with new discoveries Karelian region. On the archipelago of Kuzov found about 800 different additions of stone. Huge cult complexes on the largest islands (German and Russian) have no analogues in the world! Sami sanctuary (seida), Vottovaara, Muezersky district.
In 1992, the archaeologist of the local history museum Mark Shakhnovich opened a cult complex on the Vottovaara mountain in the Muezersky district. This place, located at the highest point in Central Karelia (height above sea level - 417.3 m) and occupying an area of 6 square kilometers, is a geological, archaeological and natural-landscape monument of Russian importance. Here are the additions of stones, conventionally called "seids" (from Lopar - "deity").
The age of the complex, according to archaeologists, is about 2002 years. This sacred place, according to Sami beliefs, is the center of evil forces, which is confirmed by eerie details: trees are ugly, animals do not live, dead lakes. Traces of tectonic activity (earthquakes) by people of antiquity with sufficient grounds were considered a transition to another world. One of the unique finds on Vottovaara is the steps carved into the rock. But archaeologists argue that the local tribes in ancient times, the concept of “staircase” simply did not exist, as other tribes did not have the concept of “wheel”.
But Karelia is primarily a kingdom of rivers and lakes. Here, any lover of water recreation will find a lesson to taste: who rides on quiet lakes on boats, and who wants to tickle the nerves and test themselves for endurance - for rafting on rough rivers, of any complexity. So if you are a rauting lover – better place than Karelia you will not find. If you wish, you will find a fascinating, dynamic, full of impressions rafting along the most popular river of Karelia. In summer, Shuya is calm and leisurely, but in early May it changes unrecognizably. Flood speeds up the flow, turns rapids into interesting obstacles for thrill lovers. You will witness the awakening of nature, meet the spring, watching the blossoming leaves in the trees, listening to the singing of birds, admiring the work of beavers.
The whole route is dynamic and diverse, the latches between the numerous rapids pass under the motor. May is the sunniest month in Karelia, so stock up on sunscreen, good mood and meet the May holidays in Karelia!
Tohmayoki is one of the most attractive rivers of the northern Ladoga region. It was on its shores that the film “And the Dawns Are Quiet Here” was filmed. On the river there are many rapids, small waterfalls, destroyed Finnish platinum, which will undoubtedly be remembered for a long time by their sparkling jets. May rafting on Ux is a godsend for those who are ready to experience the impressive power of stormy water, get a charge of energy for the whole summer! Only a few days a year, the winding, wild at first glance, the river becomes a place of pilgrimage for hundreds of tourists-watermen in love with White Water. Rafting on Ux during flooding can easily compete with mountain rafting in dynamics and a set of interesting obstacles. Uksa will charm with its rapids and waterfalls, numerous beaver dams and trees hanging over the river. You are waiting for beautiful parking in the glades near the famous "Uksinsky Paduna" - waterfall-type rapids, overnight stays under the noise of the threshold and splashing fish.
So come to Karelia and enjoy this beautiful land!
Source: http://www.rostur.ru/allroute/678/index.shtml