Karelia cable car. The Marble Canyon of Karelia is a man-made monument of nature. How to be always online when traveling

In Karelia, not far from the city of Sortavala, in the village of Ruskeala, on the banks of the Tokhmajoki River, there is mountain park "Ruskeala". The main attraction of this park is amazing beauty marble canyon. The depth of the canyon, which stretches for almost 500 meters in length and 100 meters in width, in some places reaches fifty meters.

Geography and climatic conditions

Karelia is located in the northwest of Russia, on the coast White Sea. Most of the territory of the republic is occupied by a hilly plain. The glacier that retreated to the north at one time had a strong influence on the relief structure of Karelia, forming a large number of moraine ridges, ramparts and ridges.

The climate in Karelia is generally mild, changing from maritime to temperate continental. Karelia is characterized by a large amount of precipitation throughout the year.

Winters are snowy and cold, although frost is rare. Summer in these parts is short, mostly cool. Hot days are extremely rare.

The coldest months of the year are in January and February. July is considered the warmest month in Karelia, the average temperature during this period is +13 -15 degrees, the maximum air temperature can rise to +30 degrees.

Light day in Karelia has a different duration depending on the season. The shortest day is in December - about six hours in the south, four hours - in the Subpolar regions. Somewhere in mid-January, the daylight hours intensively increase, and in June-July the famous “white nights” begin, when the sun shines with almost round knocks.

The first to develop marble quarries in Ruskeala were the Swedes. Then, when these lands were transferred to Russia after successful military operations in the Northern War, the development of marble was suspended for some time. And only in 1769, Empress Catherine II issued a special decree, according to which work in the quarries was restored. The beginning of work on the quarries was associated with the active construction of new palaces and cathedrals in St. Petersburg.

Starting from the 17th century, the Ruskeala marble canyon began to supply different types marble to the capital and other cities of Russia. St. Isaac's Cathedral in St. Petersburg was faced with marble mined here, and the floors of the Kazan Cathedral were decorated with it. Ruskeala marble was used for the manufacture of window sills and window cladding in the Hermitage, the facade of the Marble Palace, Winter Palace, Mikhailovsky and Taurida castles. In Soviet times, it was used to decorate the Primorskaya and Ladozhskaya metro stations in Leningrad. The locals are very proud of this.

Ruskeala today

Today, most of the quarries flooded with groundwater and the waters of the Tohmajoki River are no longer used for industrial purposes. Unique nature in combination with the results of human activities have made the canyon one of the most attractive natural attractions of Karelia. Some of the quarries are adapted for visiting tourists, while others continue to supply valuable building material.

Since marble of various colors was previously mined here, the banks of the canyon also acquired various shades. The marble quarries remaining under water differ from each other not only in outline, but also in bizarre shades of water. When you sail on the Marble Lake on a boat or boat, you find yourself in a snow-white, then malachite-green, or even completely black kingdom.

And the water in the lake is so transparent that you can see the bottom at a depth of 10-15 meters. Around there are many grottoes of the most bizarre shapes and shades, which creates a feeling as if you have fallen into fairyland. This lake trip is one of the most popular excursions among the tourists of Karelia.

No less exciting activity - walking tour along the shores of Marble Lake. Moreover, they are cleared and paths for tourists have already been laid along them. Some places are specially equipped viewing platforms. Tour guides take tourists to the mines and galleries within the walls of the quarry, most of which, unfortunately, was flooded during the Russian-Finnish war. And in the adits and drifts that have survived to this day, you can walk along the routes of the old masters.

Here you can find dry galleries but it is dangerous to go there unaccompanied. Interesting feature adit - the higher the temperature outside, the more deadly cold is felt inside.

One of the grottoes of Marble Lake was named "Musical Grotto" because of its unique acoustic features. in winter the park turns into a bizarre fairy-tale palace shrouded in snow and ice.

Ruskeala waterfalls

Tohmajoki river is one of the most major tributaries Lake Ladoga, its length is almost 40 kilometers. It has many rapids and waterfalls. The largest of them - Ahvenkoski waterfall, located three kilometers from the village of Ruskeala. The name of the waterfall is Finnish, which means “perch threshold”. Among the locals there is also the name "waterfall at the three bridges."

The waterfall is clearly visible from the road passing by the village, and therefore it attracts the attention of tourists. Especially for them, next to the waterfall, there is a parking lot, a recreation area with cozy gazebos and awnings. Once upon a time, it was on this waterfall that the famous bathing scene of the heroine of the famous Soviet film"And the dawns here are quiet."

Ahvenkoski is a complex that includes four waterfalls about four meters high. This is a favorite place for tourists and fans of active water recreation.

Another waterfall near the village - Ryumyakoski which is not accessible by car. The road there is very swampy, so you have to walk about 200 meters. Once there was a Finnish hydroelectric power station on Ryumyakoski, some of the dilapidated buildings of which have survived to this day.

Behind the village of Ruskeala, where the Tokhmajoki River crosses the road, an amazing picture of another group of water rapids opens before the eyes of the tourist. And, although these waterfalls are not so high, nevertheless, their unique and enchanting beauty cannot leave anyone indifferent.

Ruskeala failure

Ruskeala failure- another attraction of Karelia, it is located on the border of the territories mountain park and the current marble factory. Local residents claim that this ice failure was formed when blasting was carried out in a nearby quarry in the 60s of the last century. The roof of the semi-flooded adits left by the Finns could not stand it and went under water, forming an oval-shaped hole on the surface of about 20 by 30 meters. From here you can go down to the mining center. Once upon a time, the underground zone was connected to the territory of the current mountain park through unflooded adits. But now they are all under the rubble. Inside the sinkhole, especially in its distant parts, the ice does not melt even in the summer.

Lutheran parish

The Lutheran parish in the village of Ruskeala was founded in 1727. wooden building was built by the Finnish architect Anders Fredrik Granstedt in 1834, approved by the famous German architect Johan Carl Ludvig Engel.

The building almost completely burned down during the war in 1941, only fragments of its foundation have survived to this day. The church bell was moved to Stockholm, where it is still kept.

The modern Lutheran parish was founded in 1990, when local residents registered the Church of Ingria. When the church was open small hotel"Papilla".

Do you know how to get to? Do you want to see the sights of Petrozavodsk? Read the answers to these questions, as well as tips on how to get there, where to stay and what to see in the city on our website!

Water activities and excursions

divers, especially cave divers, love to train in Marble Lake, swimming in the most remote corners of the quarry. At one time, there were three underground horizons of marble mining here - there is where lovers of underwater travel can roam. After the Finns flooded many mines and adits during the war, a huge amount of equipment remained at the bottom of the canyon, which attracts cave and techno divers in our time.

Amateurs make their routes along the rapids of the Tahmajoki River, from spring to the end of summer. The length of the route is about 2.5 kilometers, along the way there are dams and blockages created by beavers.

Travel company in the city of Sortavala - "Kolmas Karelia" organizes one-, two- and three-day rafting routes along the local rivers Janisjoki and Tahmajoki. The tour includes a transfer from Sortavala to the start of the rafting, the cost of which is from 1,500 to 6,500 rubles per person, depending on the duration. Multi-day rafting includes accommodation, meals and various educational excursions to local attractions. The complexity of the routes depends on the preparedness of the tourists.

For inexperienced tourists those wishing to try their hand at rafting at the Forest Hotel Vegarus offer a route along the Janisjoki River. The program has two routes to choose from - a length of 7 and 9 kilometers. Rafting takes about 2-2.5 hours. In addition, the program includes a rest at the finish line, where you will be treated to excellent fish soup from local trout. The cost of the tour is from 2,400 rubles per person.

The hotel offers several options for excursions to local attractions. Very interesting trip to a lost village Kinerma It will help you to get acquainted with the culture and history of the local people. In this village are unique monuments architecture dating back to the 16th century.

Mountain park "Ruskeala" is one of the main attractions of Karelia. He is in 36 km from the city of Sortavala, in the vicinity of the village of Ruskeala. The river Tohmajoki flows nearby, which is translated from Finnish as “mad”. Most likely, she received such a name for her skittish character. It was caused by numerous thresholds. The locals also call her Ruskolka from the Karelian word "ruskea" - "redhead". This is the color of the water in the river.

The marble deposit in Ruskeala is considered the largest in the Ladoga region. valuable rock lies at a depth of half a kilometer. The area of ​​the deposit exceeds several tens of square kilometers. The color of marble is varied. It can be gray, bluish, black and even completely white. Frequent stripes give a special color.

From quarry to park

Marble began to be mined in these parts in the middle of the 17th century. More than three hundred years ago, the Swedes ruled this territory. They did not appreciate the natural beauty of the stone and made lime out of it. She in in large numbers required for the construction of residential buildings and fortifications. The field received a new purpose only after the change of owners and the accession of Catherine II. During this period, palaces were actively erected in St. Petersburg and its suburbs, which required a huge amount of marble.

Photo: Local marble has a beautiful pattern

In the summer of 1765, mining masters arrived in Ruskeala to assess the quality of the stone. Marble was found suitable. The Empress issued a corresponding decree, and a year later they began the industrial development of the deposit. Since there were not enough specialists in the capital, stonemasons were brought with their families from the Urals. This is how the village with the romantic name Ruskeala appeared.

It was not easy to transport the mined rock to the capital. At first, stone blocks on sledges or carts were delivered to the village of Helyulya near Serdobol (now Sortavala). There they were loaded onto small ships and transported along Ladoga to St. Petersburg. St. Isaac's and Kazan Cathedrals, the Marble Palace and Mikhailovsky Castle were erected from Ruskeala marble. The development of the deposit ended only in the late 80s of the last century.

In 2005, a natural park appeared on the site of the mining enterprise. Its concept was developed by the Karelian local historian Andrey Gribushin. An illuminated hiking trail was laid around the former quarry. Observation platforms have been set up in the most spectacular places. Developed excursion programs. The new tourist attraction quickly gained popularity. Now during the year it is visited by about 300 thousand tourists! Ruskeala Mining Park is unique because it is the only such facility in Russia.

Hits of Ruskeala

The dominant feature of the mountain park is undoubtedly the quarry itself. It was romantically nicknamed "Marble Canyon". And he deserved that name. The giant niche is filled with water. In fact, this man-made lake. The water in it has a rich emerald hue. The depth sometimes reaches 30 m! The canyon stretches from north to south for 456 m. The width is 109 m. The height of the steep sides reaches 25 m above the water level. It is hard to believe that such beauty is man-made.

The entire space in the vicinity of the quarry is permeated with mine workings. Some of them come to the surface, others are hidden under water. The length of the dungeons available for visiting is hundreds of meters. Particularly impressive are the spacious rooms. They are decorated with marble columns that rise from the bottom of an underground lake. It is only possible to get into them with scuba gear. Particularly impressive man-made caves look like winter. When water freezes, ice stalagmites and stalactites form. Often they resemble fabulous figures of animals and people.

In the northern part of the park there is an entrance to the adit. A hundred years ago, it was struck in the upper underground horizon. From a special bridge here you can see the shaft of an old vertical mine. Picturesque places include the cliffs of Catherine II and Ivan da Marya. Even more impressive is the failure underground lake", by which you can make walking tour by pontoons. And absolutely mesmerizing Italian Quarry"! It traditionally serves as a place for mass photo shoots.

The mountain park is not only an industrial facility, but also natural museum under the open sky. Many plants grow on its territory, which are listed in the Red Book. Rare species of reptiles, amphibians and bats are found here. So that visitors do not engage in spontaneous “mining” of marble, a small working was organized for them, where everyone can take as many samples as they like. In the stone-cutting workshop there is an opportunity to make a souvenir from stone with your own hands.

On the way to the quarry, one cannot pass a picturesque place with seething waterfalls formed by the Tohmajoki River. Before the war they were called "Achinkoski". Translated from Finnish, this means "Waterfalls of the Water". Then they began to be called Ruskeala. The famous film "The Dawns Here Are Quiet" was filmed in these places. After the release of the picture, the newlyweds came here to swear allegiance to each other. Now near the waterfalls there are cafes, souvenir shops, water bike rentals, hiking trails. There is a large car park.

Things to Do in Ruskeala

In addition to hiking trails, park guests are offered boat trips on the lake. Since the number of boats is limited, you may have to queue. But the view from the water is fantastic! Only by boat is it possible to visit some of the grottoes, since the entrance to them is only from the water. If you are too lazy to work with oars, you can ride on a small boat with a motor. It accommodates more than ten people. Such walks are available from May 20 to September 30.

Photo: Boat trip on Marble Lake

Fans of extreme sports are recommended "zipline" - a flight over the abyss on a cable car. The "bungee" is in operation. In winter, dog sledding is popular. Huskies are the driving force. The amazing transparency of the water in the lake attracts divers here. They travel with scuba gear through the labyrinths of flooded quarries. At the bottom of the quarry, old equipment remained - a crane and dump trucks. Visibility under water reaches 14-17 m. Such entertainment is offered not to ordinary visitors, but to experienced divers.

In summer, the park hosts international festival outdoor Ruskeala Symphony. The magnificent acoustics of the canyon make this show especially spectacular. For children, games are organized with the participation of gnomes and other fairy-tale characters. Fire-and Laser show, as well as annual new year holidays. Marble Canyon "lit up" in the films "Shaman", "Dark World", "Golden Trap".

Tours and opening hours

You will have to pay to visit the Mountain Park. You can walk around the area on your own. wishing for additional fee offer tours. There are two routes: a short one ("Marble Canyon") goes around the quarry; long (“Road of Mining Masters”) also includes the failure and the Italian Quarry.

More exotic excursion "Underground Ruskeala". Route length - 850 m. Duration - about one hour. It is held for groups of 4 to 20 people. It should be borne in mind that even in summer you will need warm clothes, since the temperature in the workings does not exceed +80.

Opening hours of the Mountain Park: from November 1 to February 28 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Fri-Sat from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.); from March 1 to April 30 from 10 to 21; from May 1 to August 31 from 9 to 22; from September 1 to October 31 from 10 to 21.

Photo: Tour guide in national Karelian dress

Our tour club offers two programs for visiting the Mountain Park: one of them is held in the warm season with accommodation in tents, and the other in the cold season with hotel accommodation.

Roof over your head

In the village of Ruskeala there is a recreation center. She works all year round. Rooms are designed for 2-8 people. The total capacity is about 90 people. There is a Russian bath, rental of sports equipment and tourist equipment. You can also stay overnight in hotels and apartments in the city of Sortavala.

There are cottages and guest houses, whose guests are offered organized trips to the Mountain Park. There is a campsite near the Ruskeala waterfalls. There are many picturesque places in the vicinity, where individual tourists stay in tents. There are cafes and eateries in the park and near the waterfalls. There are restaurants in Sortavala.

How to get there

Mountain Park coordinates: 61.9475, 30.5865

St. Petersburg and Ruskeala are connected by the A129 highway, which passes through the cities of Priozersk and Sortavala. Distance - 309 km. Estimated travel time is about 5 hours. A train runs from the Ladoga railway station to Kostomuksha, which makes a stop in Sortavala. Then you will have to get by taxi or regular bus. Several times a day he goes to Vartsila through Ruskeala.

Photo: The most convenient way to get to Marble Canyon is by car

From Petrozavodsk by car, you should go along the P21 highway through Kolatselga. Distance - 287 km. Travel time is 4-5 hours. Train No. 680-Ch runs to Sortavala. Further, they get to Ruskeala by taxi or bus. Taxi drivers are waiting for tourists at the railway station. For a group, you can take a minibus.

You are a lover of ancient Slavic and Scandinavian legends, you like to look at ancient monuments, beautiful in their originality.

One of such natural and man-made wonders is the Marble Canyon, located in one of the most interesting and spectacular places on the Karelian land. The view of the canyon is a fairy tale created by nature and man, coming here you will fall in love with Karelia with its birches, lakes and amazing marble quarries!

History and location

At the end of the 17th century, a large marble deposit was found near the Ruskeala region. A beautiful stone, with shades from light gray to a beautiful greenish color, was found in a coniferous forest, near the beautiful Ruskeala waterfalls, places known to us from the film “The Dawns Here Are Quiet”.

It began to be mined on an industrial scale. An excellent material for highly artistic decoration, it was transported throughout Russia, it began to be used as an exquisite finishing material in the construction of St. Isaac's and Kazan Cathedrals, the Tauride, Marble and Winter Palaces in the royal monastery - the city of St. Petersburg.

Before the start of the Russian-Finnish war, the universal quarry where marble was mined was flooded by representatives of the Finnish side in order to create a line of confrontation in that distant and unknown war.

The main quarry is a lake that has the color of a noble jade, complemented by sheer walls made of natural stone, the depth of the lake was more than 100 m.

In the Republic of Karelia, not far from the town of Sortavala, near the village of Ruskeala, there is a magnificent park complex "Ruskeala".

The distinctive feature of this natural monument- a marble canyon, striking in its amazing beauty, having a length of about 500 meters.

weather conditions

Geographically, Karelia is located in the north-west of Russia, on the coast of the majestic White Sea, the climate is mild and changing very quickly.

The winter period in Karelia is marked by abundant snow drifts and frosty weather, and the summer is short and cool, although hot days do occur, but not often. According to weather forecasters, January and February in the republic are distinguished by the coldest weather, but July is the peak of the Karelian summer, when average monthly temperature ranges from +13 °C to +15 °C, and sometimes a weather anomaly occurs and the heat reaches +30 °C.

A little about the beauty of the mountain park Ruskeala

The main quarry, now called the “Ruskeala mountain park”, opened almost 10 years ago, before that, the territory adjacent to it was cleared, footpaths were fenced, free parking was equipped, tourists can rent a boat to swim closer to the walls of the canyon and view marble giants that rise to a height of 20 meters.

The approach to the remaining quarries was abandoned, some were flooded, and the rest continued to be mined for ornamental stone. The gently sloping banks of the quarries have been overgrown with small shrubs and trees for many years; nothing can be seen behind this dense wall. But from the higher and steeper banks, a wonderful view of the quarries flooded with water opens up.

All quarries have a wonderful feature, they differ from one another in the color of water, and therefore they look completely different, remaining beautiful and fascinating corners of Karelian nature.

So far, Russian scientists have not yet come up with technologies to drain flooded quarries, but this will definitely happen, and then how many mysteries will appear before the curious gaze of tourists!

In the wall of one of these quarries, there is a marble grotto - which has become the hallmark of this unique place. You can only get to the grotto by boat, so boat rental is in demand among people who decide to visit Karelian pearl, which is included in 100beautiful corners of Russia

One of the main highlights is the Marble Canyon, which resembles a giant bowl, hollowed out by mountain craftsmen over the course of several years.

How to get to Marble Canyon?

To the park natural origin and the hands of the first mountain masters, you can get there very easily, we offer several routes:

We go by train

The train from St. Petersburg to Kostomuksha runs on odd days. At 21:20 local time, it departs from Ladoga railway station. We arrive at the station - Kaalamo at 04.00 in the morning, then we get by bus to Ruskeala.

Rushing in a private car

From St. Petersburg we leave for the highway "A 121". You need to drive about 130 kilometers to the city of Priozersk, and from it the same distance to Sortavala, after driving another 25 km, you find yourself in the village of Ruskeala.

We get by bus or fixed-route taxi.

Regular buses and fixed-route taxis depart from St. Petersburg to the village of Ruskeala. From the bus station "Severnaya" leaves daily bus route number 805, next to the city of Sortavala. From the metro stations "Prospect Prosveshcheniya" and "Ozerki" - taxis No. 433 and No. 436 depart. And from there, you can take a taxi to the village of Ruskeala or by bus.

What entertainment awaits you

Every tourist who comes to see the most beautiful natural landscape, finds something to his liking and taste, for example:

Divers love to use Marble Lake as a training ground, where they can swim, dive and swim to the most remote corners of the canyon.

For lovers of rafting, extreme routes have been developed along the mountain rivers Tahmajoki and Janisjoki. They begin in the spring and end with the end summer season. The length of the rafting route is 2.5 km, along its entire path, rafting participants will face various obstacles in the form of dams and blockages created by river inhabitants - beavers.

Speleologists and drivers are attracted by the Ice Sink, which arose after a series of explosions in a nearby quarry. The galleries fell into the water, leaving a hole on the surface, resembling an oval, measuring 20x30 meters. In the Ice Hole, a special climate is preserved, in which even in summer, ice does not melt.

Tourists really like visiting the Ruskeala waterfalls, and the most beautiful, in their opinion, is the Akhvenkoski waterfall, which means “Perch Threshold”, next to the waterfalls, the shooting of the famous film directed by Stanislav Rostotsky “The Dawns Here Are Quiet” took place. In summer, many people prefer to take water procedures, in the very place where the heroine of the film, the beautiful Zhenya Komelkova, swam!

Where can you stay overnight?

The Ruskeala recreation center offers guests a wood-fired sauna for rent throughout the season; fishing enthusiasts are offered boats and tackle for fishing. The recreation center develops interesting excursion routes for vacationers in the Mountain Park and picturesque waterfalls, at very reasonable prices.

The price for accommodation is 2000 rubles per day per person.

At a distance of 13 km on the shores of the beautiful lake Janisyarvi, there is another recreation center with the poetic name "Black Stones". The tourist center "Black Stones" offers vacationers accommodation options in a hotel or cottage.

The cost of living is from 1850 rubles per day per person.

What souvenirs to bring from Karelia?

So that, as they say in the song “Karelia will dream for a long time”, you have a piece of Karelia left in your memory, bring home local souvenirs, they are here huge selection. You can buy Zaonezhsky embroideries of craftswomen, incomparable examples of Karelian culture passed down from mother to daughter, linen shirts and bags are also in demand, products made from Karelian birch, which, according to legend, is a protector tree for a person wearing products from it, have a special chic .

Birch is used to make various women's jewelry and colorful boxes, painted according to local motifs. Souvenir products are represented by all kinds of magnets and mugs, with views park complex Ruskeala.

The mountain park "Ruskeala" has been functioning for almost ten years. It was opened for mass visits in 2005. Its creation was sponsored by the travel company "Kolmas Karelia". "Ruskeala" is very popular today. This place has become so famous for a reason. Tens of thousands of tourists visit it every year.

General information

The monument is called "Ruskeala Marble Breaks of the 17th - Early 20th Centuries". At present, the creation of such a complex is a positive and infrequent phenomenon in Russia. This example clearly demonstrates how an object can be revived with private funds. cultural heritage. The place itself is unique. Here, a rare symbiosis of the mining museum of the past centuries and the natural attractions that Karelia is famous for has been recreated. "Ruskeala" is a truly unique ensemble. Its natural beauty can be admired at any time of the year.

Special atmosphere

Three quarries were formed here as a result of marble mining. They are located next to the left bank of the Tohmajoki River. The quarries are interconnected by adits. Soon, work on the extraction of stone ceased. The quarries were abandoned. On the site of ancient quarries, picturesque Oni appeared - white marble thickets filled with clear blue-green water. At present, the inactive adits and mines resemble mysterious grottoes and caves.

Local Attractions

The marble quarry "Ruskeala" is the main attraction of the complex. This place is a monument of industrial culture of the XVIII-XX centuries. Ruskeala Park is officially included in the list of cultural heritage Russian Federation. This monument is unique. There is no other such complex anywhere in Europe. This is a kind of man-made "bowl" from a solid marble array. It is pierced by systems of drifts, galleries and mines. Facing blocks were mined here for many architectural structures city ​​of St. Petersburg. The majestic St. Isaac's Cathedral is also no exception. A variety of buildings were decorated with Ruskeala marble. It has a stunning color: white with greenish flashes. Some metro stations are still decorated with this marble.

Quarry marble "Ruskeala"

Its length is about four hundred and fifty meters. It's pretty deep. The quarry is currently flooded. Water rises to the upper underground horizon. The Finns did this before the war began in the 40s. Most of the adits that were formed in the first half of the last century are under water. Only one of them is located above this level. This adit was formed in the bowels mountain ranges in the 30s. A path was built inside it, along which trolleys with marble moved. It is connected to shaft No. 2. It was along it that the workers moved. The mine goes deep into the mountain at a distance of about two hundred meters. mound railway, along which the trolleys moved, is still preserved.

picturesque views

Outwardly, the marble quarry "Ruskeala" makes a tremendous impression. Gray-white rocks descend down to its heavily indented shores. Rocks go deep into a huge distance. There is a regular excursion to Ruskeala. The canyon has its own pier. Here guests can use the rental service and take a boat. While traveling on it, you can look at the canyon from the water. A certain part of the blocks hangs over this space at a negative angle. Travelers can also admire the views of the grottoes. They were formed in sheer cliffs. The play of light on the marble ceiling attracts the eyes of tourists for a long time. The grottoes really look very picturesque. White and vaults are reflected in the calm water surface.

Precautionary measures

There are also dry adits here. However, tourists are strictly forbidden to visit them. This requires the support of a geologist. The heat outside means that the marble adit is cold. You can feel the dankness as you go deeper into the layer. It's hard to imagine what it was like working here. The Quarry Board provided some data from that time. During peak periods, mining was carried out year-round. The drilling process did not stop day or night.

Fundamental differences

There is the main, most famous and visited quarry "Ruskeala". Around it were located several more abandoned ones. Currently, activities are underway to develop them. Most quarries are different from each other. This applies not only to the types of coasts. This also applies to the color of the water. For example, in one career it may be gray, and in another - blue. The main one is slightly different from the rest. The water in this quarry is bluish-green in color. Over time, the walls here have darkened and weathered. This happened during the time when there were no developments in the quarries. However, this does not prevent tourists from seeing their true color. It can be observed on freshly chipped marble pieces. They are quite common. The old "block" quarry is special in this respect. Here you can see the most striking manifestations of picturesque stone. It was in this quarry that marble was mined in large blocks.

Underground research

The speleological commission of St. Petersburg was engaged in the development of a multi-year expeditionary project. It is called "Underground Karelia". Speleologists were engaged in the study in 2010. The mountain park "Ruskeala" and the Marble failure became the main objects of research. The latter is located very close to the place where the main excursion route by the complex.

Features of the complex

IN winter period The marble quarry "Ruskeala" looks no less attractive. At this time of the year, the lake is covered with ice. Therefore, it is very easy to get to the mysterious grottoes and adits. One of these places is called musical for its unusual acoustic properties. In winter, "Ruskeala failure" strikes with its magnificence.

It becomes like an ice castle, the columns of which have the most bizarre shapes. There is art lighting here. It helps the majestic canyon to light up with bright colors after dark. Marble Quarry (Karelia) (a map of the area is given in the article) is a favorite place where divers love to conduct their training. As a rule, they do this in the most remote corners of the quarry, so they do not interfere with the bulk of visitors at all. Several quarries are flooded here. The adits connecting them also ended up in the water. The Ruskeala canyon (the map clearly demonstrates this) included only three functioning underground horizons that were used for mining. Diving enthusiasts will find this place paradise. Tempting labyrinths will not leave anyone indifferent. At the very bottom of the canyon, some equipment is still preserved. For example, motorcycles, cars and even a crane. All this attracts those who are engaged in techno diving. The water here is clear. Muti is practically non-existent. Aquatic vegetation is also absent. In autumn, however, leaves that drop birch trees can fly.

Local staff keep the marble quarry "Ruskeala" clean. Workers periodically make trips to the lake and clean it of debris. Traces of people's presence are preserved everywhere: papers, plastic bottles etc. However, visitors litter quite a bit. The guests must be mesmerized by the majestic beauty of the flooded quarry. Pollute the picturesque Mountain Lake conscience does not allow. On the territory of the mountain park, not only the ancient ones have been preserved. There are also other historical objects. For example, the old administrative building. It is made in the style of classicism. The building is entirely made of Ruskeala marble. On the territory of the complex there are monuments of industrial architecture of the XIX century. They are kilns that were designed for burning lime. Their brick pipes are conical in shape. The existing quarry will also be of interest to tourists. You can watch the process of mining large marble blocks. Currently, these objects are not included in the mountain park. For this reason, they are poorly adapted for tourist excursions.

"Ruskeala" (recreation center). General information

Lots of guests are waiting here. positive emotions. The complex is located in the Sortavala region. This South part Karelia. From St. Petersburg to this place about three hundred kilometers. The Ruskeala complex, the photo of which is presented in the article, can receive guests all year round. The base is equipped with everything necessary for their comfortable stay. The rooms can accommodate from two to eight people. There are special rooms for honeymooners and families with children. Together with parents, a child, even an infant, can be accommodated here.

Entertainment

Guests can organize a picnic on site. Barbecue available. Guests can bake fish and cook kebabs. Wood burning sauna available for rent. It is located on the shore of the lake. On the basis of "Ruskeala" a rather extensive program for vacationers has been developed. For example, you can safely go fishing, visit Lake Valaam or see waterfalls and friendly and polite staff work at the camp site. Even if guests are not prepared for fishing, they can get bait, tackle and even professional fishing advice.

Where is the attraction located?

The features of the Ruskeala marble quarry are described above. How to get to this place? You can go through Priozersk from St. Petersburg by car. The path will run through Sortavala along the A-129 highway. In the city itself, you should go along the main road towards Petrozavodsk. From Sortavala, at the 10th km, there will be a turn to the A-130 highway. After Priozersk, a rather winding road begins. Total time, which will have to be spent on the whole journey - 4-5 hours.

Mountain park, marble quarry and canyon, recreation center, system underground caves and adits - all this and much more is located in the village of Ruskeala, Sortavalsky district of the Republic of Karelia.

Ruskeala is one of the most spectacular and beautiful sights of Karelia. Here you can visit the mysterious grottoes, admire the multi-colored tints of marble walls, enjoy the views of nature from the observation platforms.

The main attraction of the park is the marble canyon. It was flooded a long time ago and the water in it is of a magnificent emerald color, which, in combination with snow-white rocks, gives rise to an incredibly picturesque image that attracts the eye. A walk along the marble canyon gives an unforgettable pleasant feeling of tranquility, harmony and aesthetic pleasure. I want to stop time to admire and admire this miracle of nature.

Story marble quarry Ruskeala.

Even before the start Northern war Ruskel marble was mined by the Swedes for personal use. In 1766, a certain Samuil Alopeus drew the attention of the Russian authorities to local marble. And now, since 1768, in Ruskeala, by decree of Catherine II, active mining has begun. marble stone for the construction of palaces and cathedrals in St. Petersburg. Ruskeala marble was used in the construction St. Isaac's Cathedral, for facing the Marble Palace and the Hermitage, for laying floors in the Kazan Cathedral. Ruskeala marble was also used in the construction of palaces in Pushkin, Pavlovsk and Strelna.

In 1854, active marble mining ceased. Ruskeala marble began to be burnt into lime and crushed into rubble, beautiful marble, which was not used for decorative purposes, was simply destroyed.

Since 1898, the Finns rented the marble deposit, but they also used marble in the form of crushed stone.

During the war with Finland, the marble quarries were flooded. According to some reports, the Finns themselves did this, according to others, the rock was damaged from long-term blasting after air raids Soviet aviation could not stand it and gave way to the water of the Tohmajoki River, which flows nearby.

In Soviet times, marble mining resumed, but by the 1970s, the rocks were so damaged that large-scale work had to be stopped. However, marble was still used, it was used to line the Ladozhskaya and Primorskaya stations of the St. Petersburg metro, and also turned it into lime and crushed stone at a factory located nearby.

Since 2002, the fate of the flooded marble quarry has changed dramatically - it has become a tourist attraction in Karelia.

Today, Ruskeala marble can also be seen in the cladding of some buildings in Helsinki and Sortavala.

Ruskeala mountain parkToday.

Even before entering the mountain park, visitors can enjoy many services and entertainment. On the territory of the park there is a large guarded parking lot, there are many souvenir shops in the form of traditional Russian huts and even a small amusement park. There is also a cafe with a kitchen on the coals, where they will gladly feed every hungry tourist.

Having bought a ticket and passing through a beautiful carved arch, you will find well-groomed and lined with Ruskeala marble paths around the canyon, many benches from which a delightful view of the canyon itself opens. Following further along the marble paths, you find yourself in an old marble adit, going deep into the rocks for more than 200 meters. There is a cool atmosphere all year round, and ice lies at a depth.

Following further, you can see the path going to the right. It leads to the Ruskeala abyss. This is a wonderful place located underground, where ice lies all year round, regardless of the temperature outside. The entrance there was formed during the Finnish War, when the rock, which could not withstand the bombing, collapsed. However, it will not be possible to go down there without special equipment and experience, but by special agreement with the administration, the descent can be organized. At the moment, in the plans for the development of the Ruskeala mountain park there is a point for the improvement of the Ruskeala failure. It is planned not only to organize a convenient entrance for everyone, but also an underground skating rink, and even a cinema in one of the caves.

In summer you can go boating in the marble canyon. However, on weekends, when there are the most visitors to the canyon, in order to take a boat for an hour, you need to sign up for a queue. But it's worth it. The purest, green water is visible 15-18 meters deep.

For thrill-seekers, several breathtaking rides are organized in the park:

• cliff jump. You are given the opportunity to jump with insurance from the cliff of the marble canyon. The free fall height is 8 meters from a height of 24 meters. A storm of positive emotions and impressions is guaranteed.
• Passage through the canyon on a rope bridge. At a height of more than 24 meters, three ropes are stretched: one must go along, and hold on to the other two. In the conditions of real mountaineering, only two ropes are used, here, in order to pass, you do not need to have special skills and experience. Everyone can test their strength and get a sea of ​​unforgettable emotions.
• Trolls. A cable from one of the most high points marble quarry to one of the lowest. Water splashes, wind and breathtaking speed, as well as the opportunity to feel like a special forces soldier, overcoming a gorge in the mountains - this is what attracts tourists to this attraction.

Diving enthusiasts also have the opportunity to dive into the waters of the marble canyon and enjoy the views hidden from the eyes of ordinary people.

When night falls on the mountain park, the entire marble quarry is illuminated by many multi-colored spotlights, which gives rise to a magnificent, bewitching and admiring view.

Working hours of Ruskeala mountain park, services and prices.

The Marble Park is open in summer from 9 am to midnight, in autumn and spring from 10 am to 9 pm, in winter from 10 am to 7 pm on weekdays, and on Friday and Saturday until 22.00.

Prices:

• Entrance - 150 rubles full, 100 rubles for students, 50 - for schoolchildren, and for children under 7 years old admission is free.
• Boat trip (1 boat / 1 hour) - 250 rubles.
• Excursion ( short route, a group of 4 to 25 people) - 250 rubles for an adult, 80 rubles for a school student and 150 rubles for students. Children under 7 years old are free.
• Excursion ( long route, a group of 4 to 25 people) - 350 rubles for an adult, 80 rubles for a school student and 150 rubles for students. Children under 7 years old are free.
• For foreign citizens translation services are provided - 100 rubles per person.
• Jump from a cliff - 350 rubles.
• Passage on the rope bridge - 350 rubles.
• Trolley ride - 600 rubles

*prices are as of June 2013.

Every year the popularity of this place is growing more and more. Excursions and tours are organized here from all over Karelia, the Leningrad region and Finland. Karelia, marble canyon, picturesque mountains and forests, architectural monuments - these places seem to be created so that everyone can appreciate the splendor northern nature. From bizarre shapes mysterious caves and the dungeons are breathtaking. And the impressions received remain in the memory for a long time and it is difficult to describe them in words, because it is not enough to talk about such things, it is worth seeing.

How to get to the marble quarry:

Ruskeala quarry is located 25 km from Karelian city Sortavala. From the highway Sortavala - Yarn, after passing the village of Helyulya, you need to turn left at the sign for Vartsel. Having passed and visited the wonderful waterfalls on the Tohmajoki River, after 400 meters turn left onto the second turn.

Read a detailed plan of how and on what you can get to the marble quarry with photos and with a mark on the map.