Lake Onega origin. Lake Onega area: general information, characteristics and location

Lake Onega is the second largest lake in Europe. In terms of an area equal to 9900 km 2, it ranks fourth among the large lakes of Russia. Its maximum depth does not exceed 120 m. The main tributaries of Lake Onega are Shuya, Suna and Vodla. River flows out of it. Svir.

Lake basin of tectonic origin; it was largely reshaped as a result of the activity of the glacier. The influence of the work of glaciers is especially noticeable in its northern part, which is distinguished by the indentation of the coastline: there are many narrow bays deeply protruding into the land, elongated from northwest to southeast, i.e. in the direction of movement of the glacier.

The relief of the lake bottom is characterized by a complex structure and extreme uneven distribution of depths. This Lake Onega, as well as Ladoga, stands out sharply from other large lakes in the world. Approximately along the line Petrozavodsk - the mouth of the Vodla, the lake basin is divided into two sharply different parts: northern and southern. South part it has a flat bottom topography and is relatively great depths. Here, in turn, several morphologically distinct parts can be distinguished: 1) Svir Bay, 2) Svir Onego, 3) Southern Onego and 4) Central Onego.

The northern part of the lake basin is characterized by extremely sharp fluctuations in depths, the presence of numerous long and deep depressions or pits separated by elevated sections of the bottom. A large number of shoals, capes, islands and bays gives this part of the lake an skerry character. Separate parts of the lake have independent names: Big Onego, Petrozavodsk Bay, Kondopoga Bay, Lizhma Bay, etc. The largest bay in the northern part of the lake is Povenetskaya, it has a length of about 100 km.

The northern coast is rocky, while the southern, eastern and western coast mostly formed by a chain sand dunes reaching a height of 15-18 m in places, behind which swamps are sometimes located. The entire deep-water part of the lake basin is filled with light gray-green silts, and the shallow coastal parts of the lake are filled with wood, pebbles and boulders.

The amplitude of fluctuations in the lake level is small and amounts to 50-55 cm per year; its long-term values ​​are 1.8-19 m, depending on the nature of the weather in a given year, there is a different type of annual variation in the water level, however, for the most part, the course of the level corresponds to the type of regime with a distinct, albeit low, spring flood. In the secular course of the lake level, a certain cyclicity is observed, which is in good agreement with the course of atmospheric precipitation.

It is interesting to note that in 1854 engineer Stabrovsky recorded seiches on Lake Onega for the first time in Russia. This was done many years before the seichi Lake Geneva began to be studied by Trout.

The water balance of Lake Onega on average over a long period (1887-1939) according to calculations made by 3.A. Vikulina; characterized by the following data (Table 1).

Table 1. Water balance of Lake Onega

The transparency of the lake water is relatively low, less than in Lake Ladoga. The white disk, lowered into the water, usually ceases to be visible at a depth of 4 m. The water of the lake in the mass has a slightly brownish color due to the large influx of swamp waters; its mineralization is very weak and amounts to 30-40 mg / l, and its hardness is not more than 1 German degree. Highest values(17°) water temperature reaches in August; in the bottom layers, even in the hottest periods, the temperature is not higher than 4 °. In the warm part of the year, the shock layer is well expressed and is located at a depth of 20–25 m.

The process of freezing of Lake Onega begins from the coastal shallow parts and gradually captures the central deep water areas, which are covered with ice much later due to large stock heat in the water and excitement; this process lasts about 1.5-2 months - from mid-November to the end of January. Clearing the lake of ice begins in the southern part of the reservoir in mid or late April. Most of the lake opens in the first decade of May, and central part- in the middle of this month. Lake Onega is part of the White Sea-Baltic waterway and is the regulator of the Svir flow, the water energy of which is used for hydroelectric purposes.

There are thousands of reservoirs on our beautiful planet, each of which is interesting and significant in its own way. We will tell you about Lake Onega - covered in legends, glorified by our famous ancestors, bewitching with its pristine beauty. They say that in winter you can hear the sun rise here, there is such silence around. But in summer, the shores of Lake Onega are drowned in the trills and chirping of hundreds of birds. Once here, it is as if you find yourself in another dimension, where tangible and visible reality is intertwined with history that you can touch with your hand.

Where is Lake Onega located

This reservoir is located in Russia, in the north-west of its European part. Approximately 80% of its area is located on the lands of Karelia, and the remaining 20% ​​is divided between the Leningrad and Vologda regions.

To the Onega Bay, which belongs to the water area White Sea, shortest distance from the lake (through forests and swamps) is 147 km. In 1933, the construction of the White Sea Canal with a length of 227 km was completed. It originates from the village of Povenets, which is located on the shores of the Povenets Bay of the lake, and ends near Belomorsk, a town with a population of about 10 thousand people located in the Soroka Bay of the White Sea. Thus, an exit was created from Lake Onega to the seas of the Northern Arctic Ocean. The nearest neighbor of the described reservoir is Lake Ladoga. In a straight line to it 127 km. The Svir river connects Onega and Ladoga. If you move along its winding channel, you will have to overcome 224 km.

The cities of Petrozavodsk, Medvezhyegorsk and Kondopoga, which grew up on its shores, can serve as landmarks for the location of Lake Onega. They are located in the northern part of the reservoir. Its southern shores are sparsely populated. But here the Onega Canal passes, on the way of which there is a small, but fishy Megorskoye Lake.

Historical facts

Studying native nature is extremely interesting. Now in the arsenal of scientists there are many the latest technologies, for example, isotope and radionuclide methods, spectral analysis. With their help, it was possible to establish that Lake Onega appeared on the site of a shelf sea 300-400 million years BC. e. (Paleozoic, approximately Carbon-Devon period). It washed the shores of the Baltic - that was the name of the then-existing continent. In those times in sea ​​waters there were many protozoans that had shells. Dying, they sank to the bottom, forming a layer of limestone. In addition, many rivers flowed into the sea, carrying grains of sedimentary rocks with them. Now a layer of limestones, sandstones and clays forms a layer about 200 meters thick in the lake. It lies on a solid foundation of granite, gneiss and diabase, which appeared as a result of volcanic activity.

The origin of Lake Onega is associated with the height of the glacier then reached more than 3 km. Moving, huge white blocks easily plowed the earth's firmament, fundamentally changing the relief. This is also characteristic of the Baltic Shield, on which Lake Onega is located. About 12 thousand years ago, the glacier retreated. The marks left by him filled with water, forming large and small lakes. One of them was named Onego. The exact etymology of the word is unknown, there are only unconfirmed theories. People began to settle on the banks of this reservoir, as evidenced by numerous petrographers that have survived to this day.

Geographic characteristics

This is the second after Lake Ladoga body of water in Europe. His total area(with all the islands) is 9720 km 2, and coastline stretched for 1,542 km. The depth of Lake Onega is different. There are places where it reaches 127 meters, but closer to the coast and in small backwaters it does not exceed 1.5-2 meters. Thus, the average depth of the reservoir is about 30 meters.

The famous lake does not have a regular geometric shape. We can only say that it is somewhat elongated from the northwest to the southeast. In the northern part, there is the Big Onego Bay, which cuts deep into the land. Taking it into account, the maximum length of the reservoir is 245 km, and maximum width- 91.6 km.

coast

Bypassing Lake Onega, you can see that its shores are indented by large and small bays, bays and capes. In addition to Big Onego, there is Small Onego, as well as Povenetsky and Zaonezhsky bays. The bays in the northern waters of the lake are Povenetskaya, Velikaya, Shchepikha, Konda, Petrozavodskaya, Bolshaya Lizhemskaya, Unitskaya, Kondopozhskaya. There is only one lip - Svirskaya.

The appearance of the coast is also different. In the more "wild" south, forests give way to shallows, which are sandy or rocky. Also in this part there are many impregnable rocks and picturesque, but dangerous swamps.

northern shores are characterized by unusual geological protrusions called "ram's foreheads". They are polished by a moving glacier rocks(gneisses, granites), gentle on one side and steep on the other.

Islands

In the European part of Russia, Lake Onega is not only one of the largest, but also a reservoir with a huge number of islands. There are more than 1500 of them here! These areas of land, protruding above the water surface, are large and very tiny, famous throughout the world and unknown to anyone, rocky and covered with dense forests.

The largest island is called Bolshoi Klimetsky. Its area is 147 km2. The natural attraction here is Mount Medvezhitsa, whose height is 82 meters. There are several villages on Bolshoy Klimetsky, there is a secondary school. There are no monuments of nature and history here. Communication with the mainland is carried out by ferry crossing.

The second largest island is called Bolshoy Lelikovsky. It is about 6 times smaller than B. Klimetsky. People also live on this island, but public buildings, except for a small shop, is not here.

If you ask what is the most famous island on Lake Onega, any person will immediately name Kizhi. Its area is only 5 km2, its length is 5.5 km, and its width is 1.4 km. You can get around this piece of land in a couple of hours, but the glory of its borders knows no bounds. Here is the museum-reserve of the same name, created on the basis of as well as an architectural ensemble, included in the number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It is an ensemble of two churches (twelve-domed and seven-domed) and a bell tower. According to legend, the church “about 12 chapters” of the Transfiguration of the Lord was built by a local craftsman without a single nail. So that no one could repeat his creation, he threw the ax into the lake.

Another island that I would like to mention is called Suisaari (or Suisari). It rises above the water in the Kondopoga Bay. Island in given time uninhabited, but there is an old village that has the status of a historical monument. Quartz and chalcedony were found on Suisaari, and agates are also found here. Most of the land is occupied by forest, in which even bears are found. The shores of the island are heavily swamped. There are many bird nests in the reeds.

Rivers of Lake Onega

More than 1,000 rivers and streams carry their waters into the reservoir we are describing, and only one river flows out of it - the Svir. It is quite full-flowing, has a length of 224 km, connects the Ladoga and Onega lakes. The width of the Svir can vary from 100 meters to 12 km. The river is navigable. A cascade of hydroelectric power stations was built on it, the largest of which is Verkhnesvirskaya. Svir is interesting in that there is the Storozhensky lighthouse (it is the second in Russia and the seventh in the world in height) and the Nizhnesvirsky reserve.

About 50 rivers flowing into the Onega are over 10 km long. The most famous are Suna, Gimerka, Vodla, Losinka, Chebinka, Neglinka, Anga, Pyalma and others.

Climate

The weather in the area of ​​Lake Onega is windy and changeable. Storms on the reservoir are so frequent that they even dug the Onega Canal in its southern part to ensure safer passage of ships to the Svir River.

Winters here in some years can be mild with temperatures not lower than -4 °C, but more often there are quite noticeable frosts down to -15 °C, and sometimes down to -30 °C. Winter lasts 120 days. In November - December, an ice cover forms in the bays and along the coast, and by mid-January it spreads to the entire lake, except for the most deep places. In some years, the water here remains open all winter.

Strong winds can crack ice, forming cracks. Then the white blocks crawl one on top of the other. It turns out peculiar mountains several meters high.

The ice breaks by May, but sometimes you can find floating ice floes in June.

The warmest and most suitable months for relaxing here are July and August. The water temperature in shallow water can warm up to +22 °C, but most often reaches +17 °C. The ambient air temperature during the day rises to +30 °C, and the average values ​​are around +20 °C.

The weather in this area is not only windy, but also rainy. The water balance of the lake is replenished by 25% every year due to precipitation. Rain falls steadily throughout the summer.

Flora

Lake Onega is extraordinarily beautiful. Its shores froze in a severe charm. They silently frame the water surface, sparkling in the sun with golden highlights. The water in the lake is so clean and transparent that the bottom can be seen at a depth of 4 meters or more. Some islands and parts of the coast are covered with dense virgin forests of coniferous trees, but deciduous copses are also found here. Spruces, pines, firs, larches are the main higher plants that make up the Onega biome. Only occasionally does a glance catch a birch, an alder and an aspen. Bypassing the environs of Lake Onega, you can find euonymus, honeysuckle, and currants in the undergrowth. Carpets of blueberries and lingonberries spread under your feet, cranberries can be found in the swamps, and the mushroom season opens in the second half of summer.

On swampy shores and shallow waters, the shores are overgrown with reeds and cattails, which is very valuable for many birds. Some bays are adorned with lilies and water lilies, and sour, wintergreen, horsetails and other herbaceous plants grow green on the banks.

Fauna

The surroundings of Lake Onega are full of life. Geese, ducks, swans nest in the reeds. Cranes, terns, eagle owls, grebes, herbalists also fly here. Woodpeckers, jays, tits, and many other small birds live in the forests.

The animal world is also widely represented. Local residents have repeatedly seen hares, squirrels, ermines, and roe deer in the surrounding forests. They say that bears are also found here, because their droppings are often found.

In the expanses of water and on the shores, seals can be observed. They swim here for food. There are a lot of fish in Lake Onega. About 54 species of fish live here, including whitefish, smelt, grayling, pike perch, perch, eel, sabrefish, silver bream, pike, bream and others.

Fishing on Lake Onega is productive at any time of the year. You can fish from the shore and from the water, which is more preferable. The depth of the bays of 40-100 meters allows the use of motorized vessels.

Settlements

The most famous and largest city that grew up on the shoreline of Lake Onega is the capital of Karelia (Petrozavodsk). It is called the city of labor and military glory, the historical and cultural center of the Prionezhsky district. People lived in this area as early as 6000 BC. e., as evidenced by the numerous sites found. But the city itself was founded by Peter I, who founded an arms factory here. Petrozavodsk is interesting for its historical monuments, architectural ensembles and the fact that interesting festivals are held here - Hyperborea, Air, White Nights of Karelia, as well as a sailing regatta.

Kondopoga is another city on the banks of the Onega, located 54 km from Petrozavodsk. It has been mentioned in historical chronicles since 1495. From the 18th century, marble began to be mined near it, which was used to build the palaces of St. Petersburg. IN last years The city authorities are actively developing tourism here. Of interest are the Assumption Church, built at the end of the 18th century, but restored twice, two carillons of bells, as well as leisure. The city stands on the banks of the Kondopoga Bay. The depth of Lake Onega here is up to 80 meters, which allows both amateur and commercial fishing. Its species composition in this area of ​​the lake is incredibly rich, and the bite is excellent.

Medvezhyegorsk. This is the northernmost and youngest city on the Onega. Its history began in 1915 with the construction of the railway. stations Bear mountain. There are no unique attractions here, but this town is an excellent starting point for traveling along Onega.

On the shores of the lake there are many small towns and villages where tourists can find comfortable conditions for recreation. Among them are Pyalma, Povenets, Pindushi, Shalsky and others.

Ecology

In the northern water area of ​​the lake, environmental indicators are much worse than the southern one. This is due to the fact that about 90% of industry and more than 80% of the population are concentrated here. Every year, thousands of tons of waste are dumped into Lake Onega, including phenols, lead, sulfur oxides, waste reclamation water, and sewage.

Attractions

Interesting places in the vicinity of Lake Onega, several dozen. All of them can be divided into monuments of nature and history. It is more convenient to get to both of them by water. Land routes in many sections are so broken that only an SUV can overcome them.

You can visit the lake not only the island of Kizhi. Of great interest are the petroglyphs concentrated on the eastern shore of the reservoir. There are over 800 drawings here.

Tourists are always taken to Cape Besov Nos. It is famous for its hooked shape, as well as for its many rock paintings that adorn it.

Damn chair. This is an unusual formation in the rock near the village of Solomennoye. The height of the "seat" is 80 meters above sea level, and the height of the "back" is 113 meters. Damn chair formed glaciers. They say that if you sit on its edge and make a wish, it will certainly come true.

The Kivach waterfall on the Suna River was more powerful before the construction of the dam, but even now it fascinates with its power and beauty. There is also a reserve of the same name.

From man-made monuments in the vicinity of Onega there are dozens of old functioning and already closed wooden temples. Each one is interesting in its own way. You can select Murom monastery in the village of Pudozh, the Museum of Marcial Waters, the Church of the Great Martyr Barbara.

Rest

Tourists come to the lake to relax both "savage" and civilized. In the first case, there are many possibilities and suitable places for breakdown campground. It is advisable to take into account that best weather they stand here in August, but during the same period there is a massive breeding of mosquitoes and midges.

You can also stay in guest houses, which are now available in almost every coastal village. Mini-hotels will not only offer sleeping area, but also feed, rent a boat and fishing tackle.

Fishing on Lake Onega is the main entertainment for men. Guest houses are ideal for comfortable rest fishermen, because guests have the opportunity to take a steam bath in a Russian bathhouse, cook a catch on the grill, and sleep in a clean bed.

55 km from the city of Petrozavodsk operates a sanatorium " Martial waters”, which began its work in 1719. Allergy, skin diseases, cardiovascular system, lungs, joints, bone apparatus, nervous diseases, digestive organs are treated here. Vacationers are offered comfortable rooms with amenities, delicious food. Therapeutic and diagnostic procedures are carried out according to modern technologies.

Legends and myths

Lake Onega attracts many people with mysterious phenomena that take place in its vicinity.

The local population and tourists often see wandering lights, dark figures. Some even hear bells ringing and voices. These phenomena are most often observed in places of mass graves or where there used to be pagan sanctuaries.

There are also many documented cases that occurred in the vicinity of Lake Onega with people and give rise to assumptions that there are time and energy faults here.

The most sensational occurred in 1073 on the island of Bolshoy Klimetsky with A.F. Pulkin, fleet captain, deviator. He grew up in these places, he knows every path here. While fishing on the island, Pulkin went deep into the forest for firewood. The captain came ashore after 34 days. Pulkin could not explain where he had been all this time, and why the rescue teams could not find him.

Another strange story happened to the students. They came to the island to rest. But as soon as their boat moored to the shore, the guys felt an incredible energy impact in the form of vibration and an unpleasant buzz that caused a headache. All this stopped as soon as the students set sail from the shore.

In 2009, an incredible incident happened to the girl Anya (age 6). Her family arrived at Lake Onega to relax as "savages". Dad pitched a tent, lit a fire. Mom made dinner. Anya was playing nearby, but suddenly disappeared. The parents searched all around. The father rushed into the forest, constantly calling his daughter loudly. Mom stayed near the tent. The girl was nowhere to be found. Imagine the amazement of the parents when, after looking into the tent for the tenth time, they saw their daughter peacefully sleeping there. This story ended happily, except for the fact that Anya's eye color changed, curly hair straightened, old moles disappeared and new ones appeared. Parents are also embarrassed that the girl often speaks in a dream in a language unknown to anyone.

There are many similar stories among the locals. Lake Onega, beautiful and majestic, keeps many secrets and is waiting for their discoverers.

The average depth of the lake is 31 m, the maximum depth in the deepest northern part of the lake reaches 127 m. The average depth in the central part is 50-60 m, closer to the south the bottom rises to 20-30 m. bottom depressions. In the northern part of the lake there are many troughs, alternating with high bottom rises, forming banks, on which industrial trawlers often fish. Much of the bottom is covered with silt. Typical forms are luds (shallow stony shoals), selgas (deep-water elevations of the bottom with stony and sandy soils, in the southern part of the lake), underwater ridges and ridges, as well as depressions and pits. Such a relief creates favorable conditions for the life of fish. The regime of Lake Onega is characterized by a spring rise in water, which lasts 1.5-2 months, with an annual water level amplitude of up to 0.9-1 m. The flow from the lake is regulated by the Verkhnesvirskaya hydroelectric power station. Rivers bring up to 74% of the incoming part of the water balance (15.6 km 3 per year), 25% falls on precipitation. 84% of the expenditure part of the water balance falls on the runoff from the lake along the Svir River (an average of 17.6 km 3 per year), 16% - on evaporation from the water surface. The highest water levels of the lake are in June - August, the lowest - in March - April. There are frequent unrest, storm waves reach up to 2.5 m in height. The lake freezes in the central part in mid-January, in the coastal part and in the bays - in late November - December. At the end of April, the mouths of the tributaries are opened, the open part of the lake - in May. The water in the open deep parts of the lake is transparent, with visibility up to 7-8 m. In the bays it is slightly less, up to one meter or less. The water is fresh, with a mineralization of 10 mg/l.

This reservoir has an interesting shape - towards the north it stretches with tentacles-bays, its shores are dotted with many headlands, there are also islands overgrown with lush vegetation. Lake Onego is the second largest freshwater reservoir in Europe, it is sometimes compared with the majestic Ladoga and is called its younger sister.

As you know, it is almost twice as large as Onega, but they were formed at the same time.

The history of the origin of the lake

On the surface of the Earth, this reservoir appeared as soon as the last glaciers on it retreated and melted, filling the purest water huge pits that existed long before the formation of the glaciers themselves. Scientists claim that the reason for their appearance was faults and shifts in the earth's crust in ancient geological eras.

The deep waters of this mysterious lake saw many amazing creatures that settled here many thousands of years ago. Who knows, perhaps their descendants still live at the bottom of the reservoir.

The lake has an oblong shape, its maximum length, taking into account the mouths of the rivers flowing into it, is 245 km. Its widest part is 91 km long.

About 50 rivers flow into this reservoir, while only one flows out - the Svir. The maximum depth of the reservoir reaches 107 meters, while the average depth is 30 meters. In terms of purity and transparency of water, Onego is comparable only with the famous one.

Coastline

The reservoir deservedly enjoys unprecedented popularity among tourists who like to explore the remote corners of the country. It is worth noting that the two parts of the lake are strikingly different from each other in the outline of the shores and their structure.

The southern part (the so-called Central Onega Lake) is a wide stretch. It is here that the greatest depths are concentrated, and the shores amaze with their diversity - these are rocks and sandbars, and swamps.

Nature itself divided the northern part of the reservoir into two picturesque bays, which are called the Small and Big Onega Lakes. They stretched out towards the north, cutting their cold waters into the southern edge of the Baltic Crystalline Shield. Thanks to excellent natural conditions, is well developed here.

Islands of Lake Onega

The surface of the beautiful Lake Onega is literally dotted with numerous islands. In total there are more than 1.5 thousand of them - large and small, rocky and covered with vegetation. The largest are the islands of Bolshoy Lelikovsky, Klimetsky, Suysari. One of the most famous among them - reserved island Kizhi, known for its unique monuments of folk architecture.

Some of the islands are wild, they are rarely trodden by a human foot. Many islands attract travelers with an excellent opportunity to spend time alone with nature and enjoy the enchanting landscapes of the Karelian region.

Due to the huge number and variety of fish, the best in life can be organized here. The waters of the lake are especially rich in such species of fish as grayling, whitefish, perch, vendace, roach, smelt. There are also lampreys and valuable commercial species such as trout and salmon.

In addition to the trout brought from the Armenian city of Sevan, the Baikal omul has perfectly taken root here, spreading throughout the reservoir. The picturesque shores of Lake Onega and its many islands will be a great place for those who are interested in the real one.

Mysteries of Lake Onega

The famous Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg has an interesting exposition, which is a huge piece of stone slab weighing several tens of tons. This gigantic block was once part of Lake Onega, or rather, its rocky cape Peri Nos.

Literally the entire surface of the granite slab is covered with ancient images of swans, deer, fish and people. In addition to living figurines, numerous signs in the form of lines and circles can be seen on the stone. What they mean is still a mystery.

Scientists have established that the age of the rock paintings of Lake Onega is 4 thousand years. The shores of this reservoir have always been inhabited by people, as evidenced by the finds found in different places remnants of their ancient sites.

On the banks of the Onego are located the most unique monuments of antiquity - this is the Oleneostrovsky burial ground (City of the Dead) and the Onega sanctuary. Surely there are others here. Amazing places as yet inaccessible to humans. Solving the ancient mysteries of the lake is a great reason to start to its shores.

How to relax on the lake

It is famous for its unique corners of nature, where everyone can relax and gain strength. Lake Onega is one of such places.

It is worth coming here with families or friends, but even single travelers will have something to do in this wonderful land. There are excellent conditions for all lovers of an active lifestyle. Exciting hikes, picking berries and mushrooms - all this is available to travelers.

Lake Onega is the pride of Russia, located in its northern part. It is huge in its size, in size, among the freshwater reservoirs of Europe, second only to Lake Ladoga.

And in terms of area globe ranked 20th. The lake attracts lovers of amazing fishing and connoisseurs of harsh nature with dense forests and interesting historical places. The water in the lake is fresh and very clean. Lake Onega on the map of Russia is easy to find, just carefully consider the marks and know the location.

Lake Onega on the map of Russia

Lake Onega in its location unites two regions - Leningrad and Vologda, as well as Karelia, is located in the basin Baltic Sea. But its main part is still located in Karelia - 80% of the lake area.

On the shores of Lake Onega are the cities of Medvezhyegorsk, Petrozavodsk, Kondopoga, Povenets, Shuya, Girvas. Near Pindushi, Pyalma, Cholmuzhi, Peschanoe and others settlements. There are 57 of them in total, but the bulk of the population, about 90%, lives in the three largest cities.

Part of the lake area (about 50 sq. km) is the islands, the largest are the islands of Kizhi, Suysari, Klimetsky, Kerk and are located mainly in the northern part of the lake. It is noteworthy that as many as 50 rivers flow into Lake Onega, but only the Svir River, which connects this lake with Ladoga, takes its source.

How to get there?

You can get to Lake Onega in different ways - by train, by car, and by water. From any city, you can come to Petrozavodsk by train and start your journey from this city, or maybe limit yourself to it. By train, you can also come to the city of Kondopoga, and to Medvezhyegorsk, and to Voznesenye, and to Vyterga.

Given that the lake is navigable and belongs to the waterway, motor ships regularly ply on it, on which you can go to the opposite shore without making a car detour along the shore.

To the islands summer time from Petrozavodsk you can easily get on the "Comet", but in winter it will be more difficult. Here you will have to opt for a helicopter or try a more extreme way - a snowmobile or a boat on air cushion, straight on the Onega ice.

Lake Onega interesting facts and origin

The origin of Lake Onega is glacial-tectonic, which means that it arose as a result of the melting of a glacier in places of tectonic depressions in the earth's crust.

Thanks to the glacier, certain landforms were polished, which made it possible to create valleys of different widths and high ridges. Well, the water of the melting glacier first filled the Litorin Sea, which eventually turned into Lake Onega.

In the place where the lake is now located, 400 million years ago everything was covered with a shelf sea. But there is no reliable information about the origin of the name of the lake, and not even all sources recognize another name for Onego, saying that to this lake it is irrelevant.

However, Onego is the old Russian name for this lake, which cannot be said about the word “Onega”, because this is already the name of a river that does not even come into contact with Lake Onega.

According to one version, the name of the lake comes from the Finnish language and means “sound”, that is, a sonorous or noisy lake. There are other versions of what the name might mean. Whether it is a low-lying plain, translated from the Sami, or significant and huge, translated from the Baltic-Finnish. And there is also an option that in translation this name means pleasure or satisfaction.

What Lake Onega: features

Lake Onega is not a simple freshwater reservoir, it is the purest water, and a variety of fish, which means favorite place fishermen and spearfishers, and beautiful nature, and crystal air, and indented shores, and magnificent sunrises, and enchanting sunsets.

Almost 50 species of fish are found here, many of which are of industrial importance, and this is almost all of those that are found in Karelia. The fishing season starts from mid-May and lasts until December.

Of course, given such favorable conditions for fishing, in many areas you can rent boats and fishing equipment, which will make life easier for tourists and add variety to their vacation.

Every year the championship of Russia is held here. sailing among cruising yachts, gathering a huge number of fans and tourists. The lake is navigable, but frequent storms often make shipping difficult. Passenger Transportation on the water are not regular, but some routes are quite constant.

Attractions

The entire coastline of Lake Onega is teeming with sights - these are various architectural buildings, and temples, and interesting historical villages.

It is true that getting to all these sites is not so easy, so be prepared for a long hike, which will have few hotels and guest houses, but there will be many villages with hospitable hosts.

If you have enough time to go around the entire shore of Lake Onega, then get ready to go, you will not regret it. Well, you can start your journey from the largest city on the lake - Petrozavodsk.

Petrozavodsk what region and how far?

This city is the largest on Lake Onega, the capital of the Republic of Karelia. Of course, there are more places worth visiting in this city than anywhere else on Lake Onega. Definitely worth visiting National Museum Karelia and get acquainted with the life and color of the Russian North.

There are also the famous Petroglyphs, which attract tourists so much. But with modern art in the form of a variety of sculptures, you can meet by visiting the city's embankment.

In addition to avant-garde compositions and monuments, various unusual events and historical reconstructions are constantly held here. Here you can admire the lake or go by water to the island of Kizhi.

Various attractions, including a Ferris wheel with a wonderful view, are waiting for you in the park of culture and recreation in the city of Petrozavodsk. And if you want to see with your own eyes three million collections of stones and minerals, then you should definitely go to the Museum of Precambrian Geology.

Also, in Petrozavodsk there is a medical resort Marcial Waters with healing mud and a museum about its history, as well as with wonderful healing air. Don't forget about the Postal Museum and maritime museum, and about the Museum of Industrial History.

Although the foundation of the city began with the construction of factories and was not conceived as a place for tourism, over the years, many places have accumulated here, forcing people to travel great distances to see them.

Karelia City Medvezhyegorsk

This is one of the ancient Russian cities on Lake Onega. As the name implies, its feature is a huge number of bears.

True, there is nothing to be afraid of, they are mainly made of wood, bronze or plaster. You will hardly be able to see a real furry bear. But there are other attractions here.

For example, centennial railroad station, which has retained its appearance and even the heating system since its construction.

Do not go far from the station, but look into the history museum railway transport. Also visit the museum of local lore, which is located in a beautiful building in the form of a ship.

But, of course, the main attraction is the nature of Lake Onega surrounded by a pine forest. It will be interesting here both in winter and in summer.

In the warm season, you will enjoy a trip for mushrooms, of which there is a great variety; and fishing with an obligatory catch in the form of roach, sabrefish or even catfish; and water travel by boat; and an unforgettable beach holiday on fine sand; and healing baths in the shungite pool.

But with the onset of cold weather, you should appreciate the Medvezhyegorsk ski complex and other snow fun - ride on the ice of a frozen lake or in the snow on airships, in dog sledding or using other unusual devices.

Kizhi Island on which lake?

The main attraction is not even the island of Kizhi itself, but the unique museum-reserve of the same name located on its territory under open sky, one of the largest in Russia.

The wooden monuments of architecture in his possession cannot but please the eye. There are no houses or hotels on the island, only ancient buildings, samples of peasant settlements, churches, mills, chapels, barns.

Be sure to leave at least a whole day to visit Kizhi, because to get around everything you need a huge amount of time and you will not want to miss even the slightest corner.

And if you want to extend your acquaintance with this place for a few days, then you can rent a room on some neighboring island, from there they organize excursions or simply ship them on boats.

However, organized excursions This reserve of federal importance is visited both from St. Petersburg and Petrozavodsk by boat, and in winter by dog ​​sled on the ice of Lake Onega.

The most remarkable building of the island of Kizhi can be called the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord. You definitely won’t miss it and you can see it from anywhere on the island, because it is like an 11-story building high. Wonderful facades, smooth, ideal-looking wooden domes, located on different height compensate for the fact that the church can only be admired from the outside.

It strikes with its majesty and the impression is strengthened by the realization that it was built without a single nail. But you can go inside to the Church of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos, and see ancient icons and paintings of church content.

In general, it is not possible to list all the sights of the island - each building, each mill has cultural significance, is of interest and is famous for a certain history.

Visit the house of the peasant Oshevnev and the house of Sergeev, compare the water and windmill, look at the old baths and admire the chapels. And do not neglect the time for a quiet enjoyment of nature, which is beautiful anywhere on the shores of Lake Onega.

City of Kondopoga Karelia

Previously, this place was a village, and now the second largest city in Karelia after Petrozavodsk, but more ancient. In addition to its attractions, the city of Kondopoga is famous for its lovely lakes and rivers located in the area, magnificent nature, wonderful fishing and the possibility of organizing rafting on the Suna River.

Holland gave the city a wonderful gift - these are bell compositions that emit incredibly melodic, enchanting sounds.

The bells are located on the arch, as well as on the pillars, and their ringing is controlled using modern computer technology. Of course, one cannot do without the local museum of local lore, in which the exhibits tell the story of the transformation and reincarnation of Kondopoga, as well as the life of the Karelian people.

When you get tired of visiting museums, go straight to the Kivach waterfall. It is located in the reserve, whose name is consonant with the name of the waterfall. In addition to a ten-meter waterfall, you will be amazed by three-hundred-year-old pines and an arboretum.

From natural beauties Mount Sampo can also be noted, which is considered a place of incredible power and fulfillment of desires. The mountain can be considered observation deck, which offers a magnificent view of Lake Onega and the surrounding forests.

Do not be lazy and go to the very top, because it will not take too much effort, but the result will be worth it - you will enjoy the view of beauty.

Klimenetsky Island

Most large peninsula Lake Onega is Zaonezhsky, located in its northern part. But to the south of it is located the most big Island- Klimenetsky, on the territory of which the Holy Trinity Monastery is located, or rather its ruins.

It is significant in that it operated back in the 18th century and is practically the oldest stone monastery on the territory of Karelia.

Archaeologists and tourists will definitely not bypass this place and come in with their own eyes to see the preserved fragments of frescoes.

Of course, this is not all that attracts the island. It attracts lovers of secluded outdoor recreation, as there is an opportunity to forget about the bustle of the outside world, go fishing and sunbathe on the sandy beach.