Russia has a huge extent from north to south and from east to west. All natural and climatic zones (except the tropics) are observed on the territory of the country. Karelia and its pristine nature occupy a special place in the list of tourist places.
White nights, blue lakes framed by pines and centuries-old fir trees, wild rocky landscape and waterfalls, fabulously exciting sunsets over Ladoga and colorful Karelian names conceal an inexplicable magnetism that annually attracts thousands of tourists to this region.
The old marble quarry in Ruskeala is a young tourist attraction, a visit to which leaves an indelible impression.
Karelia (Ruskeala), Marble Quarry and waterfalls are one of the most interesting tourist sites of the republic. The village of Ruskeala is administratively part of the Sortavala region of Karelia.
The first mention in the chronicles dates back to 1500. A workers' settlement with the same name arose in 1796, when, by decree of Catherine the Great, work began on the extraction of marble in the Ruskeala deposit.
Near the village there is a monument of industrial culture - the Ruskeala Natural Mountain Park. The settlement stands on the Tohmajoki River, the source of which is in Lake Tohmajärvi in Finland. A stormy Karelian-Finnish river flows into Lake Ladoga near the village of Helyulya.
Map of Ruskeali attractions in Karelia. Shown here is a marble quarry and waterfalls
The regional center - the city of Sortavala (old name Serdobol) - is included in the list of historical cities of Russia. It is located on the northern shore of Ladoga, at an equal distance from Petrozavodsk (the capital of Karelia) and St. Petersburg.
The terrain has features characteristic of Karelia and is associated with the activity of the last, Quaternary glaciation and tectonic movements of the Baltic geological shield: rocks, outcrops of granite rocks.
The flora is represented by conifers - spruce, pine, juniper, as well as deciduous trees typical of the region:
- birch;
- Rowan;
- aspen.
Blueberries and lingonberries are common in the forests; cranberries, cloudberries, and a large number of edible mushrooms are found in swampy areas. The fauna is divided into lake and forest fauna. Hares, moose, foxes, wild boars are common in the forests of Karelia; there are bears and wolves.
A wide variety of mustelids, rodents and birds, including waterfowl. Lake Ladoga and surrounding reservoirs are home to 58 species of fish, the most valuable being salmon, as well as the lake’s endemic species, the Ladoga seal.
The climate in the Sortavala region is mild compared to the nearby northern capital: usually, summer is not very hot (+15 ° C), and there are no severe frosts in winter (-6-8 ° C). According to climatic characteristics, it is equal to the regions of the North of Russia.
The area, despite its distance from the center, is very popular. Amazing Karelian landscapes and the opportunity to visit historical and cultural attractions attract many travelers to this region.
Below is a small list of available natural and cultural monuments:
Waterfalls of Karelia in Ruskeala
Karelia (Ruskeala), the Marble Quarry and waterfalls on the Tohmijoki River are a must-see. Having visited Karelia at least once, it is impossible not to fall in love with this amazing region. What epithets did she deserve for the beauty of her nature? “The Land of a Thousand Lakes” will forever remain in everyone’s memory. There are no less rivers in the republic.
According to statistics, the length of all the rivers of Karelia is 83 thousand km - 2 times more than the equator. Karelian rivers are very turbulent: most of them have rapids and for this reason are unsuitable for navigation. But for water sportsmen and tourists, these places are a real paradise.
On the banks of the rivers, starting with the main one - Vuoksa, there are numerous raft clubs and tourist centers.
“Red” Tokhmajoki is one of the rivers flowing into Lake Ladoga. All 40 km of the current are marked by rocky rifts, waterfalls and small waterfalls: single, cascading.
Ahvenkoski Waterfall
Karelia has an inexplicable attractive force. Tourists heading to the Ruskeala mountain park always stop to admire the flat waterfalls of Tokhmajoki: from them to the Marble Quarry is about 3 km. Ahvenkoski is the largest: water rushes with a roar into a wide pit from a height of 4 m. 
The seething brown waters against the backdrop of emerald green fir trees create a fantastic picture. Despite its small height, the waterfall leaves a feeling of power and unbridled strength. The Finnish name for the waterfall means “perch rapids.” The local population gave it the name “waterfall at three bridges”, since it is here that the river crosses the highway three times in a row.
Cinema often uses the magical Karelian world for location filming. Ruskeala waterfalls became the place where Stanislav Rostotsky filmed the film “And the Dawns Here Are Quiet” in 1972. After filming the fantasy “Dark World” in 2010, a “witch’s hut” was left on the shore, successfully fitting into the fairy-tale landscape.
There is a convenient exit to the waterfalls from the Sortavala - Kostomuksha highway, there is a parking lot, an information stand, equipped places for photography, a stall with pies and a souvenir shop.
The forest area has been landscaped for the convenience of tourists: paths have been cleared, bridges have been built across numerous streams, sidewalks have been laid, and wooden sculptures of fairy-tale characters stand along the route. You can walk along the trail and enjoy the pristine nature by paying 100 rubles. For children, admission to the “fairy tale” was left free.
Kivach waterfall
The first chronicle records about the waterfall on the Suna River date back to 1566. The Karelian legend says that the two sister rivers Suna and Shuya loved each other so much that they could not part for a minute - their beds were located very close. One day, Suna lay down to rest, giving her sister her comfortable bed. 
While she was sleeping, Shuya ran very far away. Rushing to catch up with her sister, Suna broke through the diabase rocks - in this place the Kivach water slide appeared, which is translated from Finnish as “swift, powerful.”
The water stream, bubbling and foaming, falls from a height of 10.4 m over a distance of 170 m, the height of the cliff of the lower step is 8 m. The stream is divided by a rock into two branches: the main one falls along 4 ledges, the second is directed perpendicular to the main one. The Sun cascade of hydroelectric power stations slightly reduced the power of water fall.
10 thousand hectares of land around the waterfall are occupied by the Kivach nature reserve. In the protected area around the reserve (1-2 km wide), any type of human activity is prohibited, including hunting and fishing, but picking mushrooms and berries is allowed. The reserve is located in the Kondopoga district, accounting for 2% of its land.
85% of the reserve’s territory is occupied by forest, there are 13 lakes, 2 rivers flowing through it, and 4% is occupied by swamps.
Human activity is forever prohibited on these lands; it is prohibited to be on its territory without the consent of the administration. This is a reserve for populations of wild animals, birds and plants, from where they are resettled in places where the number of species is under threat.
Yukankoski Falls
This cascading waterfall is the highest in the Northern Ladoga region: the height from which the water flow thunders down is 17-19 m. The first description of this place can be found in the geographical atlas of Finland for 1927. The waterfall is located on the Kulismajoki River, in the depths of the Karelian forest and consists of two branches separated by a small island. 
Roaring and menacing in spring and early summer, during the period of high water, it turns into two graceful streams when the water subsides. Spring streams of brownish-yellow color become crystal clear by summer. The water warms up quickly in summer and attracts those who want to swim. The autumn waterfall again regains its abundance of water, which is constrained by frost. But under the top layer of ice the water continues to flow.
It got its name from a Finnish village located nearby: Yukankotu - which means “yucca estate”. The name of the waterfall means “yucca threshold”. At the end of the 20th century. The local population renamed the waterfall in their own way, calling it “white bridges.” The Finns who lived in these parts built roads and bridges from white stone; the ruins of these structures can still be seen.
The waterfall is located far from populated areas (the nearest village of Leppäsilta is 13 km away); you can reach it along a narrow forest road by car or on foot. For this reason, the Jukankoski rapids is a place rarely visited by tourists, but this is also its advantage.
The absence of human habitation makes it possible for animals to exist in the forests, which can be found if you behave carefully. Since 1999, the White Bridges hydrological park-reserve has been created on the territory adjacent to the waterfall. On an area of 88 hectares, the ecosystems of the Northern Ladoga region are preserved in their natural state.
In 2017, construction of the road and improvement of the surrounding area began.
Rymäkoski Waterfall
Rymäkoski translates as “thundering, noisy.” The water falls from a height of 6-7 m. In ancient times, there was a water mill in this place. In the 1930s The Finns built a power plant on the doorstep to supply small settlements in the area, primarily the village of Ruskeala. 
During the war, the hydroelectric power station at Rymäkoski was destroyed until the 2010s. was in ruins. The picturesque waterfall was available for free visits. Due to the lack of a good access road, the place was not crowded. Downstream after the waterfall, a small lake with rocky shores forms.
In 2013, the restored hydroelectric power station started working again. The station is small and operates automatically. It is now impossible to approach the dam and you have to admire the waterfall from a distance. A plus was the paved asphalt road.
Ruskeala Marble Canyon: description, location on the map
Karelia (Ruskeala), the Marble Quarry and the waterfalls of the republic are included in the Tourist Complex “Mountain Park “Ruskeala”, located 30 km north of the city of Sortavala.
The basis of the unique man-made-natural landscape monument was marble quarries. The “main” quarry has been registered as a cultural and historical monument by Decree of the Government of Karelia since 1998. 
Tohmajoki is a river on the banks of which there are quarries; the name is translated from Finnish as “bad, mad” due to its difficult, seething character and numerous rapids. The local name of the river is Ruskolka, which means “brown”.
The water in it is dark in color due to its high iron content. Despite this proximity, the Ruskeala quarries are filled with the purest emerald blue water, the transparency of which reaches 15-18 m.
The quarries are fed by groundwater; there is no vegetation at the bottom. The main quarry extends 460 m from north to south, the width reaches 100 m. Height - depth is more than 50 m: the distance from the highest point of the “side” to the bottom of the quarry. 
The deposit was formed as a result of violent tectonic activity, which was smoothed by the last glacier “rolling like a skating rink” across Karelia, which happened approximately 12 thousand years ago:
The marble quarry is open to the public all year round and is part of the Blue Road tourist route. In the summer, tourists have the opportunity to take a boat and look at the steep marble rocks from the water surface of the lake, explore the numerous grottoes and caves located at the border with the surface of the water.
Extreme lovers have a chance to get a dose of adrenaline by flying on a cable over the quarry, or descending into the “Ruskeala Gap”. The flow of tourists from Russia and neighboring Finland is growing every year. 
The park organizes festive performances, laser and fire show programs. Everyone who comes to Ruskeala simply enjoys communicating with the unique nature of Karelia: coniferous forests, lakes and stones.
How to get there: tours from tour operators, prices
It is possible to organize an independent trip to Karelia using your own vehicles. In this case, tourists freely manage their time and decide on their own issues of overnight accommodation and excursion services.
In the absence of personal vehicles, it is possible to get to Sortavala by electric train from the Ladoga station or by regular bus (minibus). There are buses from Sortavala to Ruskeala.
Many people prefer a comfortable trip accompanied by a guide. Many tour operators in St. Petersburg offer one-day and two-day tours to the Ruskeala Mountain Park.
Standard day trip itinerary:
- collection and boarding the bus at 6 -15 (the collection point can be different, usually the city center near metro stations, or the metro at the exit of the city towards Priozersk), seating is free;
- sightseeing tour of the city and highway;
- 9 -30 - visit to the 14th century fortress. Korela in Priozersk;
- 13-30 – lunch in one of the villages along the highway to Sortavala (additional payment);
- 14-30 – arrival at the Mountain Park (excursion with a local guide);
- Free time - excursions and spending time as desired (visiting the “Underground Route” - optional, additional payment 1320 rubles, boating);
- 17-00 – stop near the Ruskeala plain waterfalls;
- 18-00 – excursion around the city of Sortavala, visit to the Ladoga Museum (cost 100 rubles);
- visiting a trout farm, buying fish (optional);
- upon completion - return to St. Petersburg (approximately 23-30 near the Prospekt Prosveshcheniya metro station)
The cost of such tours ranges from 1,700 to 2,400 rubles. Travel times may also vary.
Hotels
Those wishing to visit Karelian attractions have a large selection of hotels, guest houses, cottages both in the very regional center of Sortavala and in nearby villages. 
In addition, many amateurs pitch tents on the banks of numerous lakes and rivers. In this case, only mosquitoes, of which there are a great many in these parts, can interfere with your rest. Hotel prices vary from quite reasonable to high if the hotel level is high. The table provides a small list of possible placements.
| The name of the hotel | address | Prices, from rub./night |
| Hotel Piipun Piha | Sortavala, st. Industrial - 44 | 3999 |
| Hotel Sofia | Sortavala, st. Gagarin - 15 | 1299 |
| Hotel Scandinavia | Sortavala, st. Sadovaya - 28 | 1599 |
| Hotel Seurahuone | Sortavala, st. Karelian — 22 | 2499 |
| Hotel Sortavala | Sortavala, st. Karelian — 35 | 3099 |
| Guest House Father Vasily | Pos. Rantue -11a | 2799 |
| Guest house Jakkimaa | Pos. Lahdenpokhya, st. Malinovsky - 1 | 2399 |
| Recreation center Khutor Yarvi | Sortavala highway 22 km | 2199 |
| Hotel Ladoga Estate **** | Sortavala, st. Ozernaya - 1 | 23590 |
How to rent a house in Ruskeala?
Finding housing in Ruskeala, in close proximity to the quarry and waterfalls, is not difficult. The place is popular with tourists, so local residents and various organizations use the opportunity to make money by renting out cottages. 
You can choose a suitable house (depending on the number of vacationers and the purpose of your visit) on websites on the Internet. The cost of housing is indicated per day and varies from 1 thousand rubles. up to 6-7 thousand rubles. The cottages are equipped with everything necessary for a comfortable stay: sleeping places, showers, saunas, internet, television.
Larger cottages with additional equipment and amenities are rented at a higher price of 10-12 thousand rubles. per day.
What can a tourist do in Ruskeala?
Karelia (Ruskeala), Marble Quarry and waterfalls are places where all conditions for a positive holiday are created.
Everyone can organize their time in accordance with their interests and capabilities:
Karelia is a mysterious northern region, where hardworking, taciturn people have long lived, inextricably linked with fantastically beautiful nature, who conquered the harsh Ladoga, built cities on the rocks, created the fabulous epic Kalevala, who know how to protect and preserve their land.
The marble quarry in Ruskeala, the frantic power of the roaring waterfall will forever remain in the memory of everyone who finds themselves in these parts.
Article format: Vladimir the Great
Video about Ruskeala
5 reasons to visit Ruskeala City Park:
I feel that my story about him will last many times longer than the 23-day journey itself lasted. :)
Actually, my story is about Karelian part our big tour is coming to an end. There is only a day and a half left, a beautiful and important part (however, there were no others!) - a trip to Ruskeala to the waterfalls and to the mountain park to the Marble Canyon and a transfer from Sortavala to Vyborg.
When I go into an album with Ruskeala photographs, I simply dissolve in it. I experience indescribable feelings looking at this Karelian splendor. Various thoughts appear: the desire to see again, to see even more... Today I complained that I didn’t see the Italian Quarry, to which my husband replied: “Oh, come on! There will be a reason to come back.” Knows me. :) Sweet bliss immediately spread in my soul...
I present to you a review post about the tenth day of our trips to Karelia in which I will tell
- how we visited the Ruskeala waterfalls,
- what we saw and what we didn’t see in the Ruskeala Mountain Park and why,
- Is it worth or not to go to the ungulate zoo at the Black Stones recreation center.
Day 10
The day started with a bang a lot and fast, one might say, conditional,breakfast in a rented apartment. Cookies, tea. Get dressed. We moved towards Ruskeala.
The sights of Ruskeala - waterfalls and the Marble Canyon - are located on the same highway - A130. From Sortavala to the Ruskeala waterfalls it is 27 kilometers, then along the highway, after five kilometers - the Marble Canyon. On the map it looks like this:
We got there along a good road, we didn’t notice how.
It is impossible to drive past the Ruskeala waterfalls; from the road you can already see the parking lot, a pond and one of the waterfalls.
On the stand, which stands near the parking lot, it is written “Ahinkoski Waterfalls”. Ruskeala waterfalls are a new name, Ahinkoski is an old Finnish name.
Ruskeala waterfalls - ennobled landmark of Karelia (as well as ) - cafe, parking, information stand, toilets (not so great, but there are),for the convenience of tourists climbing to the waterfalls, ladders have been laid,
We climbed and looked
took pictures.
And our journey along the A130 highway to one of the main attractions of Karelia - the Ruskeala Mountain Park - continued.
There are no problems with pointers to it. But such a pointer can be quite misleading.
The fact is that the Ruskeala Mountain Park is not only the Marble Canyon. Thinking this way, many do not reach the Italian quarry, the Ruskeala failure “Underground Lake”. But these are amazing objects!!! By the way, we didn’t get there either, but for other reasons. Somehow everything turned out chaotic, even they themselves didn’t understand how.
This is what it looks like scheme of the Ruskeala Mountain Park(from the site ruskeala.info) and its surroundings. Looking at her, I understand that we have something to strive for, why return to Karelia again.
We parked the car in an almost full parking lot. Let's go to the ticket office.
There we were offered a boat ride along the Marble Canyon. I immediately refused (I’m terrified of such boat trips), my husband decided to go for a ride. Sonya is with him. Well, what happened - we bought one ticket for a boat trip (400 rubles - the price for a boat!), one for a regular walk (150 rubles). And so they divided.
This was our mistake. I should have waited for my “boatmen” and then gone for a walk in the park together.
- Firstly, it’s “fun to walk through the open spaces” together. Well, more interesting, definitely. Solo sailing is absolutely not my thing. The degree of pleasure from the visible decreases significantly.
- Secondly, there were places where I was a little scared on the route alone.
- Thirdly, I was in a hurry, seeing that my friends had already “left”, having ridden, and did not go where I needed to go - the failure and the Italian Canyon.
- Fourthly, I gave my camera to my husband, thinking that the best views were from the boat, and I went with his camera. And the color rendition of his camera is worse than mine, alas... Kostya’s photographs came out like crazy - either row or take photographs, but the ones that came out didn’t turn out very well. At times my little treasure took the camera into his hands.
In general, my first advice is, don’t do as we do - don’t split up! Second, don’t bet on photos from the water. Photos from above are more impressive and there are much more possibilities for different angles.
And now the photos.
She put her people on the boat, waved her hand and went along the route. Not a mother, but an echidna. She sent the child, but did not swim.
In fact, I was in such a panicked, “frozen” state that I couldn’t see anything around me. I didn’t even read the sign in large letters “Exit the route.” The fact that I saw her is a fact (well, the photo is mine!). But it’s also true that I didn’t even suspect that I was going in the opposite direction. And imagine my surprise (to put it mildly) when a month later I was looking at my photographs of Marble Canyon and saw this photo.
Well, and photographs of the Marble Canyon taken by Kostya and Sonya together.
The first rowing in my life was not so easy. :)
“Towards the end” we walked around and looked at the souvenirs. Nice souvenirs, but the prices are kind of crazy. So we didn’t buy anything. Nothing at all. :(Even books.
By this time it was 15.30. We decide to get to the Black Stones recreation center, where the ungulate zoo is located.
There are signs from the highway at the turn to the zoo. It's difficult to drive past.
They sawed along the primer at a speed of 20 km/h. The ride is still the same.
The system of visiting the zoo seemed very strange to us. They are not allowed there just like that, without excursions. If I don’t confuse it with the excursion, the cost is 250 rubles per person. In addition, the group had to wait. By this time it was starting to drizzle. Well, that's it, to the heap. There was no decisive moment. In general, we turned around and sawed back 10 kilometers along the dirt road. In fact, it would be necessary to pave the road. It’s not serious to somehow invite people and not create any conditions.
Today I want to talk about how we visited Karelia during a one-day trip by car. During the day we managed to explore the marble canyon of Ruskeala and a small waterfall located nearby.
Distance from the center of St. Petersburg to Ruskeala: about 312 km
Walking distance: about 3 km
Coordinates of the Ruskeala marble canyon: 61°56"40.0"N 30°34"52.6"E
Entrance fee to Ruskeala Mountain Park: 200 rubles per adult (2016).
We left St. Petersburg at 5 am and returned late in the evening. The total mileage was about 650 km. You can get to Karelia by two routes: along the Murmansk highway and along the Novopriozersky highway (Sortavala highway). Depending on where you are going, choose the desired route. This time we moved towards Sortavala, it was more convenient for us to go along Novopriozerka. The Sortavala highway has not yet been completely rebuilt, and there are some unpleasant parts - very dusty gravel. There may be unexpected holes, even though a grader sometimes passes through there. I recommend keeping your distance, because due to the dust (when it’s dry) you can’t see anything from the car in front.
Ahvenkoski Waterfall
So, 300 kilometers of travel is behind us, and we finally reached the village of Ruskeala. The beautiful Tokhmajoki River flows here, which is divided into several branches and falls down with picturesque waterfalls. This landscape is complemented by a coniferous forest. It’s not for nothing that the films “The Dawns Here Are Quiet” and “The Dark World” were filmed in this place. Many tourists stop here, as the waterfall is very accessible and visible from the highway. Some swim directly in the waterfall. There are souvenir shops nearby, you can also have a snack in a cafe or relax in the gazebo.
Ruskeala Mountain Park
We get into the car again and drive a little to the Ruskeala mountain park. This is the most beautiful place in the vicinity of Sortavala. Since the park is landscaped, you have to walk strictly along a route specially laid out for tourists: along the paths. But here it is clean and tidy.
Ruskeala (Finnish “brown” - a former quarry, a marble quarry, which arose during the reign of Catherine II, in 1765. Marble of four colors was mined here! Marble from these quarries was used in the construction of the main attractions of St. Petersburg - the floor of the Kazan Cathedral, cladding St. Isaac's Cathedral, window sills of the Hermitage, lining of some St. Petersburg subway stations. Numerous adits of the quarry were flooded after the Great Patriotic War. Now the quarry is almost the most popular tourist attraction in Karelia.
Main attractions of the park:
- Of course, the marble quarry itself is now a beautiful lake;
- The ruins of a marble factory, which we did not go to;
- Ruskeala failure, which deserves a separate article;
- Adits;
- Italian quarry
You can walk around the park on your own or as part of an organized excursion. We did not use the services of a guide.
For clarity, I would like to present a map that I found on the Internet:
I have so many photos of the quarry itself that I can’t choose just a couple for this article. Hang in there, there will be a lot of them!
You can rent a boat and look at the surrounding beauty from the water. Unfortunately, we were not able to take advantage of this opportunity: all boats were booked for the whole day.
Me against the backdrop of a quarry with a bouquet of daisies:
Oh, these rocks! The landscapes are simply amazing. This must be seen live!
The color of the water is simply amazing.
You can try yourself in extreme entertainment:
On the way back, having already covered about half the way back to St. Petersburg, we stopped for a small picnic. We chose a cozy forest clearing surrounded by coniferous trees. After having a snack, we moved on. From the road we noticed a picturesque field:
The main attraction of Karelia is the nature that surrounds you as soon as you enter the republic. North Karelia is beautiful, it has its own special natural landscape. Even an ordinary field looks beautiful here. Or maybe I just love these places and see something unusual in every bush... We took pictures with haystacks:
Nearby we noticed a lake and photogenic mopeds:
Well, now it’s time to go home to St. Petersburg... Never mind, there will be a new trip! 🙂
Karelia is famous not only for its marble quarry, but also for many other attractions. Several years have passed since this photo story was written, during which we became even more familiar with the republic. New stories are waiting for you soon, including a 12-hour hike to Besov Nos. It will be interesting!
Ruskeala in the Republic of Karelia is the name of a large tourist complex.
Its name comes from the nearby village of the same name.
Another landmark can be the Tokhmayoka River, on the banks of which it is located. Contrary to popular misconceptions, Ruskeala is not a granite quarry or a nature reserve. Wikipedia says that this is a mountain park.
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Marble Canyon Ruskeala (Karelia, Russia) - description
The main attraction of this place is the Marble Canyon, which is now about 500 meters long and 100 meters wide, and reaches a depth of 50 meters. All its walls are dissected complexes of white marble. Once upon a time, its entire territory was penetrated by a whole network of mines, drifts and adits, the total length of which is several kilometers.
Now the main quarry and most of it are flooded, and the once industrial site has become an amazing place created by the joint efforts of man and nature.
Abandoned quarries were discovered by S. Alopeus, a local pastor and local historian. Active development began in 1765, during the reign of Catherine II. Since such work was rarely carried out in Russia, initially the “stone work” was carried out under the leadership of the Italians. Stone mining began quickly, since at that moment several large buildings were being erected in the country at once.
More than 500 people were working at the quarries at that time. At that time, marble rock was found here mainly in 4 colors: gray with a green tint, white with blue and gray tints, gray with an ash tone and white with gray veins.
St. Isaac's Cathedral in St. Petersburg
Marble from the Ruskeala quarries was used as a finishing material for such famous buildings as:
- Saint Isaac's Cathedral;
- Mikhailovsky Castle;
- in the Kazan Cathedral the floors were laid with it;
- in the Hermitage and the Marble Palace he made window sills;
- in the 20th century, Karelian marble was also used to decorate the Ladozhskaya and Primorskaya metro stations in St. Petersburg.
In 1846, a processing plant was built and a process for producing lime was organized. At this time, the number of workers at the quarries increased to 800 people. During wartime, from 1939 to 1947, no mining was carried out. Resumed production did not stop until the 1990s, but on a much smaller scale.
But after the end of mining and the flooding of the main quarry with groundwater, it was not forgotten. In 1998, the Marble Canyon was designated as a cultural heritage site and taken under state protection. Since 1999, it has been part of the international tourist route called the Blue Road.
It is worth noting: in 2005, with the active participation of local entrepreneurs, work was carried out to create an entire tourist complex, and in just 10 years of work it became very famous.
Marble quarry and waterfalls
The flooded quarry is an unusual and beautiful place. Marble cliffs rising above the water, surrounded by dense forest, look very picturesque. You can explore them on your own, without resorting to the services of guides.
It is worth noting that the water here is of an unusual shade. Perhaps this is due to the marble bottom. The water can be seen to a depth of 15 meters.
The area around is equipped for a comfortable stay in the park, and various options for spending time are also organized. For example, boat tours are very popular. During boat trips, you can personally observe pieces of marble peeking out of the water and look into numerous grottoes.
Hiking is no less popular, allowing you to enjoy views not only of the canyon, but also of the surrounding area.
For convenience, several observation platforms have been installed along the perimeter of the quarry, which allow you to take the most advantageous positions for photos. Here you can find brief information about the attraction and famous people who visited it.
For especially daring fans of cable cars, bungee jumping and rope jumping, cables are stretched over the water surface of Marmara Lake. Another feature of the quarry is the unusual colored lighting, which you can look at in the evening. It is used both in the canyon itself and in some grottoes and caves.
The lights on the marble cliffs look very impressive.
In winter, you can ride a dog sled pulled by huskies. They will take adults and children on the ice of the Marble Canyon itself.
A must-visit is the Ruskeala or Tokhmin waterfalls. They are not very tall or spectacular, but, nevertheless, very picturesque. The height of the largest one located here is no more than 4 meters.
The area is especially famous for several films that were filmed here and in the surrounding area. One of them is “And the Dawns Here Are Quiet,” in which the heroine dived from one of these waterfalls. What remains of the film is a small museum.
Local adits, which are nothing more than through holes in the rock, are also popular with tourists. They can be either vertical or horizontal. However, almost all of them were flooded long ago by the Finns in 1939, except for one, which was later equipped for tourists to visit.
Once upon a time, a special marble was mined here, which was used to obtain lime. Trolleys were used to transport material from here. Due to the special microclimate (it is always damp here), water drips from the ceiling, and snow can be found even in summer.
Another place where adits have been preserved is the Ruskeala Gap. On the ground it is marked with a sign “Underground Lake”, and all because the hole is now flooded. The collapse itself occurred in the 60s - then blasting was actively used to extract rock, which led to the formation of cracks in the mountain range. So one day, the roof of the cave simply collapsed.
It is a round hole in the ground and has a fence. To get down, a special system of ropes was built. At the bottom there are special bridges for passage deep into the caves.
Note: In winter, visitors go straight down onto the ice and skate.
The so-called Italian Canyon is also interesting to visit. Not long ago, the Italians decided to mine marble here, but it didn’t work out. It turned out that the high-quality material lies very deep, but that located on the surface is very fragile and is not at all suitable as a finish. The extraction of deep-seated marble costs a lot of effort and money, which is not entirely justified.
However, in the Italian quarry one can observe a fundamentally different approach to mining using special saws. From the beginning of the development, huge sections of the rock remain, which allow you to admire the cross-section of marble in natural conditions.
A place that not many tourists go to is an abandoned marble and lime factory. Despite its lesser fame in the park, it is of great interest. Built by the Finns in 1896, it was intended for the production of lime. To do this, calcite marble was fired in special kilns, of which there were originally three. Later, production expanded: they built 3 more kilns and began to produce facing stones, as well as marble chips. It closed completely in the 1990s.
Now you can wander around here and take a good look at everything. All the buildings, furnaces and even the iron tracks that were used to transport the rock to the processing site are well preserved.
Official website of the recreation center
All necessary information (opening hours, cost of services and much more) about the Ruskeala marble canyon (Karelia, Russia) can be found on the official website of the complex - http://ruskeala.info/ru. Due to the proximity of Finland and other European countries, foreign tourists also come here, so the site can be viewed in three languages. Here you can find all the relevant information about accommodation options, costs and additional services. Before visiting the park, you can find out about possible tours and excursions, and also book accommodation if necessary.
Address
Marble Canyon Ruskeala is located at the address: Republic of Karelia, Sortavala, next to the village of the same name Ruskeala.
How to get there
You can get to the Ruskeala Mountain Park in several ways, leaving from St. Petersburg or.
From St. Petersburg There are 2 options, and the whole journey is about 300 kilometers:
- In a personal car, from St. Petersburg you should travel along the federal highway A129, along Priozerskoye Highway. Having reached the city of Sortavala, we continue moving towards Petrozavodsk. Soon you will need to turn onto the A-130 highway, to the village of Vyartsilya, and from there to Ruskeala.
- By train "St. Petersburg - Kostomuksha", which departs from the Ladozhsky station, to the city of Sortavala. It is worth checking the schedule in advance, since the train does not run on this route every day. There is a regular bus from Sortavala to the village of Ruskeala.
From Petrozavodsk:
- By private car we move along the P21 highway, through Kolatselga. The distance is about 250 km. Seeing the turn to the village of Vyartsilya, we turn. From there we move to Ruskeala village.
- By train Petrozavodsk - Sortavala we reach the final city, and from there by regular bus to our destination.
Take note: It is most convenient to travel to the park by private car, since the attraction is located next to a village where public transport is not very developed.
Another convenient option is to order a group excursion, and then the trip will be organized from St. Petersburg to the desired point and back.
Where to stay
Not far from the Ruskeala Mountain Park there are not many places to stop and relax in comfortable conditions. One of the most popular, in close proximity to the Karelian attraction, is the “King of the Mountain” guest house, formerly called the “Blue Lagoon” tourist center.
Guests of Ruskeala are offered comfortable, varied rooms, free parking and gazebos equipped with barbecues.
There is also a camping area on site where you can pitch a tent and immerse yourself in nature. Of course, the special luck is the proximity to the famous park, which is only 800 meters away, and the amazing landscapes around.
Ruskeala Marble Canyon – the most beautiful photos
You can visit the Ruskeala Mountain Park at any time of the year - each of them has its own charm. In general, this is a great option to change everyone’s favorite beaches and engage in active recreation. In addition, now it is one of the most popular natural and technological attractions in Karelia and throughout Russia.
"Ruskeala" (see photo below) is a mountain park located in Karelia near the city of Sortavala. It was created in 2005.
Story
The marble canyon "Ruskeala" (Karelia) began to be developed back in the 17th century. The work in those days was carried out by the Swedes. The extracted marble was used to build foundations and to make building lime.
Special attention was paid to the Ruskeala marble canyon in those days when palaces and cathedrals began to be built in St. Petersburg and its environs. The valuable stone mined in these places was highly valued by architects. Montferrand and Rinaldi used marble slabs to decorate their buildings. This magnificent stone was used to cover the Kazan and St. Isaac's Cathedrals, St. Michael's Castle, etc.
Before the start of the Russian-Finnish war, the quarries where the valuable stone was mined were flooded by the Finns. According to one version, this was done in order to harm the Soviet troops.
The Ruskeala marble canyon is still used today. Material was mined here that was used to line the Ladozhskaya and Primorskaya stations of the St. Petersburg metro.
Exploitation of the surrounding deposits continues today. Of course, the former scale is no longer there, but crushed marble stone is constantly being mined and sold.
Attractions
Mountain Park "Ruskeala" - a marble canyon, which is a real deed, as well as a natural heritage. These places amaze with their beauty. The former quarries today are delightful. They resemble marble bowls that were filled with bluish-green waters. The adits nearby look like mysterious caves.
The Ruskeala Marble Canyon received a new status in 1998. It was recognized as part of the Russian cultural heritage.
The place where valuable construction material was mined in the past is one of the attractions of the Ruskeala mountain park. Today the quarry is filled with crystal clear, emerald-tinged water. The splendor of its patterned shores with steep cliffs pleases the eye. In the former quarry you can find places where marble can be seen directly through the water.
There are a number of observation platforms along the perimeter of the stone mining site. From them you can admire picturesque views. Brick kilns built before the 1917 revolution can be seen from these sites. They were used to produce lime, which was produced by burning marble chips. The pipes of these furnaces are laid out in the shape of a cone and resemble minarets or ancient towers. The old administrative building is also visible from the observation platforms. It is notable for the fact that it is made entirely of marble.
If you want to admire the scenery of the local nature from the water, you can rent a boat at the pier. Then you can swim into grottoes located in steep cliffs. Such a trip will leave a lasting impression, surprising you with the play of light that is observed on the marble ceiling. Even at night, the marble canyon "Ruskeala" will delight you with its bright colors. This happens thanks to the artificial lighting arranged here.
Waterfall
Travelers seeking to get to the marble canyon "Ruskeala" (Karelia, Russia) will have to travel along the banks of the Tokhmajoki River. Here, at the Ahvenkoski waterfall, it’s worth stopping and admiring the views. In order for travelers to rest and gain strength, benches are specially installed on the river bank.
Additionally, you can visit the destroyed Finnish power plant. It is located on the Tokhmajoki River, just a little downstream from the waterfall.
Description of the canyon
There is more than one marble quarry in Ruskeala. But the most beautiful of them is located on the territory of the mountain park. After the place was cleared, a security guard began to be on duty at the entrance. A large number of kiosks have been installed on the territory of the mountain park, offering souvenirs to visitors. Here you can walk along neat paths sprinkled with marble chips, near which there are signposts and fences. Such changes cannot but please us. They indicate that the Ruskeala marble canyon (see photo below) is under supervision and will retain its condition for many years.
Excursions
The area of the mountain park is relatively small. Its width is only 100 m, and its length is 450 m. In this regard, excursions to the “Ruskeala” (marble canyon) do not take much time.
Several more quarries are located around the park. The interesting thing is that the color of the water they are filled with is different everywhere. So, in the main quarry you can admire the emerald-greenish tint. The water in the adjacent marble bowls is blue or gray with a bluish tint. There is no mystery in this. The shade of the liquid depends on the color of the marble lying there. There are also unflooded adits in the canyon. However, it is worth keeping in mind that in order to get into them, you must use the services of an escort. You should not do this yourself.
Walks outside the park
The so-called Italian quarries are located close to the marble canyon. In them you can clearly see evenly cut layers of amazing stone. This spectacle is not limited to the mountain. Near the quarry there is a large number of abandoned marble blocks that were rejected at one time. The adits got their name due to the fact that the first developments on them were carried out using Italian technologies with the involvement of specialists from this country.
Here you can also admire the marble pool, which is carved directly into the layers.
Diving
Diving enthusiasts who managed to visit the Ruskeala marble canyon are also pleased. This place is a real paradise for divers. They are attracted by flooded quarries, which are connected to each other by adits. The majority of visitors do not see the underground horizons of the numerous tunnels in which marble was once mined.
The bottom of the main canyon is also of interest to divers. Here is abandoned equipment that was used to extract marble. The attractiveness of the place increases the transparency of the water, which is due to its low temperature. The fact is that there are cold springs in the quarry. That is why the water in it is constantly renewed.
Reservoirs
In "Ruskeala" there are flooded boats. The main one, which is located on the territory of the mountain park, offers boats for rent. On the banks of the remaining quarries you can find several places to relax with a tent. However, you should not expect privacy, as these places are very popular with tourists.
A river called Tokhmajoki flows not far from the park. On its banks you can also find several places to pitch a tent. However, there is a lot of garbage here.
Visitor impressions
Those tourists who have visited the Ruskeala marble canyon leave reviews of it as a magnificent vacation spot. In this regard, the mountain park is very popular. In summer, it is best to come here on a weekday. Only in this case will it be possible to avoid crowds. You can visit the mountain park early in the morning, when the bulk of visitors have not yet arrived.
Difficulties
The Ruskeala Marble Canyon is located at a considerable distance from St. Petersburg. This is why a one-day trip is quite tiring, especially for the driver. In addition, starting from Priozersk, the road is very winding and dangerous.
Caution does not hurt when using mobile communications. There is a border not far from the canyon, as a result of which there is a constant connection of unsolicited Finnish roaming (SMS messages are received from the mobile operator).
It should also be taken into account that the banks of the quarry are sheer steep cliffs. Climbing is prohibited here. Signs installed everywhere warn about this. If you rent a boat, you should not swim close to the rock. Sometimes rocks fall from the peaks.
Paid services
A small fee is charged for walking through the park. There is a fee for boat rental. In winter, there is an ice skating rink in the canyon. Skates can be rented here.
Road
So, you chose the Ruskeala marble canyon as your vacation spot. How to get there? It is possible to do this by public transport, but it is difficult. To do this, you will have to travel from St. Petersburg to the town of Sortovala. Regular buses and trains go to this locality from the Northern capital. The next point on the route is the village of Ruskeala. You can get here by bus, which runs twice a day. Its route runs from Sortovala to Vyartsilya via Ruskeala. The distance of twenty-five kilometers can be covered by taxi.
There is another option. In St. Petersburg you need to take the train to Kostomuksha. From this station to the park the distance is eight kilometers. The train arrives in Kostomuksha at one in the morning and at four in the morning. Having arrived on it, you can become the first visitors to the park.
It is much easier to get to the marble canyon by private car. In this case, the route from St. Petersburg will run along the A-129 highway to Sortovala. Having reached this settlement, you need to turn north to the village of Ruskevala. On the map this is highway A-130. Not far from the village there is a sign in the direction of the mountain park. The car can be left on the side of the road or in the free parking lot of the complex. It is worth keeping in mind that this route is not close. From St. Petersburg to the destination is almost three hundred and thirty kilometers.
Excursion categories
Has "Ruskeala" (marble canyon) official website (base-ruskeala. rf). On it you can find a lot of useful information for tourists. Here you can also get acquainted with the categories of excursions offered in the mountain park. Among them are a weekend hike and a long walk, as well as a weekend route.
Where can I stay?
In the village of Ruskeala there is a recreation center of the same name. It operates year-round and can accommodate ninety visitors. The recreation center has rooms of varying degrees of comfort. There are rooms for newlyweds and married couples with babies.
You can have a picnic with barbecue on site. A sauna built on the shore of the lake is available for guests.
For vacationers, excursions are organized to the marble canyon, to waterfalls or to Lake Valaam. For those who come by their own car, there is a guarded parking lot. There is a rental point at the Ruskeala recreation center that provides sports equipment - football and volleyballs, bicycles, skis and skates. Picnic equipment is also provided here.
Conclusion
The Ruskeala Marble Canyon is popular all year round. There are many interesting places and amazing views. So, when visiting the mountain park and its surroundings, do not forget to take your camera with you. According to reviews of most tourists, the marble canyon is one of the most interesting places in Karelia.
