Saint Petersburg – Valaam – Hiidenselga – Kizhi – Staraya Ladoga – Saint Petersburg on the ship Lenin

Features:

Walking tour.

DURATION: 3.5 hours

THE OBJECTS OF THE VISIT:

* Voskresensky, Gethsemane and Konevsky skeets;

* "Balaam Palestine";

* Bolshaya Nikonovskaya Bay.

Detailed description:

"Balaam Palestine"

The tour route passes through three Valaam monasteries: Voskresensky, Gethsemane and Konevsky. It is here that you can experience the harmony of wild, harsh northern nature and strict ascetic monastic life. The Resurrection and Gethsemane skeets with their peculiar architectural and landscape design form the famous "Valaam Palestine", located in the western part of the island of the same name.

The quiet corners of Valaam

Next, you will see the quiet Valaam monastery in the area of remote inland Igumen lakes and Konevsky monastery. It was here that the hermitage of the hermit of Damascus, the future famous Valaam abbot, was located. A special soothing atmosphere is always created by a smooth water surface reflecting a dense coniferous forest, wooden bridges, thick, healing, juniper-scented air.

Next, the guides will tell the amazing story of the most recent of the monasteries of "Old Valaam" – Smolensky, the consecration of which took place in the summer of 1917.

Features:

Water walking/walking tour.

The distance from the ship to the Central estate is 7 km. You can get there both on foot and by boat.

For cruises lasting from 5 days, the boat is included in the price. If the duration of the cruise is less than 5 days, a walking tour to the central estate is offered. At the request of the tourist, you can purchase a boat ticket for an additional fee directly on board the ship.

DURATION: 3-4 hours

THE OBJECTS OF THE VISIT:

* The central estate of the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Valaam Monastery;

* Mount Tabor;

* Marble Znamenskaya Chapel;

* The Holy gates of the monastery;

* Gate Church of Peter and Paul;

* Assumption Refectory Church is the oldest surviving church on the island;

* The main functioning temple of the monastery is the majestic Transfiguration Cathedral.

Detailed description:

The men's monastery

Your journey through the central estate of the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Valaam Monastery will begin from the pier of the Monastery Bay. During the tour, you will hear the history of the monastery and see the picturesque narrow bay that goes deep into the island.

Ancient granite steps

A wide granite staircase, built in the middle of the XIX century, rises from the pier to the foot of Mount Tabor. There are 62 authentic granite steps preserved here, fastened with powerful forged brackets.

The path to the red rocks

There is a beautiful monastery garden on the territory of the estate, which enchants with delicate shades both during the flowering season and in the quiet golden autumn. Above the garden, along a patterned cast-iron lattice running along the edge of the cliff, there is a path to the high red rocks. It was from here that the monks of old Valaam admired the gloomy, reflecting reddish rocks, waters of the Monastery Bay, meeting or escorting pilgrims.

Former Romanov royal cells

Next, you will go to the marble Znamenskaya Chapel and the Holy Gates of the monastery. Adjacent to the walls of the church were the "Royal Cells" – the chambers in which members of the Romanov family stayed when visiting Valaam.

In addition, you will see the monastery square, the architectural ensemble of which was formed from the end of the XVIII to the beginning of the XX century:

• The Church of Peter and Paul
• The Assumption Refectory Church is the oldest surviving one on the island
• Church of the Icon of the Mother of God "Life-giving Spring"
• Church of the Valaam Icon of the Mother of God
• cell buildings
• outbuildings

Relics of the Holy Valaam Wonderworkers

A special place during the tour is given to visiting the main functioning temple of the monastery – the majestic Transfiguration Cathedral. According to legend, the relics of the holy founders of the monastery, St. Sergius and Herman of Valaam Wonderworkers, are buried under a bushel in the foundation of the monastery. Professional guides will tell the story of the saints, as well as show the decoration of the Transfiguration Cathedral.

At the Old Fraternal Cemetery, guests will get acquainted with the amazing fates of Valaam ascetics of former times.

Souvenirs
Icons and candles can be bought in the icon and souvenir shops of the monastery.

Features:

Walking tour.

DURATION: 3.5 hours

THE OBJECTS OF THE VISIT:

* The Resurrection, Gethsemane and Konevsky skeets;

* "Balaam Palestine";

* Bolshaya Nikonovskaya Bay.

Detailed description:

"Balaam Palestine"

The tour route passes through three Valaam monasteries: Voskresensky, Gethsemane and Konevsky. It is here that you can experience the harmony of wild, harsh northern nature and strict ascetic monastic life. The Resurrection and Gethsemane skeets with their peculiar architectural and landscape design form the famous "Valaam Palestine", located in the western part of the island of the same name.

The quiet corners of Valaam

Next, you will see the quiet Valaam monastery in the area of remote inland Igumen lakes and Konevsky monastery. It was here that the hermitage of the hermit of Damascus, the future famous Valaam abbot, was located. A special soothing atmosphere is always created by a smooth water surface reflecting a dense coniferous forest, wooden bridges, thick, healing, juniper-scented air.

Next, the guides will tell the amazing story of the most recent of the monasteries of "Old Valaam" – Smolensky, the consecration of which took place in the summer of 1917.

Features:

For cruises lasting from 5 days, the boat is included in the price. If the duration of the cruise is less than 5 days, a walking tour to the central estate is offered. At the request of the tourist, you can purchase a boat ticket for an additional fee directly on board the ship.

DURATION: 2-3 hours

THE OBJECTS OF THE VISIT:

* Spaso-Preobrazhensky Cathedral;

* The place of prayer solitude of Elder Nazariy;

* Architectural and landscape complex of the Hegumen cemetery;

* Military memorial.

Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery

Visiting the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery on your own, you will be able to see

• the central manor of the monastery,
• Mount Tabor,
• the marble Znamenskaya Chapel,
• The Holy gates of the monastery,
• The Gate Church of Peter and Paul,
• The Assumption Refectory Church is the oldest surviving one on the island,
• The main functioning temple of the monastery is the majestic Transfiguration Cathedral.

Alexander I's visit

In the XVIII century, the Venerable elder Nazarius, the organizer of the Valaam monastery, created a place of prayer solitude on Valaam, which was visited by Alexander I during his highest visit in August 1819. After Nazarius, his disciple, schemonach Nicholas "The Humblest" settled in this place.

During the tour, you will be able to see the preserved foundation of the ascetic's desert and the place of his burial.

The unique nature of Valaam

In the middle of the nineteenth century, an arboretum nursery was established near the monastery, where trees and ornamental shrubs brought from different regions of Russia were bred. The main task of the nursery was the formation of beautiful Valaam landscapes.

In the second half of the XIX century, the architectural and landscape complex of the new Abbot cemetery appeared on the site of the nursery. A corner is being created here that reminds us of the splendor of paradise mansions and the immortality of the human soul. In a small area around the man-made church hill, the most exotic trees for Valaam were planted:

• broad-leaved elms,
• fragrant lime trees,
• Siberian fir trees,
• cedar pines.

You will hear a story about the fate of the abbots of the Valaam monastery, whose graves are located behind the altar of the temple, and plunge into the history of the monastery up to the end of the 30s of the XX century.

Military Memorial

The dramatic pages of Soviet history are forever imprinted on the image of the Abbot's cemetery. In memory of the Valaam school cadets (boatswains and Jung), about the heroes of the Great Patriotic War, whose lives ended in the walls of the Valaam home for the disabled, a military memorial was built.

Professional guides will tell you about the events of the Soviet-Finnish and World War II, about the post-war history of Valaam, as well as about the revival of the monastery in 1989.

Souvenirs

In the icon and souvenir shops of the monastery, you can buy icons, candles, and submit notes. Gourmets can delight themselves with traditional cheese, which is produced on the farm of the Valaam monastery.

Features:

A walking tour that starts from the pier of Bolshaya Nikonovskaya Bay in the south-west of the Valaam Archipelago.

DURATION: 2-3 hours

THE OBJECTS OF THE VISIT:

* Picturesque Rocky Shore Bay

* "Nikon Fort"

* Lake Ladoga

Rocky coast

During the walking tour you will see the picturesque Rocky Shore Bay. Professional guides will tell you about the Nikon Fort, a Finnish military fortification built during the Soviet–Finnish and World War II. In addition, you will learn more about the unique nature of Valaam, as well as see the largest lake in Europe – Ladoga.

Features:

Water walking/walking tour.

The distance from the ship to the Central estate is 7 km. You can get there both on foot and by boat.

For cruises lasting from 5 days, the boat is included in the price. If the duration of the cruise is less than 5 days, a walking tour to the central estate is offered. At the request of the tourist, you can purchase a boat ticket for an additional fee directly on board the ship.

DURATION: 3-4 hours

THE OBJECTS OF THE VISIT:

* The central estate of the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Valaam Monastery;

* Mount Tabor;

* Marble Znamenskaya Chapel;

* The Holy gates of the monastery;

* Gate Church of Peter and Paul;

* Assumption Refectory Church is the oldest surviving church on the island;

* The main functioning temple of the monastery is the majestic Transfiguration Cathedral.

Detailed description:

The men's monastery

Your journey through the central estate of the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Valaam Monastery will begin from the pier of the Monastery Bay. During the tour, you will hear the history of the monastery and see the picturesque narrow bay that goes deep into the island.

Ancient granite steps

A wide granite staircase, built in the middle of the XIX century, rises from the pier to the foot of Mount Tabor. There are 62 authentic granite steps preserved here, fastened with powerful forged brackets.

The path to the red rocks

There is a beautiful monastery garden on the territory of the estate, which enchants with delicate shades both during the flowering season and in the quiet golden autumn. Above the garden, along a patterned cast-iron lattice running along the edge of the cliff, there is a path to the high red rocks. It was from here that the monks of old Valaam admired the gloomy, reflecting reddish rocks, waters of the Monastery Bay, meeting or escorting pilgrims.

Former Romanov royal cells

Next, you will go to the marble Znamenskaya Chapel and the Holy Gates of the monastery. Adjacent to the walls of the church were the "Royal Cells" – the chambers in which members of the Romanov family stayed when visiting Valaam.

In addition, you will see the monastery square, the architectural ensemble of which was formed from the end of the XVIII to the beginning of the XX century:

• The Church of Peter and Paul
• The Assumption Refectory Church is the oldest surviving one on the island
• Church of the Icon of the Mother of God "Life-giving Spring"
• Church of the Valaam Icon of the Mother of God
• cell buildings
• outbuildings

Relics of the Holy Valaam Wonderworkers

A special place during the tour is given to visiting the main functioning temple of the monastery – the majestic Transfiguration Cathedral. According to legend, the relics of the holy founders of the monastery, St. Sergius and Herman of Valaam Wonderworkers, are buried under a bushel in the foundation of the monastery. Professional guides will tell the story of the saints, as well as show the decoration of the Transfiguration Cathedral.

At the Old Fraternal Cemetery, guests will get acquainted with the amazing fates of Valaam ascetics of former times.

Souvenirs
Icons and candles can be bought in the icon and souvenir shops of the monastery.

Features:

A walking tour that starts from the pier of Bolshaya Nikonovskaya Bay in the south-west of the Valaam Archipelago.

DURATION: 2-3 hours

THE OBJECTS OF THE VISIT:

* Picturesque Rocky Shore Bay

* "Nikon Fort"

* Lake Ladoga

Rocky coast

During the walking tour, you will see the picturesque Rocky Shore Bay. Professional guides will tell you about the Nikon Fort, a Finnish military fortification built during the Soviet–Finnish and World War II. In addition, you will learn more about the unique nature of Valaam, as well as see the largest lake in Europe – Ladoga.

Features:

For cruises lasting from 5 days, the boat is included in the price. If the duration of the cruise is less than 5 days, a walking tour to the central estate is offered. At the request of the tourist, you can purchase a boat ticket for an additional fee directly on board the ship.

DURATION: 2-3 hours

THE OBJECTS OF THE VISIT:

* Spaso-Preobrazhensky Cathedral;

* The place of prayer solitude of Elder Nazariy;

* Architectural and landscape complex of the Hegumen cemetery;

* Military Memorial.

Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery

Visiting the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery on your own, you will be able to see

• the central manor of the monastery,
• Mount Tabor,
• the marble Znamenskaya Chapel,
• The Holy gates of the monastery,
• The Gate Church of Peter and Paul,
• The Assumption Refectory Church is the oldest surviving one on the island,
• The main functioning temple of the monastery is the majestic Transfiguration Cathedral.

Alexander I's visit

In the XVIII century, the Venerable elder Nazarius, the organizer of the Valaam monastery, created a place of prayer solitude on Valaam, which was visited by Alexander I during his highest visit in August 1819. After Nazarius, his disciple, schemonach Nicholas "The Humblest" settled in this place.

During the tour, you will be able to see the preserved foundation of the ascetic's desert and the place of his burial.

The unique nature of Valaam

In the middle of the nineteenth century, an arboretum nursery was established near the monastery, where trees and ornamental shrubs brought from different regions of Russia were bred. The main task of the nursery was the formation of beautiful Valaam landscapes.

In the second half of the XIX century, an architectural and landscape complex of the new Abbot cemetery appeared on the site of the nursery. A corner is being created here that reminds us of the splendor of paradise mansions and the immortality of the human soul. In a small area around the man-made church hill, the most exotic trees for Valaam were planted:

• broad-leaved elms,
• fragrant lime trees,
• Siberian fir trees,
• cedar pines.

You will hear a story about the fate of the abbots of the Valaam monastery, whose graves are located behind the altar of the temple, and plunge into the history of the monastery up to the end of the 30s of the XX century.

Military Memorial

The dramatic pages of Soviet history are forever imprinted on the image of the Abbot's cemetery. In memory of the Valaam school cadets (boatswains and Jung), about the heroes of the Great Patriotic War, whose lives ended in the walls of the Valaam home for the disabled, a military memorial was built.

Professional guides will tell you about the events of the Soviet-Finnish and World War II, about the post-war history of Valaam, as well as about the revival of the monastery in 1989.

Souvenirs

In the icon and souvenir shops of the monastery, you can buy icons, candles, and submit notes. Gourmets can delight themselves with traditional cheese, which is produced on the farm of the Valaam monastery.

From the pier in the village of Hiidenselga, you will take comfortable buses to the village of Ruskeala, where the largest and most famous marble factories of Karelia have been operating since the XVIII century. Ruskeala village is located 30 km north of Sortavala, 20 km from the state border with Finland. Along the way, you will get acquainted with the history of this picturesque area, which was mastered during the Viking campaigns.

Before reaching the Ruskeala Mountain Park 5 km away, you will have a stop - there are waterfalls with as many as four names. You can walk along the picturesque suspension bridges, breathe clean air and admire the waterfalls of Akhinkoski. The guide will tell you what their name means in Finnish and the episodes of which famous film Stanislav Rostotsky shot here, why the river, where the streams of water flow, is brown in color and how the Finns nicknamed it for its bad and unpredictable temper. After a stop at the Ahinkoski Waterfalls, you will go to the Ruskeala Mountain Park. Nowadays, the park has become a kind of visiting card of the Republic of Karelia. Upon arrival, you will go on a walking tour of the park, which has a very rare status for Russia – at the same time a monument of nature and a monument of industrial culture. You will be able to take the route of the extended tour "The Road of the Mountain Masters", hear the history of local mining and marble mining, told by our guides, see an abandoned marble factory and a wonderful Italian quarry. And also visit all the most picturesque and well-equipped observation decks, admire the grand Marble Canyon with the purest emerald water. In addition, the guides will tell you which famous sights are decorated with Ruskeala marble in the color of white nights with greenish flashes similar to the northern lights. At the end of the tour in the park you will have free time, you can relax, take a walk, visit the locations that are located on its territory.

At the end of the tour, you will return to the pier in the village of Hiidenselga on comfortable buses.

The Orthodox functioning monastery in the Leningrad region, 20 km from Lodeynoye Pole, is an architectural monument. The monastery was founded by St. Alexander Svirsky at the end of the XV century in the sparsely populated Olonets forest region among the settlements of pagan peoples — Karelians, Veps, Chudis. Soon Alexander Svirsky had students. Even during the life of the founder, the monastery was formed as two interconnected, but independently located complexes (departments): Troitsky with fraternal cells and Preobrazhensky — next to the cemetery. They are connected by a road running along the Roshchinsky Lake. The sanctuary of the monastery is the incorruptible miraculous relics of St. Alexander Svirsky, located in the Transfiguration Cathedral.

Meeting of tourists at the pier of Svirstroy village with the accompanying group. A live tour is conducted by local residents. Whose houses are located near the pier. The tour takes place in the format of a leisurely walk along the Svir River from the pier and small streets. A story about the difficult history of the village of hydraulic builders. Monument to the victorious soldiers of the Second World War. Life after the war. Employment and leisure of the population now.

The main objects of the display are the monument to S.M. Kirov, a mass grave from the time of the Second World War, the Center for Culture and Leisure, the Administration building, the Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, an operating kindergarten, information about the Fish Factory and valuable fish species. The style and architecture of P. Svirstroy. Who was at the origin? We'll find the answers on a walking tour.

The city tour includes a tour of the main attractions of the city: the Shipbuilders Square and the Fraternal Cemetery.

The Shipbuilders Square appeared in the city park of Lodeynoye Pole in 2020 and immediately became a kind of business card of the city and its iconic space. There are numerous monuments dedicated to the Olonets shipyard:

• Commemorative sign in honor of the launching of the frigate "Shtandarta"
• The memorial sign on the site of Peter the Great's house, installed in 1832, was inaugurated on May 26, 1833
• Commemorative sign in honor of the discovery of Antarctica
• Exhibition pavilion "House of Peter the Great"

Here you will find a tour of the memorial signs + photo zones.

The Fraternal Cemetery

During the Great Patriotic War, the city of Lodeynoye Pole was actually on the front line. The front line ran along the Svir River. The right bank was occupied by Finnish troops. Only in June 1944, during the Svirsko-Petrozavodsk offensive operation, the territory of the district was liberated. Several monuments in the Shipbuilders Square and in its immediate surroundings are dedicated to these events. Here you can see:

• Stella to the troops of the Karelian Front
• Eternal Flame
• A memorial sign in honor of Lodeynopol residents who died during the Great Patriotic War
• Memorial sign "Black Tulip"
• Commemorative signs on the "Walk of Fame"

On the way to the Lodeynopolsky Museum of Local Lore, you can see the Svirskaya Pobedy Park (without visiting).

Lodeynopolsky Museum of Local Lore

The excursion program includes an introduction to the expositions:

"The nature of the region". There are three natural complexes: a forest, a swamp, and the coast of Ladoga. The exposition shows the peculiarities of the nature of the region, the need for the existence of protected areas, in particular, the Nizhne-Svirsky Reserve. The main exhibits are stuffed birds, stuffed squirrels, stuffed seals, stuffed foxes, photographs of animals.

The Olonets Shipyard exposition. It is dedicated to the shipyard established on the banks of the Sviri River by decree of Peter the Great at the beginning of the XVIII century. The hall also presents: models of ships; objects found at the place where the shipyard was (pile, knits, artel bowl, piece of resin); bell, barometer, tools used in the construction of ships (XVIII - XIX centuries); navigation instruments; stuffed penguin, penguin egg, earth from Antarctica, paintings, photographs and drawings.

The exposition "Lodeynoye Pole – a county town". The hall presents exhibits that give an idea of the county town of Lodeynoye Pole in the XVIII – XIX centuries. The pride of the museum are the picturesque copies of paintings by V.D. Polenov; the products of the ceramic factory of B.A.Fock: a jug, two plates and a high relief.

The exposition "Peasant life of Lodeynopolsky uyezd at the end of the XIX – early XX century." Presents tools and household items of peasants: a plow, a flax mill, a loom, a scythe, two spinning wheels, a millstone, peasant clothes: two women's skirts and a hoodie, linen towels, Oyat ceramics, birch bark products, cooperage, samples homemade peasant shoes, shoemaker's tools, a device for making felt boots, a drawing by S.N.Zenkov "The Middle Man".

The exhibition "The Edge at the beginning of the twentieth century." The exhibition presents the following topics: the participation of Lodeynopolites in the civil war; the construction of a section of the Murmansk Railway in the early 20th century; the construction of the Nizhne-Svirskaya hydroelectric power station; photographs from the life of the city before the war. A small part of the hall is dedicated to the repression in the district in the 1930s.

The exposition "The defense of Lodeynoye Pole during the Great Patriotic War". The advance of the Finnish units was stopped on the banks of the Sviri River near Lodeynoye Pole, thanks to the skillfully organized defense and heroism of the soldiers of our army in 1941. From the autumn of 1941 until the summer of 1944, they held back the onslaught of the Finnish units of the division of the 7th separate Army, blocking the enemy's path to besieged Leningrad. In June 1944, the Svir-Petrozavodsk offensive operation began from the shores of Sviri in the area of Lodeynoye Pole, during which enemy troops in South Karelia were defeated and Finland was withdrawn from the war. The city honors the exploits of the heroes of the Svir operation. The streets of the city bear their names. Svirskaya Pobedy Park is named the largest and most beautiful park, where the majestic monument "Monument-Order" stands. Trenches, pillboxes and a Finnish armored personnel carrier are also preserved here. There is a peculiar winged building in the very center of the park. This is a local history museum, the exhibits of which are lovingly collected by Lodeynopolsky local historians.

The sightseeing tour will take you through the main streets and squares of Petrozavodsk. You will visit (at the mouth) the Lososinka River, where in 1703, by decree of Peter I, an iron foundry was founded; walk along the Onega Embankment and see the monument to Peter I, go to the Governor's Park. You will take part in the program "Music, songs and dances of the Karelians", during which you will learn about ancient rituals, forgotten youth games, listen to songs and watch dances of the indigenous peoples of Karelia: Karelians, Veps, Finns and Russians.

Walking tour of the island, visit to the museum of wooden architecture. The ensemble of the Kizhi Pogost is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List as evidence of the highly developed carpentry skills of the Russian people.

Characteristics: pedestrian

Duration: 2 hours and 15 minutes

Features:

• The walking route is about 3.2 km, the territory of the island is without elevation differences, in wet places the paths are wooden decking
• The route is recommended for visitors visiting the Kizhi Museum-Reserve for the first time

Objects of inspection:

• Kizhi Churchyard Ensemble
• Oshevnev's House
• Elizarov's House
• Shchepin's House
• Chapel of St. Michael the Archangel
• Church of the Resurrection of Lazarus
• Church of the Intercession

The objects of the visit:

• One of the peasant houses
• Church of the Intercession

Kizhi Museum-Reserve

The Kizhi Museum-Reserve is one of the largest open—air museums in Russia. It is a unique historical, cultural and natural complex, which is a particularly valuable object of cultural heritage of the peoples of Russia. The basis of the museum collection is the Kizhi Pogost Ensemble, which is included in the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage List.

During the tour you will see the Kizhi architectural ensemble:

• Oshevnev's house
• Elizarov's house with interior elements of the hut of a simple Zaonezhsky peasant
• Shchepin's house is an example of an outstanding Zaonezhsky peasant dwelling of the early twentieth century
• Chapel of St. Michael the Archangel
• Church of the Resurrection of Lazarus
• Church of the Intercession
• one of the colorful peasant houses with national decoration

A museum with a unique exposition demonstrating the typical decoration of the dwelling of the prosperous peasantry of Zaonezhye in the XIX – XX century. Traditional interior elements are recreated here: an oven, benches along the walls and shelves-funnels passing over the benches.

Souvenirs

A gift shop is located near the marina. There you can buy themed books, photo albums, magnets, mugs, calendars and travel guides.

You can also bring as souvenirs:

• various models for the assembly of paper, wood and cardboard from which you can make three-dimensional miniatures of attractions
• puzzles with the Kizhi churchyard or the Transfiguration Church
• amulet dolls and wooden toys
• textiles with traditional Karelian embroidery
• products made of shungite and birch bark
• crafts from Karelian birch
• confectionery and tinctures from Karelian berries

Important. For the tour, it is important to choose comfortable clothes and shoes according to the weather, a hat and a supply of drinking water in hot weather, if necessary, take an umbrella or a raincoat with you.

Rules of conduct in temples. To visit Orthodox churches, the following recommendations should be followed: women should have their heads covered (headdress or headscarf), men, on the contrary, should be uncovered. People in short skirts or shorts will not be allowed into the temple.

Characteristics: pedestrian

Duration: 2 hours and 15 minutes

Features:

• The walking route is about 5 km long, all descents and ascents are smooth and do not require physical training; the route passes through an open area that is not protected from direct sunlight in sunny weather.
• The route is recommended for visitors who come to Kizhi Island again.

The objects of the visit:

• residential and outbuildings of the villages of Vasilevo and Yamka
• Naryina Mountain with the Spasskaya Chapel

Vasilevo village

You will take a walk through the ancient villages in the central part of the island of Kizhi — Yamke and Vasilevo, the first information about which by the middle of the XVI century. Today, museum staff live here. In the village of Vasilevo you will see the largest and most beautiful wooden houses on the island — the Sergeyeva house and the Sergin house with a courtyard, the chapel of the Assumption of the Virgin, built here before the famous multi-headed temples.

Then you will climb Narya Mountain, the highest point of the island, where the chapel of the Saviour stands now. Narya Mountain offers panoramic views of the numerous attractions of the "tourist" and "residential" parts of Kizhi Island, very different in atmosphere, but equally picturesque.

Yamka Village

On the other side of Naryina Gora is the village of Yamka, which also stretches along the shore of Lake Onega and includes numerous historical residential and outbuildings, most of which perform their functions to this day.

After the tour, you can explore the Kizhi architectural ensemble on your own and visit the Intercession Church.

Souvenirs

A gift shop is located near the marina. There you can buy themed books, photo albums, magnets, mugs, calendars and travel guides.

You can also bring as souvenirs:

• various models for the assembly of paper, wood and cardboard from which you can make three-dimensional miniatures of attractions
• puzzles with the Kizhi churchyard or the Transfiguration Church
• amulet dolls and wooden toys
• textiles with traditional Karelian embroidery
• products made of shungite and birch bark
• crafts from Karelian birch
• confectionery and tinctures from Karelian berries

Important. For the tour, it is important to choose comfortable clothes and shoes according to the weather, a hat and a supply of drinking water in hot weather, if necessary, take an umbrella or a raincoat with you.

Upper Mandrogi is an unusual tourist complex that has revived an ancient village that burned down during the war. The village is located in an area with unusual energy, on an island of the Svir River. The waters of the river originate in Onega and connect Lake Onega with Lake Ladoga.

In Mandrogi you will see beautiful wooden houses in the Russian style, many of them are decorated with intricate carvings painted in bright, juicy colors. During the construction of guest houses and hotels, classical principles of wooden architecture and carved decoration of facades were used. The interior recreates the atmosphere of rustic comfort. There are also traditional Russian craftsman houses where you can view and purchase products, plunge into the life of your ancestors.

Russian Russian folk-style outdoor tent can be used to accompany a folk music concert to enjoy a lunch in nature, consisting of simple traditional dishes and immerse yourself in the charm of the Russian village.

Shore meals are organized by the host party

The excursion program "Along the path of Holy Russia" introduces more than a thousand years of the city's history, monuments of archeology and architecture.

The journey begins on the southern outskirts of Ladoga, where the Old Doge St. Nicholas Monastery, reopened in 2002, is located. Legend relates the foundation of the monastery to the XIII century and connects it with the name of Alexander Nevsky. Today, you can see the monuments of the XIII-XIX centuries, visit the current church of St. John Chrysostom, venerate the relics of St. Peter the Great. St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, brought to the monastery after its renewal.

The walking route is a walk along Varyazhskaya Street, which is accompanied by a guide's story about the settlement of the central part of modern Old Ladoga, the preserved merchant houses of the turn of the XIX-XX centuries and the display of the monument to Princes Rurik and Oleg, installed in 2015.

The acquaintance with the history of the city continues at the exposition "Archeology of Ladoga". The presented finds tell about the life, appearance, and occupations of the townspeople of the IX-XVII centuries; they allow us to trace changes in costume, weapons, and everyday objects from the Viking Age to the Time of Troubles. The halls showcase finds obtained as a result of archaeological research in Ladoga during the 20th century.

During the walking tour, you will visit the Ladoga Fortress, get acquainted with the history and architecture of the complex, which is more than 1000 years old. You will learn about the main construction stages of the fortress and its reconstruction. You will visit the fortress yard, see fragments of fortifications of the XII-XVI centuries: parts of the fortress spinning wheel, a trading arch, towers.

The meeting place of the group is in front of the fortress.

At the end of the program, an independent return to the ship is provided.