Ruskeala, marble quarry and the waterfalls real paradise for those who are tired of the heat, beaches and endless palm trees.

Be sure that in Karelia you will not find anything of this - only northern nature, which will captivate with its severity and incredible beauty.

History of the mountain park

Ruskeala is a relatively young attraction - this park opened its doors to tourists only at the beginning of 2005.

Remarkably, the park is a private property and was built by Ladoga entrepreneurs, who in two years ennobled the surroundings of the quarry and built tourist infrastructure, spending more than half a million rubles.

But the territories on which Ruskeala Park is today were not always Russian - until the mid-1700s, these territories were assigned to the Swedish side, which were engaged in the development of marble deposits.

Russia, however, gained control over these lands only at the end of the Northern War, but the development of marble deposits was not resumed. They remembered these fruitful places only at the beginning of the reign of Catherine II, who ordered the extraction of marble - then the development of gray, white, gray-blue and green marble was resumed.

The resumption of work was not accidental and was due to the construction of St. Petersburg, which required large material costs.

Today, Ruskeala marble can be seen near the Hermitage - the famous atlantes at the entrance to the museum are made from it, as well as floors in the Kazan Cathedral and wall cladding in St. Isaac's Cathedral. A considerable number of marble elements are also found in the Mikhailovsky Castle. You can meet the materials even in Belarus - there they made decorations for the memorial of the Brest Fortress.

In 1939 work on the extraction of marble in the quarry was again stopped due to the outbreak of war between the Soviet Union and Finland. The end of the Great Patriotic War led to attempts to revive marble quarrying, however, during the work, the aquifer was practically destroyed, and the water began to arrive at an incredible speed - frightened workers abandoned their equipment and hurriedly left the quarry.

Such - filled with water and with abandoned equipment on the banks - Ruskeala Canyon remained until the beginning of the 70s of the last century. In 73, new workings began to be created near the main basin. However, such a close location of the workings to each other and to the main canyon itself limited the possibilities of workers, since the risk of the collapse of the marble walls turned out to be too high, and therefore marble is mined there today, but in very, very small quantities.

mountain park combined several Karelian attractions and made their viewing convenient and - most importantly - safe.

Each of the attractions is equipped viewing platforms and security fortifications, as well as guides working in the park who will help you not to get lost and not miss anything interesting.

So, the first thing tourists go to the mountain park for is, of course, the Marble quarry. This is not at all surprising, because even in the photo the canyon impresses with its scale and beauty. What can we say about the sensations that you experience, looking at it with your own eyes?

A truly man-made work of art, which human hands have been knocking out of a monolithic stone for many centuries, with the participation of nature, which has flooded a marble bowl with crystal clear water, makes an indelible impression.

Along the quarry throughout its entire length (and it is nearly 500 meters long) a path has been laid from which you can see absolutely the entire canyon, its grottoes and caves, mines and drifts.

There are places on the coast entrance to which is strictly prohibited. This is due to the fact that relatively recently several tens of tons of earth went into the water.

Also on the territory of Ruskeala there are small quarries - some of them are abandoned, and some are still being developed.

Slightly inferior in popularity adits. On the territory of the park there is only one unflooded adit, inside which you can go even without an instructor. The rest were buried under the water column by the Finns after the war with the USSR.

Adits are a special type of workings. Their distinctive feature is the presence of an exit to the surface, that is, they are through holes in the marble firmament of a horizontal or vertical direction.

Inside the adit is always damp, water drips even from the ceiling. In summer, snow can be found in its depths.

The third most popular Ruskeala failure, the appearance of which dates back to the 60s of the last century and is due to numerous explosions carried out to create new workings.

Today it is allowed to descend into the failure with the help of a special rope. But this is not just entertainment - going down, you will find yourself in a tunnel that will lead you to the very "heart" of the marble mine.

More recently, the failure made it possible to go to the main career, but now the passages were littered.

winter lovers extreme recreation they take skates with them on the slopes and arrange mass skating in the failure.

And closes the number of attractions Ruskeala Park italian canyon. In this territory, relatively recently, the Italians began to develop marble, but its quality turned out to be extremely low, which did not justify the cost of work and the hopes of the foreign guests themselves.

This is due to the fact that in order to obtain material High Quality must be obtained from maximum depth. Marble in the upper layers of the earth is too fragile.

But thanks to them, today's tourists mountain park can look at marble in section.

Rest in the Marble Quarry

Undoubtedly, the most popular pastime among visitors to Ruskeala is the excursions offered by the park. a large number of. However, fans of extreme recreation do not like such events.

For such visitors have also developed many ways to relax. The first of these is diving in the pool of the main marble quarry- or, in simple terms, immersion in water.

Often, visitors come to the Mountain Park precisely for the sake of these descents - a considerable number of so-called speleologists or tech divers love to dive in the reservoir. People come here from all over the country, but most often from the two capitals - Moscow and St. Petersburg, for the reason that the Karelian marble canyon the only place that has underwater caves and has almost crystal clear water.

So, in the quarry pool itself, visibility under water is 13 meters, but in adits it is much higher - more than 17 meters.

But do not delude yourself - if you do not have sufficient experience in diving, no one will let you into the caves.

It will be interesting to dive also because at the bottom of the canyon there is a large number of abandoned equipment. It is of Finnish origin - it was this people that flooded a large number of cars, motorcycles and even a crane, before the start of hostilities with Soviet Union in the year 39 of the last century.

To date, there are several routes for underwater explorers, which differ, first of all, in the degree of difficulty.

The second most popular entertainment in the park is ropes and bungees.

The first one is used for zip line- flying over the canyon on a rope. With bungee ropes, they jump from certain sites.

Rowing boats are also in great demand. walks on the pond. From mid-May until the end of September, equipment rental is open, with which you can get to know this natural beauty better. In addition, you get the opportunity to swim inside the grotto.

But be prepared for the fact that you will have to row yourself.

In winter, there is another unusual attraction - husky sledding. The track for sledding has a length of almost 3 kilometers.

Karelian waterfalls

Karelian waterfalls are considered to be one of the the most beautiful places Russia, which attract crowds of tourists. In addition, waterfalls are a great way to diversify your vacation.

The first most popular waterfall is Kivach. It is the second largest in the entire European territory, second only to the Rhine Falls. The height of the Russian one is about 11 meters, and it is located on the Suna River.

There is a legend about the origin of this miracle of nature among the Karelian people. According to it, in ancient times there were two rivers - Suna and Shuya, which were sisters. They constantly kept close, but at one point Suna got tired and, in order to rest, left the channel, giving way to her sister. But she rushed forward from her sister - in the morning Suna noticed the loss and rushed after her, sweeping away everything in her path. so, the place where she broke through a stone block, and a waterfall arose.

Today the waterfall is located on the territory of the reserve of the same name.

Next in popularity Ruskeala waterfalls. There are practically no excursions on them, since the Tohmajoki River, on which they are located, is perfectly visible from the highway. Near it there are equipped parking lots, which allow you to view the natural landmark in more detail and soak up its energy.

The complex includes four waterfalls up to four meters high. Additional fame brought them the shooting of the film "The Dark World", held on their territory.

Of particular interest for rafting lovers is the Ahvenkoski waterfall.

The third most popular place is occupied by another complex - White Bridges. It consists of two waterfalls located at a small distance from each other. They got their name from real bridges - unfortunately, today only fragments remain of these Finnish buildings.

The height of the fall is about 20 meters, which makes the White Pillars one of the highest in all of Karelia.

There are always very few tourists on their territory - this is due to the fact that the road to the sights has fallen into disrepair for a long time, and public transport does not go there.

But in summer, waterfalls provide a unique opportunity to get unique sensations - during this period, the water level in it decreases and this allows you to rinse under falling water, as if in a shower.

Mountain park "Ruskeala" in the Republic of Karelia

Ruskeala (Republic of Karelia) is a magnificent park and a unique marble quarry with clear emerald water and underground caves. The history of this place began several centuries ago, and today one of the most beautiful natural parks in our country is located in this amazing mountainous area.

Quarry history

The Ruskeala marble quarry is a huge thicket cut down by human hands, almost 500 m long. Initially, the area belonged to the Swedes, where they mined high quality banded marble. After the end of the Northern War, the border Russian Empire expanded significantly. Karelian quarries ended up on Russian territory. Peter I presented these lands to one of his close associates. So in these places the Ruskeala settlement was formed.

Active development of the quarry resumed during the reign of Catherine II. The Empress ordered the use of Ruskeala marble deposits in the construction of new palaces and cathedrals. The facade of St. Isaac's Cathedral is decorated with stone, the building of the Hermitage is lined with it, and the floors in the Kazan Cathedral are laid out.

403 Forbidden

403 Forbidden

openresty

In the middle of the XIX century. Marble mining ceased, and the once valuable mineral began to be broken into rubble and used for the production of building lime. The misfortune that occurred during the Russian-Finnish war helped the career to turn from an abandoned quarry into a pearl of Ruskeala nature. A huge pit during the demolition work was simply flooded with the waters of a nearby river.

However, the Soviet government could not abandon the mineral-rich region of Karelia - the marble quarry was reopened and partially restored. Mining has resumed. They led it in several ways at once. It was during this period that a whole network of underground passages, adits, tunnels and caves appeared in the mountain range.

The war with fascist Germany caused irreparable industrial damage to the marble canyon Ruskeala, Karelia was almost completely under the bombing of enemy aircraft. On the former scale, stone mining was no longer carried out, although they still had time to revet several stations of the St. Petersburg metro. A new milestone in history locality Ruskeala in Karelia began in 2002. picturesque places turned into a mountain park with a recreation center. Now here everyone can rent a cottage and relax among the amazing Karelian nature.

Attractions

Today, the Ruskeala mountain park is well organized. Everything has been done in it for the convenience of vacationers, but with minimal damage to natural beauties. Guarded parking, Russian-style houses and cottages, an open-air kitchen, a wood-fired sauna and even a small amusement park - tourists do not have to worry about anything. Nevertheless, most visitors come to the park not to relax in comfortable conditions, but to admire the local nature. Fantastic waterfalls, some of which do not freeze even in winter, clean rivers, mountains surrounded by centuries-old forests - there is something to see here.

But the main attraction of the complex is, of course, the famous marble quarry with clear emerald water. It is surrounded by neat paths made of Ruskeala marble, underground labyrinths at a depth of 200 m, a safe tourist route has been laid. Summer nights The quarry is illuminated with colorful lights, and in winter it turns into a real ice castle. Tourists in the marble quarry are offered a lot of entertainment, including:

• Boating and fishing. There are so many people who want to ride on the purest water, the transparency of which allows you to look 15 m deep, that you need to sign up in a queue in advance.
• Diving. You can not only swim along the canyon, but also dive to the very depths, seeing its underwater world with your own eyes.
• Rope bridge walk. A special rope bridge with insurance will be stretched across the quarry at a height of 24 m. The tourist walks along one rope and holds on to the other two. You do not need to be a climber and have special skills to see the sights of the park from such a height.
• Cliff jump. Breathtaking flight from a height of 24m. Free fall distance is 10m.
• Trolls. This is a passage along a special cable from the lowest point of the quarry to the highest. Another attraction that will take your breath away.

Russia is rich in natural beauties, but Ruskeala Park is amazing place, an analogue of which can hardly be found anywhere else. It is not necessary to rent a cottage to visit the complex. For tourists, students, schoolchildren and foreign guests There are regular guided tours in the park. Moreover, small children and WWII veterans can visit the complex for free. The cost of living in the mountain park includes only rental housing. All services, as well as visits to various facilities are paid separately. A house or a whole cottage for several families can be rented both on the territory of the complex and outside it.

Wednesday evening, the first warm weekend is approaching and the age-old question "What to do?" comes to the fore. The answer is obvious - go to desert island! Quickly figuring out that buying a small tropical island, which are offered in abundance on the Internet, is beyond the budget for this weekend, decided to spit on climate zone and find an island with a free visit;) It turned out that there are many such islands in the Ladoga skerries, and that in a place called Lumivaara (which is not far from Landepokhya) at the camp site of the same name, you can rent a boat and raid any island you like in order to rob it and enslavement.

The site of the camp site modestly reported that among the attractions nearby, in Ruskeala, are the Marble Quarry (Marble Lake) and the waterfall on the Tokhmajoki River - the same one where the film "The Dawns Here Are Quiet" was filmed. Remembering the rave reviews of friends about these places, we decided - we are going to Ruskeala, and then we will occupy the island in skerries. For the needs of the trip, a tent, sleeping bags, an ax, bowlers, a flashlight and three cans of stew of different varieties were urgently bought (in order to find out which is the tastiest). We are ready! :)

Go! A little about the road

The long-awaited Saturday morning, the souls bounce and rush forward. The navigator plots a route from St. Petersburg to Ruskeala through Priozersk, but at the same time says that it will take more than 6 hours to travel 300 km. We frivolously decide that the navigator is stupid))

The freshness of the early morning, the sun, while the roads are still empty. The mood is super, we sing songs, laugh)) The road to Priozersk, with the exception of a couple of short sections, is good. But behind Priozersk, post-war asphalt begins, which was never patched up after the bombing. The thought flashes in my head that the navigator is not such a fool;) After 20 km, the remains of the asphalt end and we roll out onto the dirt road with relief. On the border of Karelia, we are met by a beautiful, smooth, like a table, road. However, exactly after 10 km this lure turns (no, not into a pumpkin!) Back into a dirt road, which stretches almost to Landepokhja. I must say that the primer is quite decent and allows you to keep the speed of 60-80 km / h.

Korela fortress

Immediately at the entrance to Priozersk, on the left side (near the tank), there is an earthen fortress called "Korela". Originally built by the Novgorodians, it was later taken over by the Swedes, who invested in this property for a hundred years. After which they were thanked and took the fortress back.

The fortress is known for the fact that both wives of Emelyan Pugachev and his three children were kept in it for 30 years. Such a sad story.

marble quarry

We were lucky and we turned off the road exactly where we needed)) If you drive from St. Petersburg, you need to turn left immediately after the bridge over the Tohmajoki River. After a kilometer and a half, the path led us to the Ruskeala mountain park.

For a couple of minutes we were torn between the desire to eat and the desire to immediately see and touch everything. Curiosity, of course, won, and a couple of livers were sacrificed to the feeling of hunger. And we dived into the beautiful :)

It is difficult to convey in words the magic of a warm, sunny spring day, the aroma of resin, the smells of nature that has just awakened, the cries of seagulls echoing from the marble shores, the infinity of space under your feet and the silent admiration of this beauty. Be sure to leave the path and wander along the edge of the cliff, sit on the warm stone slopes and answer the echo of your voice.

old adit

At the northern end of the quarry there is an adit - a deep vertical shaft cut into the rock, at the bottom of which is dusk, cold and blocks of ice. An ideal cellar :) Approximately in the middle of the shaft there is a horizontal passage through which you can get to the bridge. Only a piece of the sky is visible from the bridge, and the sun bypasses this gloomy place.

Failure: Ice Realm

Imagining ourselves as prisoners of the dungeon, we moved towards the mysterious failure, which was formed as a result of the collapse of the vault of one of underground galleries. When we went down the stairs to the failure, an unusual-looking man called us and offered to go down into the failure on ropes. If you meet this person - agree immediately, it's worth it :) We got a lot of vivid emotions from descending from a 12-meter height and skiing on transparent ice.

As soon as you touch the ice, you enter another world. This world hardly changes... When it's hot in June, there's still ice here. It is quiet and resonant here, the transparent ice a quarter of a meter thick is covered with long cracks. In one of the corners of the cave, ice stalactites and stalagmites grew during the winter. And you can sit on the ice throne, imagining yourself as the Snow Queen :)

Our expedition to the bottom of the failure was not in vain: a thawed frog was found and rescued on the ice, despite its desperate resistance. In the pocket of the jacket, we raised it to the surface and released it into a warm puddle near the Italian quarry))

Waterfall on Tohmajoki

As it turned out, we slipped through the waterfall on the way to Marble Lake without even noticing)) Apparently, our attention was diverted by numerous wooden gazebos directly at the bridge over Tohmajoki. Under the edge of the forest along the coast, thick ice is still hiding. The taut water rolling over the granite threshold is like molten glass. Stone plate trembles underfoot from the sound of water. Beautiful and strong.

The finish

Tired and hungry, but contented and happy, we traded an uninhabited island in skerries for an uninhabited lawn near a small lake somewhere along the road. The smoke of the campfire, dinner cooked on the fire, and a quiet sunset completed this magical day.

Ruskeala mountain park

How to get to Ruskeala mountain park

The park is located 25 km from the city of Sortavala, not far from the village of Ruskeala.

On the public transport: can be reached with a change in the city of Sortavala.

From St. Petersburg- by train Saint-Petersburg - Kostomuksha (from the Ladoga railway station) to the city of Sortavala. Travel time 5.5 hours.

From Petrozavodsk- by bus Petrozavodsk - Sortavala or Petrozavodsk - Lakhdenpokhya (to Sortavala). Travel time is about 6 hours.

How to get from the city of Sortavala to the village of Ruskeala:

From Sortavala there is a bus to Vartsila, which stops in Ruskeala. The bus station and railway station in Sortavala are located in different parts cities.

By car: both from Petrozavodsk and St. Petersburg can be reached through the city of Sortavala.

From Petrozavodsk- via Pryazha, Kolatselga and Lyaskelya (along the R-21 highway). Distance 280 km.

From St. Petersburg- along the Priozersky highway through Priozersk along the A-129 highway. Distance 250 km.

Having reached the city of Sortavala, you need to move in the direction of the village of Vartsila. After 25 km there will be the village of Ruskeala.

Pass through the village of Ruskeala or walk along the main road to the bridge over the Tohmajoki River. Immediately after the bridge there will be a left turn to the quarry.

Map of Karelia

What to watch

The main attraction of the Mountain Park is the Marble Canyon - a mining monument of the late 18th - early 20th centuries. Marble Canyon is a former quarry filled with the purest groundwater for the extraction of different types of marble. Ruskeala marble was used in the construction of the most beautiful and significant buildings in St. Petersburg and its palace suburbs. St. Isaac's Cathedral is lined with it, the floors of the Kazan Cathedral are laid out with it, windows are framed Marble Palace and the facade of the Mikhailovsky Castle.

In the process of marble extraction, three quarries were formed, connected by adits. Stone mining stopped, and the old abandoned Ruskeala quarries turned into beautiful mountain lakes - white marble bowls filled with the purest bluish-green water. Long-idle mines and adits have become like mysterious caves and grottoes. The banks of the canyon, rising steeply above the emerald surface of the water, are riddled with surface and underwater adits, drifts and shafts. Although the Marble Canyon is the main attraction of Ruskeala, many picturesque rocks and stones can be found nearby.

Entrance to the park is paid. In the park, you can walk around the flooded quarry along a well-groomed path, see the working workings and monuments of industrial architecture, and go down into the caves. There is a pier on the canyon where you can rent a boat.On the boat you can see the sheer marble walls from the water and get into the mysterious grottoes and adits.

Around

Waterfalls on the Tohmajoki River are located on the 17th km of the highway Sortavala - Vartsila. It was here that several episodes of the film "The Dawns Here Are Quiet" were filmed. The waterfalls are not very big, but stormy and picturesque, there is a small lake.

In North-west Lake Ladoga located unusual tourist place — Ruskeala marble quarry. Unusual because a simple quarry has been turned into a tourist attraction. As a result, it turned out interesting place which attracts tourists from all over Russia.

Nowadays Ruskeala canyon- it's a whole tourist complex with all necessary infrastructure. The basis of this complex is marble quarry, which has been developed since 1766. This establishment is called Ruskeala mountain park. But there are no mountains here, there are adits left from the production of marble.

After the cessation of development, the quarry gradually filled with water.

The park is designed for guests of different categories and preferences.

St. Isaac's Cathedral in St. Petersburg, part of the Kazan Cathedral, the Hermitage - inside, Mikhailovsky Castle, as well as the Primorskaya and Ladoga metro stations are lined with Ruskeala marble.

Big family with small children will be able to walk along special safe tourist routes with viewing platforms and benches for rest. The routes are laid around the quarry and include the passage through the cave. After walking, you can go down to the quarry, rent a boat and ride on the turquoise-blue water surface. The water is calm, there is no wind.

Families are more active they will add trolley riding to their program - a cable stretched across a quarry. You will be put on a special suspension system, fastened to a roller suspended from a cable and pushed down. In a few seconds you will roll down to the other bank with a lot of emotions.

For the curious right behind the mountain park, a lime factory has kindly been abandoned. The place is interesting, but dangerous - the old furnaces are gradually collapsing. There are many interesting objects in Ruskeala - often turn off the main routes and see everything.

If you are a diver, then you have the opportunity to dive into clear water into the flooded cave. At the bottom of the quarry, you can see the remains of mining equipment, ruins of marble, etc. St. Petersburg instructors conduct technical diving training here. You can dive both in summer and in winter under the ice.

Also, judging by the white traces of sports magnesia on some rocks, this place is visited by climbers. By the way, there are places for rock climbing in Karelia not far from here.

Parking and souvenir kiosks are equipped in front of the entrance to the park.

Ruskeala park on the map

Photos Ruskeala quarry

How to get to the Ruskeala marble quarry

By car from Petrozavodsk or St. Petersburg you need to go towards the city of Sortavala. Only from Petrozavodsk you need a little bit to get to it, but from St. Petersburg on the contrary - we pass Sortavala, then there will be the village of Helyulya, we also leave it behind. The main thing is not to miss the turn to the left (if you drive from Petrozavodsk - to the right). It will be about 7 km after Sortavala. There is a pointer "Vartsilya". And then without turning anywhere we reach Ruskeala and turn left immediately after the bridge. The total distance from St. Petersburg is 300 kilometers, from Petrozavodsk - 250.

By train - bus. From St. Petersburg (from Petrozavodsk similarly) we take the train, which stops in the city of Sortavala. We go out there and look for buses to Ruskeala. In addition to buses, in summer there are transfers organized by Sortavala hotels, in particular Piipun Piha (marked on the map). Getting there by public transport is not easy, but quite realistic.

GPS coordinates of a quarry in Ruskeala:

61.9448044N 30.5810452E

or depending on what system your navigator is running on:

61°56′41.3″N 30°34′51.8″E

Park opening hours

Marble quarry open daily from 10:00 to 21:00

Cost of visiting

• • Adults — 200 r.

• • Students - 150 rubles.

• • Schoolchildren - 100 rubles.

• Children under 7 years old - free of charge.

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

General information

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

Special atmosphere

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

Local Attractions

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

Quarry marble "Ruskeala"

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

picturesque views

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

Precautionary measures

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

Fundamental differences

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

Underground research

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

Features of the complex

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

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

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

"Ruskeala" (recreation center). General information

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

Entertainment

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

Where is the attraction located?

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