RUSKELA: MAN-MADE PEARL OF KARELIA

Smothered in old green spruces and pines Ruskeala amazes with its crystal water and peacefulness. Pristine place, you think? Now very popular destination of Karelia, Russia’s North West, it used to be a quarry of stone mining for about three centuries. Varying in colours the marble itself was formed at the bottom of an ancient sea nearly two billion years ago. This huge bowl carved by man was filled with crystal ground waters.

I would call it both natural phenomena and historical heritage.

Marble from Ruskeala was used for facades of St. Isaac’s Cathedral,  Marble Palace, St. Michael’s Castle, interiors of the Winter Palace and  Kazan Cathedral in St.Petersburg.

WHAT TO DO IN RUSKEALA CANYON?

1. Find a spot to meditate and enjoy graceful cliffs

2. Find your source of inspiration3. Rent a boat

4. Dive

5. Do some extreme: Rope jumping and Zip line fly over the canyon6. Take a tour the Underground Lake formed in 1928 and to look into the depths of the marble designs.

7. There is a Rope park next to the Canyon.

Ruskeala can get quite busy especially during high season, but coming around 9-10 a.m. should be fine. The tour busses usually arrive about 12 o’clock. There are several souvenir shops with beautiful samples of Karelian Culture that will not leave you indifferent. When planning your visit to Ruskeala, keep in mind that there Waterfalls of Tohmajoki river close to Ruskeala. In addition, from Sortavala you can take a boat trip to explore Lagoda Lake skerries.

WHERE TO STAY?

Sortavala is 20 min drive and there are some hostels in the town. Hostel Lämpö is popular, Hotel Kaunis is also just in the centre, historical  Hotel Piipun Piha near the lake can be another option.