In Valaam from St. Petersburg: cruises or independently. Valaam Island: prices, reviews and how to get there

This is the largest island, located in the north of the Valaam archipelago. Here is a village of the same name, which is part of the Sorgaval urban settlement. According to legends, once it was the land of the god Veles ...

General information

The island of Valaam is twenty-two kilometers from the mainland. The length of this land area is 9.6 km, width is 7.8 km. It consists of two islands separated by the Jordan River. This is how locals call the Leshchev and Brick channels. In addition, the island stands Mount Olive.

Climate

On Valaam in the summer, on average, thirty-thirty-five sunny days more than on the mainland. The temperature in July is +17 degrees. Winter is snowy, comes in early December. The average February temperature is -8 degrees.

Flora and fauna

We can argue that no one will be indifferent to the trip to the island of Valaam from St. Petersburg. The testimonies of those who were fortunate enough to visit this paradise, clearly show this. It should be noted that the positive responses of travelers are connected not only with the inspection of the oldest Russian monastery, but also with the bright, expressive and original nature of these places.

On the territory of the archipelago, there are more than four hundred and eighty species of plants, most of them planted by monks. In the forests you will be accompanied by voiced voices of numerous birds nesting on the island. In addition, there are hares, foxes, squirrels, moose. And if you suddenly zabredete in secluded uncrowded corners, you can see carelessly settled on the rocks Ladoga seals, which have long been listed in the Red Book.

Secrets of the island

The history of this place is covered with riddles and secrets. And, of course, the local residents will tell the best about them. Here there is the Fear Lake, where, as the old-timers say, you can hear "Ladoga thunders" - barantis, and also observe mirages - unusual islands or ships soaring up to the sky, etc. Stone roads and masonry, it is not known when and by whom, too Add to the island of mystery.

Valaam today

In our time, this island can hardly be called secluded, especially in the summer. Increasingly, one can hear opinions that an endless stream of tourists to the island of Valaam from St. Petersburg and other Russian cities should be stopped or at least limited. But today there are plenty of people here.

Excursions around the island start from the Resurrection Skete, a regular bus service runs to the monastery. The tourist sector is well developed - there are tents selling souvenirs everywhere.

On the island of Valaam, guests arrive in two ways - as pilgrims and as part of tourist groups. However, I would like to give you advice: if you want to experience the truly legendary atmosphere of the island - break away from traditional excursions, study it yourself.

Attractions Valaam

Undoubtedly, this is one of the most famous Russian monuments in the open air. Its main attraction is the Transfiguration Monastery, which was founded in the 11th-13th centuries. A more precise date of its occurrence is not established. In those days, apart from religious and cultural functions, he also carried out defensive functions. Preobrazhensky monastery has a difficult history - it was repeatedly destroyed and ruined by the Swedes. In 1611, it was almost completely destroyed.

After Karelia became part of the Russian State, the monastery was rebuilt by building it from a tree. However, the magnificent work of art of architects was again destroyed - this time a fatal role played a fire.

It was then, in 1837, it was decided to erect a monastery from stone. Its main building is the Transfiguration Monastery - almost seventy-three meters high. In it to this day the relics of the Reverend Herman and Sergius of Valaam are stored. The icon of the Valaam Mother of God is no less valuable for Orthodox Christians . The bright blue domes of the monastery rushed to the sky and glowed in the sun.

Savior Transfiguration Monastery

In this monastery with a long history, by the beginning of the sixteenth century, there were more than six hundred monks. In the eighteenth century, when he was headed by the Saratov elder Nazarii, the construction of a monastery of stone began. By the middle of the nineteenth century, it was a small state, having its autocrat - abbot, spiritual police, subsistence farming and rigid statute-law.

Architecture

The central manor is located on a high hill and is a very slender and strict ensemble, in the center of which is the monastery. It can be seen from different points of the island. The monastery is surrounded by corps of fraternal cells, and the slopes of the hill amaze and admire the splendor of the gardens.

The cathedral is cross-domed. Eight pillars divide it into three naves. Winter, the lower church is consecrated in the name of George and Sergius, the upper church is consecrated in the name of the Transfiguration. Thirteen bells were previously fortified on a multi-tiered bell tower, of which only the largest has survived to date. The belfry is crowned by a tent roof on an octagonal drum. To the front staircase leading from the pier, the Holy Gates and the church of Paul and Peter are painted, executed in the style of Russian classicism of the eighteenth century.

To the northern line of the monastery estate is adjoined an old cemetery, where burials were held until the middle of the nineteenth century.

Nikolsky Island

Located at the exit from the Monastery Bay. His monks mastered the eighteenth century. In those days there was a fishing settlement and a wooden cross. In its place the monks built the chapel of the Wonderworker Nicholas, the patron saint of all seafarers. In 1883 the church was erected here. Twelve monks lived in the monastery, engaged in fishing and carried out the inspection of newly arrived pilgrims (Valaam categorically forbade bringing tobacco and alcohol).

Particularly striking is the monastery of All Saints who travels to Valaam from St. Petersburg and other cities of the country on the island of Skitsky. This was the most severe construction on the territory of the monastery - pilgrims were admitted here only once a year. The monastery appeared in 1770, in the middle of the eighteenth century a church was built here in the name of Alexander Svirsky. For three years (from 1842 to 1845) eight buildings were built, which then were combined with a blank fence in the form of a rectangle. At the corners were installed towers with hipped roofs.

What else can I watch on my own

If you have the opportunity to be on Valaam, try to give as much time as possible to the "wild nature". Believe me, there is something to see here - Rocky coast, Marvelous bay, etc. Often the trip takes a whole day, but it's worth it. You can just walk along the ancient roads, monastic avenues, and then the desire you desire will surely come true.

Cruises from St. Petersburg: Valaam

Getting to this mysterious island is not as difficult as it might seem at first glance. For many years, travel agencies of our country organize trips there. The most popular tour to the island of Valaam is from St. Petersburg. Excursions are carried out constantly. The northern capital and the most picturesque place of Karelia are divided into two hundred and twenty kilometers.

While swim to this fabulous island, there is a feeling of unreality of everything that is happening. Age-old pines and majestic rocks seem to be something unusual, sublime, as if emerging from some other, calm and measured life.

The cost of travel

If you decide to make an exciting trip to the island of Valaam from St. Petersburg, the prices for travel agency services will surely interest you. The cost of the trip can be different. It all depends on the class of the vessel on which you plan to take a walk.

For traveling on a comfortable boat, an adult passenger will have to pay from eight to twenty-one thousand rubles, depending on the cabin class and its location on the ship. A children's ticket costs an average of seven to nine and a half thousand.

One can take a one-day excursion to Valaam from St. Petersburg. The meteor will take you to the island under the Pilgrimage Service program of the Valaam Monastery. In the summer months such trips are made daily. Its cost is about four - four and a half thousand rubles.

Certainly among the travelers, there are many who want to go to the island of Valaam from St. Petersburg on their own. For this you can use your own water transport. However, one must know that you will be allowed to moor on the island only in the Monastery Bay, at the quay of the museum. As an exception, during a storm, mooring is allowed near the old pier in Nikonovskaya Bay.

Where better to stop

If you decided to go to Valaam from St. Petersburg yourself, naturally, you will have a question about where to settle on the island. Here there are three hotels - Igumen, Mansard, Winter. During school summer vacations, there is one more - in the school building. You can settle in the private sector, although the locals, according to experienced travelers, rent housing is not very welcome.

Fans of extreme can be settled in their own tent on two designated for this purpose sites. There will be no problems with food either. The berths of Nikon and Monastery Bay are open summer cafes. According to the reviews of tourists, they are fed pretty well. In addition, the village has a small grocery store.

The trip to Valaam is very informative. Therefore, if you are going to this fascinating journey, be sure to bring your children with you.