Kandalaksha: attractions and photos

Many cities in the Murmansk region attract tourists who love to solve the riddles of history. Kandalaksha is not an exception. Sights of this place, the first mention of which in the annals dates back to 1517, fascinate with its antiquity. What should be first of all to visit the travelers who found themselves in the territory of this village?

Let's explore the Kandalaksha labyrinth

How to start acquaintance with an ancient city? Kandalaksha labyrinth is a tourist attraction, which tourists should certainly see. A unique place is located on the northern shore of the White Sea, near the city of Kandalaksha. Scientists find it difficult to accurately answer the question of what the age of the amazing stone labyrinth, which is called "Babylon". It is assumed that it was created more than four thousand years ago.

"Babylon" is one of those mysterious places with which Kandalaksha is famous, whose sights are considered in this article. Researchers believe that the system of intricate moves was laid out by our distant ancestors from stones for conducting witch rituals. It is also possible that such labyrinths were used to bury the dead. This was done so that the souls of people who left this world could not get out to the living and did not disturb them.

Legend has it that "Babylon" is opened only for the elect, but nowadays everyone can wander through the labyrinth.

Ringing stones

Stones that are on the hill Volosyanoy, represent another mystery, which is famous for Kandalaksha. The sights of the city are impressive with diversity. This is a rock, such as the ultrabasite, which is attributed to magmatic origin. In its composition there are nickel metals, olin. The name of the attraction is due to the fact that when they hit the stones they make a long metallic ring.

Of course, scientists could not help but wonder why the "ringing" stones are making a sound. Studies have suggested that this is due to the presence in them of microcracks, which create a resonance of oscillations. Microcracks appeared as a result of the inevitable process of destruction, albeit slow in the conditions of the northern climate.

It is known that in the old days of this sight magical power was attributed. The "ringing" boulders even served as an object of worship, because people could not unravel their ringing.

Healing mud

Visitors to Kandalaksha can not only enjoy the study of the mysteries of history, but also take care of their own health. The healing mud of the Palkina lip has been helping people for many years cope with various ailments. It is worth to visit the famous hydrological natural monument, located off the coast of the White Sea. It is known that the area of the deposits here is about 400 hectares.

Benefits, which have therapeutic mud Palkina lip, was officially proven only in 1978. However, it is not the first century that pilgrims from different parts of the country flock here, dreaming to get rid of diseases. During the Great Patriotic War, mud was used to heal the wounded. Now it is actively used by hospitals and sanatoria in the Murmansk region.

In the fight against what diseases does healing mud really help? It is established that it can be used in the treatment of diseases of the peripheral nervous system, GIT, joints. It is also an effective tool for preventing such diseases.

Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Of course, not all the interesting places by which Kandalaksha is famous are mentioned above. Attractions related to religion also deserve the attention of tourists. The Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin is considered a highlight of the village of Varguz, located not far from Kandalaksha.

It is known that the church was first mentioned in the annals in 1563, its construction was completed in the 17th century. Master Clement created this temple without the use of nails. It happened in a difficult period of the split, it is not surprising that the church was created in a tent-like style, against which Patriarch Nikon fought.

The upper tier of the structure looks like an eight-walled frame, topped with a dome and an eight-pointed cross. The massive base is made of wood, has the form of a cross. The walls of the building are decorated with carvings, they depict scales and a kokoshnik. The area of the inner hall is about 70 square meters.

Church of St. Nicholas

St. Nicholas Church is located in a small village of Kovda, also located not far from Kandalaksha. It must be seen by tourists who are interested in monuments of wooden architecture. Unfortunately, the researchers were unable to find out the date of construction of the structure. However, it is established that the church took the place of the St. Nicholas Church, which contains information in the annals dating from the 15th century.

St. Nicholas Church has a difficult history. The religious structure was closed in 1960, for several decades remained abandoned. Restoration work began in the 1990s, but the lack of funding did not allow them to be completed quickly. At the moment the temple already has its original appearance. It is also known that approximately 70% of the original building material has been preserved.

The Worship Cross

Poklonnaya cross on Mount Krestova is another attraction that all believing tourists aspire to see. It is easy to guess that the mountain received its name precisely because a cross was installed on its top. In 1915, the storm that swept the Kola Peninsula, demolished the product.

The new Poklonnaya Cross, whose height was about five meters, was created only in 2006. This happened thanks to activists living in Kandalaksha. The product was made of steel, which explains its weight, which is about 200 kg. On top of the mountain it is worth climbing not only for the sake of the cross, but also for the sake of the most beautiful view of the city.

Silver mine

What other tourist attractions are tourists of Kandalaksha in the Murmansk region? There are a lot of natural monuments on the territory of the city and its environs. One of them is a silver mine on the Bear Island. You can reach it only by sea, for example, from Kandalaksha. However, unfortunately, it is forbidden to land on the island.

It is known that it was the silver mined on the Bear Island that went to the coinage of the first Russian ruble, which happened in 1736.

What else to see

What other attractions are worth seeing for tourists who are attracted to Kandalaksha in the Murmansk region? We have already realized that it is a sin for the city to complain about the lack of natural beauties. Be sure to visit the charming waterfall, located on the river Chapoma, which is considered the largest waterfall of the Kola Peninsula. On both sides it is framed by small rocky shores, which gives it the appearance of a canyon. In this territory spontaneous tourist activity is forbidden, therefore only people who have got a corresponding excursion will be able to visit the waterfall.

These are the main attractions that must necessarily be seen by travelers traveling to Kandalaksha.