"The spiritual light of Russia" a Valaam Travel Page by Klod5

IIn the northern part of Lake Ladoga, which was called Nyevo in the ancient times, there lie numerous islands, the largest of them being Valaam. The clear waters of the rough lake wash an archipelago, intruding into the shores of the Valaam islands. There the shores form most picturesque bays and straits, many of which serve as a shelter for vessels seeking refuge from the fury of waves.

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Spaso-Preobrazhensky

Valaam is home to the hostel monastery named "Spaso-Preobrazhensky" (devoted to our Savior's Transfiguration). The monastery was founded as early as the 10th century by Saint Fathers Sergiy and Herman according to the church tradition, with sketes (small and secluded monasteries) situated on the numerous outlying islands. Valaam is called the Northern Athos, the significance of the cloister for Orthodox Christianity in the North being compared with the significance of the Mountain of Athos for Orthodox Christianity of the Universe.

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Valaam

Strictly speaking, Valaam is not an island - it is an archipelago consisting of 50 islands in the Northern part of lake Ladoga. The archipelago is not very large - it takes up only about 36 sq. km. The largest of the islands has a territory of 27,8 sq. km. It is also called Valaam. The nearest Karelian town • Sortavala (formerly known as Serdobol) is 42 km away, and Saint Petersburg - 227 km.

The geological structure of the archipelago is rather distinctive. Unlike the granite shore of Karelia, the islands are mainly diabase and therefore rich in iron. The consequence of this and the result of oxidation is the red colour of the rock. The rock itself is clearly visible - only parts of it are covered with a thin layer of soil.


Follow my travel in the Respublika Kareliya, on the four pages :

An tour on all country of this Respublica :
The Mystery of Thousand Lakes
The capital Petrozavodsk :
Ilona's city so faraway
Valaam and the monastery "Spaso-Preobrazhensky" :
The spiritual light of Russia
Kizhi island and the 82 monuments of wooden architecture :
Magic Kizhi island


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