"The spiritual light of Russia" Valaam by Klod5

Valaam Travel Guide: 32 reviews and 42 photos

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.

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.

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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Intro Updated Oct 29, 2004
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Reviews (18)

Russian Orthodox Church Music Local Customs (3)

You can hear also Russian Orthodox Church Music on Radio "Radonezh". The "Radonezh" society was founded in 1987 by a... more travel advice

Legend of Valaam Favorites (13)

One of Valaam legends says that long time ago, before the finno-ugric and Slavic peoples inhabiting the shores of Ladoga... more travel advice

Monastery's life of the monks of Valaam Favorites (13)

Life for the monks of Valaam was always something of a feat. Situated on the border between Russia and Sweden, this... more travel advice

Russian's spirit Favorites (13)

But here the beauty of the material world is the reflection of that of the spirit. For Russians, as well as for all the... more travel advice

Tourist Traps (1)
Map of Valaam

Things to Do (1)
Sunset on the St. Nikolas skete

Comments (8)

magor65 Sep 10, 2006 at 12:47 PM Report Abuse

You've shown so many sides of Valaam here: beauty of nature, spiritual life, architecture and stormy history - it all makes this page so interesting to read. And the photos are really stunning!
johnsakura Feb 10, 2005 at 12:10 AM Report Abuse

great tips and very nice photos on karelia! cheers thank you joao
GillianMcLaughlin May 2, 2004 at 8:42 AM Report Abuse

This is a fantastic page - I loved it - your photos are great, and your texts are informative and evocative... Bravo.
elise_crash Jul 10, 2003 at 2:24 AM Report Abuse

Beautiful picture of the sunset!
globetrott May 30, 2003 at 4:32 PM Report Abuse

What an interesting page and location ! Great infos and pics ! - I hope to visit this interesting place one day...
mr.jacob May 17, 2003 at 6:33 PM Report Abuse

wow- very good pictures and information. Great for anyone who wants to learn about Russia!
zentrinko May 14, 2003 at 9:06 PM Report Abuse

Very interesting reading that helps the viewer have a different and special insight into Russia that is beyond the western media warnings and hype.
Lalique May 14, 2003 at 1:04 AM Report Abuse

BRAVO! BRAVO! BRAVO! Fantastic page, awesome pics and very good comments and discriptions, amasing understanding and feeling of Russia!