Kivach Waterfall: how to get there? Where is the Kivach Falls?

Russia is remarkable and picturesque, and interesting from a historical point of view, and enjoyable for recreation and tourist study places. Most foreigners, most likely, know the terrible word "Siberia" for them; Some even heard about the exotic "Baikal", but this is most often limited to acquaintance of foreign guests with Russian geography. Meanwhile, in the vast expanses of the country there are many extremely interesting and worthy places, among which (and we can say - in the forefront) the Kivach waterfall.

Historical past

The most famous among famous people who have glorified this place is the eminent writer and politician of the past Gavrila Derzhavin, who served as governor of this part of Karelia, which at that time was called the Olonets province. The waterfall Kivach struck his imagination: the poet devoted an ode to him and very much contributed to the popularization of this place.

The most famous visitor was the Russian Tsar Alexander II, thanks to which the territories were enriched by the first road instead of the usual "directions", by a bridge across the river feeding the Kivach waterfall, and by the likeness of a hotel erected for the arrival of the emperor. I must say that the spectacle struck the king no less than the poet, because at that time to get to these places was not only "in a royal way", but also took a long time - on a good triple two days, transport easier - to five. So the waterfall Kivach was held for a maximum of two hundred people a year.

Where is the name?

For the Russian ear, the name of the river phenomenon of nature does sound somewhat strange. However, only not for the area where the Kivach waterfall is located: do not forget that this is Karelia. His name has as many as three theories of origin. And even in Russian there are the corresponding roots: the waters, breaking about the rocks of the banks, "nod" to them - and the name of the waterfall was formed.

Of course, Karelian origin is more popular. It comes from the word kivas, that is, the "snow mountain". Even in summer, huge streams of foam and spray remind of the peaks of mountain peaks, in winter the similarity is even more intensified.

The third place is taken by the Finnish point of view: this people believes that the Kivach waterfall has received a name from the root of the word kiivas - powerful, swift, powerful, fast. And this version of the origin of the name also has a right to exist, because the water streams fully correspond to this description.

The reasons for "slimming" Kivach

At the time of the Russian Empire, the flow of water was so strong that it was not possible to stay long in the royal summer house, built nearby, after a few minutes the person was wet from head to foot against water splashes. And to conduct business conversations in the pavilion was rather difficult: the Kivach waterfall on the Russian plain was drowned out even by a loud cry.

Now such a riot of the elements is not observed. The process of "withering" of one of Russia's largest natural attractions began at the beginning of the last century: in 1911, engineers became interested in the energy potential of the river, in 1916 the power plant was laid, in 1929 - its trial turn was started (Kondopoga HPP ), And in 1954 the company she was Paleozerskaya. Naturally, the flow of water passing through the Kivach waterfall has significantly decreased, and now you will not see the former magnificence.

Myths with legends

All outstanding objects are necessarily accompanied by folk tales, explaining their unusual and beautiful. The main legend about the Kivach waterfall is the history of its appearance. Two nearby rivers flowing with the names Sunnah and Shuya were sisters, and, according to the myth, always flowed side by side, unable to part. Further variations of the tale diverge: according to one version, the Sunna simply fell asleep, on the other - she lost her "road" to her sister (but then she also fell asleep). And when I woke up, I found out that Shuya had already climbed quite far without her. Excited, the sister river rushed to catch up with the fugitive, crushing everything in its path. There, where a stubborn mountain was pierced, the Kivach waterfall was formed.

Geography and geology

Even with the depletion of this water resource associated with the construction of power plants in the first half of the 20th century, the observant person will note that the impoverishment continues. If only ten years ago the Kivach waterfall was the second in a row of European plain waterfalls - it was only ahead of the Rhine waterfall - now it went to the third place, losing to the Maman waterfall (it is the Big Yaniskengas in the Murmansk region). That is, the water flow continues to decrease.

However, Kivach is still a pearl of Karelia. Its height reaches almost 11 meters, and the whirlpool at the base of the fall amazes with its size. The basalt rocks surrounding the waterfall, as well as centuries ago, amaze the imagination. Worthy of attention and the eponymous reserve, in the center of which is located Kivach. And the arboretum located in these places is the only place where you can see the Karelian birch.

Routes and roads

Suppose you decide to visit one of the most fabulous tourist places - Kivach waterfall. How to get to it depends on what you are traveling on. The easiest in the description and the most used route is to get to Petrozavodsk, and at the bus station to take a bus (or specially allocated for travelers) bus. It takes an hour and a half to reach the place.

If you are traveling on your own car, from the same Petrozavodsk along the M-18 highway, move in the direction of Murmansk to Shuiskaya. There, make a right turn, move down to the P-15, and through it - through Kondopoga to the village of Sopokha. Travel to the coveted waterfall is still allowed and is possible only on the road between this village and the village of Kivach.

Please note that since the waterfall since 1931 is part of the reserve, you can go to it only by paying the entrance. If you decide to do without an excursion, then you'll have to pay 40 rubles, if you want to listen to interesting and watch the waterfall from the most attractive point - you'll have to shell out for a large sum and wait until you get a group of at least five people.

Some visitors grumble and complain, but thanks to a paid entrance, the reserve staff takes good care of the territory, so you will not see bottles of trash cigarettes in this wonderful area. And for communicating with nature without these annoying companions of civilization, you can pay a little and.