Marble canyon, "Ruskeala": photo, official site, reviews

The marble canyon "Ruskeala" (see photo below) is a mountain park located in Karelia near the town of Sortavala. It was created in 2005.

History

The marble canyon "Ruskeala" (Karelia) began to be developed in the 17th century. Works in those days were conducted by the Swedes. Extracted marble was used to build foundations and to make building lime.

On the marble canyon "Ruskeala" paid special attention in those times when palaces and cathedrals began to erect in St. Petersburg and its environs. The valuable stone, mined in these places, was highly appreciated by the architects. Montreal and Rinaldi used marble slabs to decorate their buildings. This magnificent stone was faced with the Kazan and St. Isaac's cathedrals, the Mikhailovsky Castle, and others.

Before the beginning of the Russo-Finnish war, the quarry where the valuable stone was mined was flooded by Finns. According to one version, this was done in order to harm Soviet troops.

Marble canyon "Ruskeala" used in our days. Here, the material was extracted, which went to the lining of the Ladoga and Primorskaya stations of the St. Petersburg subway.

The exploitation of the surrounding deposits continues today. The former scope, of course, no longer exists, but the constant extraction and sale of marble chips is carried out.

sights

Mountain Park "Ruskeala" - a marble canyon, which is a real museum of mining, as well as a natural heritage. These places are amazing with their beauty. Former quarries today are delightful mountain lakes. They resemble marble bowls filled with blue-green waters. The nearby galleries look like mysterious caves.

Marble canyon "Ruskeala" in 1998 received a new status. He was recognized as part of the Russian cultural heritage.

Marble quarry

The place where the valuable building material was extracted in the past is one of the attractions of the mountain park "Ruskeala". Today, the quarry is filled with crystal clear, with emerald shade of water. Pleases the eye with the magnificence of its patterned shores with sheer rocks. In a former career, you can find places where the marble is visible through the water.

On the perimeter of the place of development of the stone is a number of observation platforms. From them you can admire the picturesque views. From these sites brick stoves, built before the 1917 revolution, are viewed from these sites. They were used to produce lime, which was produced by burning marble chips. Pipes of these furnaces are lined in the form of a cone and resemble minarets or ancient towers. It is visible from the observation platforms and the old administrative building. It is remarkable in that it is entirely made of marble.

If there is a desire to admire the scenery of the local nature from the water, you can rent a boat on the pier. Then you can swim in the grottoes, located in steep rocks. Such a journey will leave an indelible impression, surprising with the play of light that is observed on the marble ceiling. Even at night the marble canyon of "Ruskeala" will please with bright colors. This is due to the artificial lighting arranged here.

Waterfall

Travelers seeking to enter the marble canyon of "Ruskeala" (Karelia, Russia) will have to overcome the path along the banks of the Tohmajoki river. Here, at the waterfall Akhvenkoski, it is worth stopping and admiring the opening landscapes. To ensure that travelers can rest and gain strength, on the bank of the river there are specially installed benches.

In addition, you can visit the ruined Finnish power station. It is located on the Tohmajoki River, just a little downstream from the waterfall.

Description of the canyon

In "Ruskeale" is not one marble quarry. But in the territory of the mountain park is the most beautiful of them. After the place was cultivated, the guard was on duty at the entrance. On the territory of the mountain park, a large number of kiosks have been installed, offering souvenirs to visitors. Walk here can be on the neat paths, sprinkled with marble chips, near which there are indexes and fences. Such changes can not but rejoice. They show that the marble canyon "Ruskeala" (see photo below) is under supervision and will retain its condition for many years.

Excursions

The area of the mountain park is relatively small. Its width is only 100 m and its length is 450 m. Therefore, excursions conducted in Ruskeala (marble canyon) do not take much time.

A few more quarries are located around the park. It is interesting that the color of the water they are filled with is always different. So, in the main career you can admire the emerald greenish shade. The water in the neighboring marble bowls is blue or gray with a bluish tint. There is no riddle in this. The color of the liquid depends on the color of the marble here. In the canyon there are also unmanned tunnels. However, it should be borne in mind that in order to get into them, it is necessary to use the services of an accompanying person. Independently this should not be done.

Walking outside the park

The so-called Italian quarries are suitable for the marble canyon. In them, you can clearly observe exactly cut off the strata of the amazing stone. This sight is not limited to a mountain. Near the quarry is a large number of abandoned marble blocks, which were in due time discarded. Its name was given to the gallery due to the fact that the first developments on them were conducted on Italian technologies with the involvement of specialists from this country.

Here you can admire the marble pool, which is carved directly in the seams.

Diving

The diving lovers are also satisfied, who managed to visit the marble canyon of "Ruskeala". This place is a real paradise for divers. They are attracted by flooded quarries, which are connected to each other by galleries. Most of the visitors can not see the underground horizons of the numerous tunnels in which marble mining was conducted at one time.

The bottom of the main canyon is also of interest to divers. Here is the abandoned technique, which was used for the extraction of marble. The attractiveness of the place increases the transparency of the water, which is due to its low temperature. The fact is that in the career of hitting cold keys. That is why the water in it is constantly being updated.

Reservoirs

In "Ruskeale" are flooded marble quarries. On the main of them, which is located on the territory of a mountain park, boats are rented. On the banks of other quarries, you can find several places for recreation with a tent. However, do not count on seclusion, because these places are very popular with tourists.

Not far from the park there is a river called Tohmajoki. On its banks you can also find several places for installing a tent. However, there is a lot of garbage.

Impressions of visitors

Those tourists who examined the marble canyon "Ruskeala", reviews about it leave as a great place for recreation. In this regard, the mountain park is very popular. In summer it is best to come here on a weekday. Only in this case it will be possible to avoid crowding. You can visit the mountain park and in the early morning, when the bulk of visitors have not yet arrived.

Difficulties

Marble Canyon "Ruskeala" is located at a considerable distance from St. Petersburg. That's why the trip for one day is very tiring, especially for the driver. In addition, since Priozersk, the road is very tortuous and dangerous.

Caution does not interfere with the use of mobile communications. Near the canyon there is a border, as a result of which there is a constant connection of uninvited Finnish roaming (SMS messages are coming from the mobile operator).

It should also be taken into account that the shores of the quarry are steep, steep rocks. To climb here is forbidden. This is cautioned by the signs established everywhere. If you are renting a boat, then do not swim close to the rock. Sometimes stones fall from the tops.

Paid services

A small amount is charged for walking around the park. Boat rental is chargeable. In winter, an ice rink is built in the canyon. Skates can be rented here.

Road

So, you chose the marvelous canyon of "Ruskeala" for the rest. How to get to it? It can be done by public transport, but it is difficult. To this end, from St. Petersburg to reach the town of Sortovala. In this locality there are regular buses and trains running from the northern capital. The next point of the route is the village of Ruskeala. You can get here by bus, which runs twice a day. Its route runs from Sortovala to Vyartsilya via Ruskeala. A distance of twenty-five kilometers can be overcome by taxi.

There is another option. In St. Petersburg, you need to take the train to Kostomuksha. From this station to the park the distance is eight kilometers. The train arrives in Kostomuksha at one in the morning and at four in the morning. Arriving on it, you can become the first visitors to the park.

It is much easier to get to the marble canyon by private car. At the same time, the route from St. Petersburg will run along highway A-129 to Sortovaly. Having reached this settlement, it is necessary to turn north to the village of Ruskevala. On the map is the A-130 highway. Near the village there is a sign in the direction of the mountain park. The car can be left on the side of the road or at the free parking lot. It is worth bearing in mind that this route is not close. From St. Petersburg to the destination almost three hundred and thirty kilometers.

Categories of excursions

Has an "Ruskeala" (marble canyon) official site (base-Ruskeala. Rf). On it you can find a lot of useful information for tourists. Here you can also get acquainted with the categories of excursions offered in the mountain park. Among them - a weekend trip and a great walk, as well as a weekend trip.

Where can I stay?

In the village Ruskeala there is a recreation center of the same name. It operates year-round and is designed for ninety visitors. At the recreation center there are rooms of varying degrees of comfort. There are rooms for honeymooners and married couples with babies.

On the territory of the recreation center, you can arrange a picnic with the preparation of a shish kebab. There is a bathhouse built on the shore of the lake for guests.

For tourists, excursions to the marble canyon, to waterfalls or to the lake Valaam are organized. For those who came by their own car, there is a guarded parking lot. There is a rental office in the recreation center "Ruskeala", which issues sports equipment - football and volleyball, bicycles, skis and skates. There is also equipment for picnics.

Conclusion

Marble Canyon "Ruskeala" is popular all year round. There are many interesting places and amazing views. So when visiting a mountain park and its surroundings, do not forget to bring your camera. According to the reviews of most tourists, the marble canyon is one of the most interesting places in Karelia.