Karelia

Ancient russian monastery on the island in Ladoga lake.

Island in Ladoga lake famous with its ancient monastery.

Splendid sights of Vyborg and park Monrepo covered with snow. Only in 2 hour drive from St.Petersburg one can find a real fairyland of North nature.

Vyborg castle, Krepostnaya street, city market and Northern harbour.

Golden autumn in one of the most romantic parks of Karelian Isthmus. Marvelous scenes of water, stone and bright foliage.

Ancient Russian monastery on Valaam island in Ladoga lake.

The castle was built in the 13th century. The city has some remaining medieval walls. The bastioned fortifications and regimental barracks were built in 1737 on order of Anna Ioannova. There were several sieges of Vyborg, especially two by Peter the Great. Vyborg (Finnish Viipuri): (90,000 in 1990, 35,000 in 1914) is located off the Gulf of Finland at the head of the deep inlet Gulf of Viborg at the mouth of the Saima Canal about 120 km northwest of St. Petersburg. Center of castle is ancient tower of St. Olaf (165 ft high).

Ancient European town-stronghold.

Beautiful northen nature. Water, stone and ancient architecture.

Petrozavodsk is a capital of the Republic of Karelia - a land of forests and lakes, Russia's nature "pearl". It is a northern city, demonstrating the bright features of Nordic mentality - calmness, benevolence, national and religious tolerance, thoughtfulness for nature.