Our journey will begin at Anna Akhmatova's summer house. The resort village of Komarovo attracts with its measured rhythm, stepping accessibility of the Gulf of Finland and coniferous forest. The route of the first day will pass through Lutheran Kirkhi. The history of these structures is not simple, but interesting. The evening will begin with an introduction to Finnish architecture in the Karelian city of Sortavala. On the second day it is planned to walk through flat waterfalls and take a boat trip on the lake in a marble canyon, watching the natural game of light. Our short trip to the private zoo will end.
Today our day will start with Anna Akhmatova's summer cottage in Komarovo resort settlement. We will go deep into the pine forest, away from the noise of freight trains, walk along the Gulf of Finland. In the afternoon we'll see several Lutheran churches, the walls of which are collected from the boulders of Ladoga Lake. In the evening we'll have a rest in the pleasant park of Korela fortress.
There's a pine forest around. The cottages here are at an honorable distance from each other, but on the same plot. They surrendered to the writers without any furniture and invented their own everyday needs. At different times Prokofiev lived here, Ranevskaya's hotel, young Brodsky was hiding. Lake Shchuchie and the Gulf of Finland were close enough. Now Akhmatova's cottage is remembered only by local people, their hands made a memorial plaque on the facade, literary readings are held.
Those who want to enjoy the desolate landscape better come here on weekdays and in the morning. Swings, benches, volleyball nets. Fat seagulls. Rosehips, pines, boulders in the sand. Gaining strength and moving on.
The military town of Agalatovo is big enough, there is even an airfield. The wooden church was built in 2001, there is an active life inside the parish. A military helicopter mounted on a wasteland next to the church leaves an ambiguous impression.
The institution is declared as a restaurant of Indian and oriental cuisine, but it looks like a roadside cafe. However, we only need to have lunch and continue our journey. The menu turned out to be more diverse than it was declared.
Lutheran church in the style of Northern Art Nouveau or Finnish National Romanticism. Unfortunately, the organ inside the church has not survived. It would be interesting to hear this music among the nature of Priozersk area: lakes, rocks, dense coniferous forest. But the reality opens for us quite a different side. Now in the church there is a warehouse, House of Culture and a shop.
Take a walk in the humble, well-groomed park. There's practically no movement on the Vuoksa River. On the territory of the fortress there is a museum of local lore, standard for provincial cities. Medieval walls, well-groomed green lawn. Elegant minimalism. In the 19th century it was a prison for political prisoners, now folk festivals are held on the territory.
Since we're in Priozersk, let's see another Finnish Art Nouveau church. There was an organ here too, and it hasn't survived either. During the Karelian-Finnish SSR the building made of Ladoga boulders was used as a theatre. Now, unfortunately, it's abandoned.
Ahead of the Gazpromneft filling station. A good reason to make a stop: refuel with quality fuel, drink coffee and just warm up.
One of the few places in Sartavala where you can have dinner in the evening. The menu is full of dish names, with the addition of "Karelian". There are no complaints about the local cuisine. The café is open until 9:00 on weekdays.
It's morning in the county town of Sortavala. Built by the Finns, which is attractive and unusual. Most of the day today we will spend a boat ride on the marble canyon lake, strolling through flat waterfalls, enjoying the Karelian landscapes.
The town of Sortavala is interesting because a lot of Finnish brick and wooden buildings have been preserved here. Leander's house is a decoration of the main street. It was built in 1903. It was thought to be a bank building. Time has not changed anything, now there is a branch of Sberbank.
Rent a boat. Row and watch the color of the marble change depending on how the sun rays hit it. Leave the paddles, allow yourself to watch the nature in the middle of the lake. By the way, you can fly over a marble quarry on a bungee.
Here the blocks were mined especially for the cladding, St. Isaac's Cathedral in St. Petersburg and Ladozhskaya metro station. Now drivers are looking at flooded bulldozers, equipped with pedestrian routes, restored old adits, electricity. The quarries are illuminated, which makes them even more memorable and lures tourists.
Parking's a stone's throw away. Plain waterfalls, along which you can walk on homemade pine bridges. The movie "The Dawns Here Are Quiet" made this place famous in cinema. There are benches for holidaymakers and a cafe. On the road near the highway, locals sell their own jam, for example, made from lumps.
Wood, fireplace, panoramic windows. The menu includes moose, venison and other local delights. Fragrant, strong tea.
It's a quiet little town. Modern wooden chapel, port nearby. The sound of the railroad is heard. A good place to drink tea from the thermos and take a break. For those who want to eat at the grocery stores in walking distance.
Our trip to the private forest zoo is coming to an end. Perhaps it is better to come here with children, as the animals can be fed, photographed and even walked. For example, a walk with a deer costs 1000 rubles.
Nice twilight. Lots of meat dishes on the menu. Fast serving, good choice of wine.