The geologists associate the output of local mineral waters with the contact of carbonaceous pyritized shales of the Lower Proterozoic and Quaternary sediments. By its composition, it is calcium and magnesium hydrocarbonate-sulfate waters. In addition, they contain a high content of iron, which they are enriched by the destruction of pyrite during circulation through zones of tectonic disturbances. The latter factor affects the fact that the local mineral water is not stored for long. After a short time, a sediment appears in it, and it loses its healing properties.
The resort owes its appearance to Peter I, who was convinced of the special healing power of hydrotherapy. The king regularly went to the European resorts Pyrmont, Spa, Carlsbad and lamented that such places are not in Russia. Peter was sure that healing waters would be found on the Russian expanses and ordered to begin their search. It was necessary to happen that at this time the hammer worker from the Konchezersky smelter Ivan Ryaboev quite by accident discovered a healing key.
Ryaboev "mourned heart disease", so he could not do his job and he was sent to oversee the export of ore. Near the Rav-bog, Ivan discovered the key, from which he drank water for several days and suddenly felt almost healthy. The report of the miraculous healing came to the commandant of the ironworks V. Gennin, who reported the source to Peter. The king ordered to investigate the healing key.
The first chemical research was conducted by L. Blumentrost, who found that mineral waters have a curative effect. In 1718, the practitioner A. Ravinel recruited patients and treated them with newly discovered martial waters. The results were the most encouraging. Emperor Peter I himself decides to go to the source for treatment. Less than a month not far from the swamp was built a wooden palace with a covered gallery that led to the tent that covered the spring.
However, Peter comes to treatment only in 1719. His first visit lasted almost three weeks. The tsar spent this time among the people closest to him and was very pleased with the treatment. March 20, 1719 issued special treatment rules "Olonets medicinal waters", confirmed by the royal decree. This day is considered the official birth date of the resort Martsialnie Vody.
Peter I visited Karelian sources three more times. The longest course of treatment lasted more than a month. All this time, the emperor kept his usual activity, keeping in touch with the capital with the help of couriers. He invited the people he needed to "go to the waters" and made many important decisions. In addition, Peter fully rested in Karelia. He was engaged in his favorite affairs, for which he did not have enough time in Petersburg: he made furniture, worked on a lathe and even sang in a choir in the church of the Apostle Peter.The Emperor actively developed the first Russian resort. In 1721, Linnaeus was built - a hotel for visitors and other buildings.After the death of Peter I the resort is in decline. In the middle of the XIX century, Emperor Alexander II came here, the resort makes an impression on him, but there is not even a talk about its restoration. After the revolution, work begins on the creation of a sanatorium on marcial waters. However, his active construction began only in the second half of the last century.
Today here is the largest in the north balneological complex "Martsialnie Vody", which has a mud bath with Gabotzer mud, hydropathic, modern physiotherapy and massage departments. Several years ago, on the marcial waters, another health center opened, called Palaces. Four sources with mineral waters with different degrees of mineralization and different contents of iron, calcium, manganese, magnesium and sodium are open to visitors.