Ruskeala - uVisitRussia

Ruskeala

Ruskeala is a stunningly beautiful place in Russian North near the Russian-Finnish border.

Ruskeala owes its beauty not only to the unique northern nature but also to human involvement. There is a famous marble canyon that has been supplying marble to large construction in Saint Petersburg for several centuries.

Ruskeala was controlled by Russia, Sweden and Finland at various times. In the second half of the 17th century the Swedes began to extract marble for producing lime.

After Saint Petersburg was founded and became a new Russian capital, the Russians started large construction there.

When Catherine II ascended to the Russian throne, Ruskeala was recaptured by Russia. Then Saint Petersburg turned into a massive construction site. Soon Ruskeala became a major supplier of amazing varicolored marble for the northern Russian capital and other towns.

The best-known building faced with the Ruskeala marble is St. Isaac’s Cathedral.

While quarrying marble, people drilled narrow holes, filled them with powder and then exploded. In winter smooth marble blocks were loaded onto sledges and brought to the river. Once the shipping season started, these blocks were embarked on ships and sent to Saint Petersburg.

Marble Canyon Ruskeala is a tourist complex, located in Sortavala in the Republic of Karelia, Russia. It is a majestic monument of history and nature. In 1998 it was included into the state register of national heritage of Russia. This popular quarry is called “Mining Park Ruskeala”.

This huge bowl was carved by man in the array of marble formation, born at the bottom of an ancient sea nearly two billion years ago. The quarry extends from north to south for about 500 meters. Its gently sloping and steep marble cliffs reach a height of 25 meters.

This is an old quarry of stone mining, which had been developed almost for three centuries. Today, it is a favorite place for lovers of historical heritage and “collectors” of natural phenomena. It is completely equipped for tourism.

The paths are covered with stones or paved with marble gravel and are equipped with benches for rest. Here you can find solitude and immerse yourself in the silent beauty.

The most dangerous places are protected railings or curbs; liftings, descents and crevices are equipped with ladders made of wood and stone slabs, walkways and bridges. The walking paths are cleared and fenced, there is a special parking, here you can rent a boat and enjoy the view from the water on the marble walls. The sides of the canyon are penetrated surface and underwater adits, drifts and mines. In one of the walls of the quarry there is a marble grotto – an important landmark of Ruskeala. It is possible to get to the grotto but only by water, using a boat.

The crystal clear lake is surrounded by green spruces and pines in summer, and in winter – the sparkling white snow gently covers marble, shimmering in the rays of winter sun.

Here you will be offered a route to the “Underground Lake”. This dip over the underground horizon was formed in 1928. It includes a set of adits, unique acoustics, a possibility to look into the depths of the marble designs.

There are several quarries. Around the main and the most famous quarry there are several other abandoned or under development quarries at this time. They differ not only in view of the coasts, but the water color – gray, blue, green. On one of these quarries you will find a place where you can put up a tent and stay for the night. Here are also special recreation centers, excursion service, rent of rowing boats.

For photography lovers will find here the use of their passion – beautiful stones with shades ranging from light gray to a beautiful green color; beautiful natural landscapes, picturesque waterfalls, a wonderful view of the quarries, filled with water. All this set of natural sights attracts people from all over the world! Divers love to use the Marmara Lake as a training ground. Here they like to dive and swim to the most remote corners of the canyon. If you’re a fan of extreme sports, you will be offered the extreme routes passing down the Mountain Rivers Tokhmayoki and Jänisjoki. Souvenir shops offer incomparable samples of Karelian Culture.