Valaam: Difference between revisions
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[[File:Priroda Valaamskogo arhipelaga.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Rugged nature of Valaam]] |
[[File:Priroda Valaamskogo arhipelaga.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Rugged nature of Valaam]] |
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[[File:Valaam Church.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Church of the St. Nicholas Skete at the mouth of the Monastery Bay, Valaam]] |
[[File:Valaam Church.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Church of the St. Nicholas Skete at the mouth of the Monastery Bay, Valaam]] |
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'''Valaam''' ([[Russian language|Russian]]: Валаам or Валаамский архипелаг), also known historically by the Finnish name '''Valamo''', is an [[archipelago]] in the northern portion of [[Lake Ladoga]], lying within the [[Republic of Karelia]], [[Russian Federation]]. The total area of its more than 50 islands is 36 km². The largest island is also called Valaam. It is best known as the site of the 14th century [[Valaam Monastery]] and for its natural beauty.<ref>Selby p. 175</ref> In the 12th century, the islands were a part of the [[Novgorod Republic]]. In the 17th century, they were captured by [[Sweden]] during the [[Time of Troubles]], but [[Russia]] reconquered them less than a century later. When the [[Grand Duchy of Finland]] was set up in the early 19th century as an autonomous part of the Russian Empire, [[Alexander I of Russia]] made Valaam a part of Finland. In 1917, Valaam became a part of newly independent [[Finland]], but it was acquired by the [[USSR]] after the [[Winter War]] and [[Continuation War]]. |
'''Valaam''' ([[Russian language|Russian]]: Валаам or Валаамский архипелаг), also known historically by the Finnish name '''Valamo''', is an [[archipelago]] in the northern portion of [[Lake Ladoga]], lying within the [[Republic of Karelia]], [[Russian Federation]]. The total area of its more than 50 islands is 36 km². The largest island is also called Valaam. It is best known as the site of the 14th century [[Valaam Monastery]] on Skitskiy Islonad and for its natural beauty.<ref>Selby p. 175</ref> In the 12th century, the islands were a part of the [[Novgorod Republic]]. In the 17th century, they were captured by [[Sweden]] during the [[Time of Troubles]], but [[Russia]] reconquered them less than a century later. When the [[Grand Duchy of Finland]] was set up in the early 19th century as an autonomous part of the Russian Empire, [[Alexander I of Russia]] made Valaam a part of Finland. In 1917, Valaam became a part of newly independent [[Finland]], but it was acquired by the [[USSR]] after the [[Winter War]] and [[Continuation War]]. |
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The name of the island is from the Finno-Ugric word ''valamo'', which means the high, mountain, ground. The climate and natural history of the island are unique because of its position |
The name of the island is from the Finno-Ugric word ''valamo'', which means the high, mountain, ground. The climate and natural history of the island are unique because of its position in Lake Ladoga. Spring begins at the end of March and a typical summer on Valaam consists of 30-35 sunny days, which is more than on the mainland. The average temperature in July is 17 °C. The winter and snow arrive in early December. In the middle of February the ice road to the nearest city of [[Sortavala]] (42 km) is traversable. The average temperature of February is minus 8 °C. |
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More than 480 species of the plants grow on the island, many of which have been cultivated by monks. The island is covered by coniferous woods, about 65% of which are pine. The island was visited repeatedly by emperors Alexander I, [[Alexander II of Russia|Alexander II]], and other members of the imperial family. Other famous visitors include [[Tchaikovsky]] and [[Dmitri Mendeleev|Mendeleyev]]. |
More than 480 species of the plants grow on the island, many of which have been cultivated by monks. The island is covered by coniferous woods, about 65% of which are pine. Ten species of mammals and more than 120 avian species call the archipelago home.<ref>{{Cite book|title = Valaam Tourist Map|last = -|first = -|publisher = discus|year = 2003|isbn = |location = St. Petersburg|pages = |issn = ISBN 5-94059-038-1}}</ref> |
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The island was visited repeatedly by emperors Alexander I, [[Alexander II of Russia|Alexander II]], and other members of the imperial family. Other famous visitors include [[Tchaikovsky]] and [[Dmitri Mendeleev|Mendeleyev]]. |
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[[File:Cathedral of Valaam.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Spaso-Preobrazhensky Cathedral of Valaam Monastery]] |
[[File:Cathedral of Valaam.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Spaso-Preobrazhensky Cathedral of Valaam Monastery]] |
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The island is permanently inhabited by monks and families. In 1999, there were about 600 residents on the main island; including army service personnel, restoration workers, guides and monks.<ref>Selby p. 175</ref> There |
The island is permanently inhabited by monks and families. In 1999, there were about 600 residents on the main island; including army service personnel, restoration workers, guides and monks.<ref>Selby p. 175</ref> There are a kindergarten, an arts and sports venue, a school , a small museum, and a medical center. The community on Valaam at the moment has no official administrative status. |
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During the summer, the main island can be reached by tour boats which leave St. Petersburg at night and arrive at the island the following morning.<ref>Selby p. 175</ref> |
During the summer, the main island can be reached by tour boats which leave St. Petersburg at night and arrive at the island the following morning.<ref>Selby p. 175</ref> |
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Revision as of 06:14, 27 June 2014
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| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Archipelago | Valaam archipelago |
| Adjacent to | Lake Ladoga |
| Administration | |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 600 |
| Additional information | |
| Official website | valaam |
Valaam (Russian: Валаам or Валаамский архипелаг), also known historically by the Finnish name Valamo, is an archipelago in the northern portion of Lake Ladoga, lying within the Republic of Karelia, Russian Federation. The total area of its more than 50 islands is 36 km². The largest island is also called Valaam. It is best known as the site of the 14th century Valaam Monastery on Skitskiy Islonad and for its natural beauty.[1] In the 12th century, the islands were a part of the Novgorod Republic. In the 17th century, they were captured by Sweden during the Time of Troubles, but Russia reconquered them less than a century later. When the Grand Duchy of Finland was set up in the early 19th century as an autonomous part of the Russian Empire, Alexander I of Russia made Valaam a part of Finland. In 1917, Valaam became a part of newly independent Finland, but it was acquired by the USSR after the Winter War and Continuation War.
The name of the island is from the Finno-Ugric word valamo, which means the high, mountain, ground. The climate and natural history of the island are unique because of its position in Lake Ladoga. Spring begins at the end of March and a typical summer on Valaam consists of 30-35 sunny days, which is more than on the mainland. The average temperature in July is 17 °C. The winter and snow arrive in early December. In the middle of February the ice road to the nearest city of Sortavala (42 km) is traversable. The average temperature of February is minus 8 °C.
More than 480 species of the plants grow on the island, many of which have been cultivated by monks. The island is covered by coniferous woods, about 65% of which are pine. Ten species of mammals and more than 120 avian species call the archipelago home.[2]
The island was visited repeatedly by emperors Alexander I, Alexander II, and other members of the imperial family. Other famous visitors include Tchaikovsky and Mendeleyev.
The island is permanently inhabited by monks and families. In 1999, there were about 600 residents on the main island; including army service personnel, restoration workers, guides and monks.[3] There are a kindergarten, an arts and sports venue, a school , a small museum, and a medical center. The community on Valaam at the moment has no official administrative status.
During the summer, the main island can be reached by tour boats which leave St. Petersburg at night and arrive at the island the following morning.[4]
The president of the Russian Federation has a dacha on one of the islands of Valaam, but its precise location is not publicly known.[5]
Sources
Selby, N. St. Petersburg, 2nd. edition, 1999, Lonely Planet Publications ISBN 0-86442-657-7
References
- ^ Selby p. 175
- ^ -, - (2003). Valaam Tourist Map. St. Petersburg: discus. ISSN 5-94059-038-1 ISBN 5-94059-038-1.
{{cite book}}:|last=has numeric name (help); Check|issn=value (help) - ^ Selby p. 175
- ^ Selby p. 175
- ^ Paananen, Arja (2014-04-28). "Tässä on Putinin vaiettu huvila Valamon saaressa ('Here is Putin's secret dacha in Valaam')". Iltasanomat. Sanoma Oyj. Retrieved 2014-05-02.
External links
