Koskolovo – Memorial Stone and Nature in the Regional Context

• A memorial stone commemorates Fyodor Andreyevich Volkov, who was born in Koskolovo.
• An ecological hiking trail is associated with the Kurgala hotel complex.
• The Veps Forest Nature Park, regional routes, and Koporye Fortress are in Leningrad Oblast, not in Koskolovo.

The memorial stone commemorates Volkov, a Hero of the Soviet Union and lieutenant general who was born in Koskolovo. A report dated February 17, 2023, describes a commemorative gathering held on February 16 to mark Volkov’s 125th birthday. Residents of Koskolovo, students from Krakol School, and representatives of the administration of the Vistino settlement and Kingisepp District took part in the gathering and the ceremony at the memorial stone. Representatives of the House of Friendship of Leningrad Oblast were also present. At the end, participants laid scarlet carnations at the memorial stone.

Koskolovo is therefore home to a lasting place of remembrance, alongside an account of a specific commemorative event held in the past. This distinction is useful when planning a trip: the report describes that occasion, not a regularly scheduled event.

An ecological hiking trail in Koskolovo is also associated with the Kurgala hotel complex. If you would like to include it in your plans, check in advance whether it can be visited independently of a stay at the complex. This treats the trail as a specific local feature without assuming that it has independent public access.

The following examples describe Leningrad Oblast, not local features of Koskolovo. The Veps Forest Nature Park lies in the far east of the oblast and encompasses seven reserves with especially strict conservation rules. There are numerous lakes in the park; the largest is Lake Lerinskoye, in the reserve of the same name. Among the park’s special assets are well-preserved old spruce and pine forests in the Vepsskiy Les and Ashchozyorskiy reserves. These forests are important for organisms that depend on woodland undisturbed by economic activity.

The park’s culture and wildlife are also distinct regional themes: the Veps live there traditionally and have their own culture and traditions. Brown bears are found in significant numbers in the nature park; the wolverine, which is extremely rare in the region, has also been recorded. These details describe the wildlife, but do not guarantee a sighting during a visit.

Routes in the oblast vary in landscape and format. A regional account dated December 24, 2019, describes ecological routes in seven protected areas of regional significance as intended for independent visits and equipped with information materials and visitor facilities. At the Toksovskiye Vysoty natural monument, a circular ecological trail passes over sandy hills and through hollows, as well as through old spruce and pine forests. In the Gryada Vyaryamyansel'kya protected area in Priozersk District, a cycling route crosses a landscape of lakes, marshes, and dry, old pine forest. The Ladva Trail, in turn, leads to glacial landforms, middle-taiga vegetation, the Vepsian village of Ladva, and Lake Ladva in Podporozhye District. Before travelling, check the current conditions on the routes, whose descriptions date from 2019.

One regional example is Koporye Fortress, a museum and monument of Old Russian stone architecture. Its present-day form has been preserved since the 16th century; parts of the masonry date back to the 13th century. Climbing the walls and towers is prohibited because they are in a state of disrepair. For visits without a guide, the museum lists the multimedia guide “Koporskaya krepost' 2.0.” Check its availability when planning your visit.

Discover more destinations: Korobitsyno, Sviritsa, Kezoruchey, Luga, Vyborg, Turovo, Im. Morozova and Gorbunki.

When was the gathering for Volkov held?

A report dated February 17, 2023, describes a gathering held on February 16.

Can the hiking trail be used independently of the hotel complex?

The trail associated with the Kurgala hotel complex is linked to Koskolovo. Check in advance whether it can be used without staying at the complex.

Are visitors allowed to climb the walls of Koporye Fortress?

No. Climbing the walls and towers is prohibited because they are in a state of disrepair.

Go to the main travel overview: Leningrad Oblast.