Tsvelodubovo: Lakeside and History

• The town lies on Lake Nakhimovskoye, also known as Suulajärvi.
• Cycling routes A3a and A9a pass through Tsvelodubovo; they are 30 and 66 kilometres long, respectively.
• A burial site for Soviet soldiers is a cultural heritage site of regional significance.

Its location on the shore of Lake Nakhimovskoye—also known by its second name, Suulajärvi—gives Tsvelodubovo a clear connection to the water. Several other lakes with clear-looking, bluish water and shores suitable for swimming are also nearby. Check the current conditions and access before swimming.

Two routes of different lengths pass through the town: A3a is 30 kilometres long, while A9a is 66 kilometres long. Comparing their lengths gives you a first point of reference for planning; also check current route conditions before setting out. Nearby, a forest road on route A9a goes around Lake Veseloye. Its shores are mostly marshy; there is a spot suitable for swimming on the northern shore. Here, too, it is a good idea to check conditions before visiting.

The lakes and routes offer different ways to focus your stay: the town’s location puts the water centre stage, while the route lengths provide a concrete comparison for cycling plans. When looking for a hotel in Tsvelodubovo, you can start by asking whether you would like to shape your trip around lakes, cycling routes or local history.

Tsvelodubovo was formerly called Kaukolempiälä. In 1948, settlers renamed the village Gornaya, but the Leningrad Regional Executive Committee did not approve the name. At a meeting in July, the village was renamed Tsvelodubovo in honour of flight radio operator Yakov Tsvelodub.

The former name is also linked to a wartime story: on 27 February 1940, a Soviet aircraft from the 5th High-Speed Bomber Aviation Regiment crashed in Kaukolempiälä. The three crew members were buried in the same village. Another historic site is the burial site of Soviet soldiers who died during the Soviet-Finnish War and the Great Patriotic War. It includes a granite stele with memorial inscriptions and the names of those buried there, as well as a grey tombstone with names carved into it. The obelisk was erected in 1950; the burial site is a cultural heritage site of regional significance.

The Petäyänniemi estate, which has been preserved in its original form, is also part of the townscape. Together, these places and names reflect different historical connections, spanning more than a single era.

In the wider destination of Leningrad Oblast, Vepsian Forest Nature Park lies in the region’s far east. It includes seven nature reserves with particularly strict protection rules and numerous lakes. The largest lake there is Lake Lerinskoye, in the reserve of the same name.

Among the park’s notable natural features are well-preserved old spruce and pine forests in the “Vepsskiy les” and “Ashchozyorskiy” reserves. They are important to many organisms that depend on forests undisturbed by economic activity. Brown bears are found in significant numbers in the park; the wolverine, extremely rare in the region, has also been recorded there. The Vepsians have traditionally lived in the nature park and have their own culture and traditions. This regional perspective complements Tsvelodubovo’s specific themes of lakes, cycling and history with a distinct look at the landscapes and culture of Leningrad Oblast.

Discover more destinations: Vsevolozhsk, Somino, Staraya Ladoga, Kirovsk, Voznesenye, Rappolovo, Otradnoye and Gostilitsy.

Which lake is Tsvelodubovo on?

Tsvelodubovo lies on the shore of Lake Nakhimovskoye, also known as Suulajärvi.

Which cycling routes pass through the town?

The 30-kilometre A3a and the 66-kilometre A9a pass through Tsvelodubovo. Check current route conditions before setting out.

What historical connections does the town have?

The town’s former name was Kaukolempiälä. Tsvelodubovo is also home to a burial site for Soviet soldiers, with a granite stele and an inscribed tombstone.

For the wider travel overview: Leningrad Oblast.