Lekhta

A concrete monument erected in 1962 stands at the mass grave in Lekhta, with a sculptural group: a woman kneels in mourning beside a stele with two lowered flags. The mass grave is designed as a podium and bordered by parapets of polished gabbro-diabase. A helmet stands beside the stele.

Most of the people buried in the mass grave were soldiers and officers of the 32nd Separate Ski Brigade. The brigade was stationed in Lekhta from 1942 to 1944. The dates therefore refer to different periods: 1942 to 1944 was when the brigade was stationed there, while the monument was erected in 1962.

The design brings together a human expression of grief and military elements. The kneeling woman, the stele with its lowered flags, and the helmet each form a distinct focal point; the history of those buried there gives the memorial its specific historical significance. The design of the mass grave itself is also part of the site: it is laid out as a podium and bordered by parapets of polished gabbro-diabase.

Beyond the local monument in Lekhta, the wider destination of the Republic of Karelia offers other cultural themes to explore. The Kizhi Museum Reserve displays 89 monuments of traditional wooden architecture in the open air. These include old chapels and houses, mills, granaries, threshing barns, and drying racks. Visitors can see the interiors of the Church of the Intercession of the Mother of God and peasant houses; traditional peasant crafts are demonstrated in the houses. The experience ranges from different types of buildings to craft demonstrations.

The UNESCO World Heritage site of the Onega and White Sea Petroglyphs offers another perspective. It comprises 4,500 Neolithic rock carvings in the Republic of Karelia. The Onega petroglyphs number more than 1,200 figures in Pudozhsky District; most are located on the three central capes of Pery Nos, Besov Nos, and Kladovets. The White Sea petroglyphs mainly depict hunting and sailing scenes, along with related equipment, as well as animal and human footprints. The Belomorsk petroglyphs are located on the lower reaches of the Vyg River near its mouth into the White Sea, 6–8 km from Belomorsk, and comprise more than 2,000 different carvings.

Kivach Waterfall is on the Suna River in central Karelia and has a drop of 10.7 m. After the Rhine Falls, it is considered Europe’s second-largest lowland waterfall. A general tour of Kivach Nature Reserve includes an outdoor walk to the waterfall, as well as visits to the dendrological collection and the nature museum.

A 1,000 m circular trail runs through a wooded area on the bank of the Suna near the excursion zone. The excursion lasts 1 to 1.5 hours. Check conditions and booking directly with the operator. The circular trail and the excursion thus offer different points of reference for planning your time: a stated trail length and a stated duration for the excursion.

The regional examples vary—from wooden architecture and petroglyphs to a waterfall and nature reserve.

Who was buried in the mass grave in Lekhta?

Most of those buried there were soldiers and officers of the 32nd Separate Ski Brigade, which was stationed in Lekhta from 1942 to 1944.

When was the monument at the mass grave erected?

The concrete monument was erected in 1962. The sculptural group shows a mourning, kneeling woman and a stele with two lowered flags.

What can visitors see at the Kizhi Museum Reserve?

Visitors can see the interiors of the Church of the Intercession of the Mother of God and peasant houses. Traditional peasant crafts are demonstrated in the houses.

How long does the excursion in Kivach Nature Reserve last?

The excursion lasts 1 to 1.5 hours. Check conditions and booking directly with the operator.

To the wider travel overview: Belomorskiy rayon.