Kem: Pomorye Museum of Local Lore and the Cathedral of the Annunciation

• The “Dom pomora” at the Pomorye Museum of Local Lore features thematic exhibitions, museum events, and workshops.
• The stone Cathedral of the Annunciation was built in 1904 and is a monument of regional significance.
• The museum collection began with items relating to the daily life of the Pomors and documents about the history of Karelian Pomorye.

The “Dom pomora” at the Pomorye Museum of Local Lore features thematic exhibitions, as well as museum events and workshops. Exhibition titles include “Kabinet kuptsa A. E. Dyatleva,” “Ot zuika do kapitana,” “Razvitie obrazovaniya v Kemskom uyezde,” and “Ochen khochetsya v Sovetskiy Soyuz.” Before planning a specific visit, check which exhibitions are currently on display and what events are scheduled.

The stone Cathedral of the Annunciation was built in 1904 and is a monument of regional significance. The cultural focus differs: the museum centers on thematic exhibitions and events, while the cathedral is a stone religious building.

In the wider destination of the Republic of Karelia, the Kizhi Museum Reserve offers another look at traditional wooden architecture. Its open-air collection features 89 monuments, including old chapels and houses, mills, storehouses, 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 inside the houses. The Kizhi Pogost is an architectural ensemble that includes the world’s only multi-domed wooden Church of the Transfiguration.

Another regional attraction is the World Heritage site of the Onega and White Sea petroglyphs, with 4,500 Neolithic rock carvings. 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 in the lower reaches of the Vyg, near its mouth at the White Sea, 6–8 km from Belomorsk, and comprise more than 2,000 different carvings.

An overview excursion in the Kivach Nature Reserve includes an outdoor walk to Kivach Waterfall and visits to the arboretum and nature museum. A 1,000 m circular trail runs through a wooded area on the banks of the Suna, near the excursion zone; the excursion lasts 1 to 1.5 hours. The waterfall is on the Suna River in the central part of Karelia. Check current conditions and booking options with the operator when planning your visit.

Discover more destinations: Kotkozero, Petrozavodsk, Otrakkala, Pitkjaranta, Uya, Ustye Tuloksy, Chalna, Sortavala

How did the museum collection begin?

It began with 80 items relating to the daily life of the Pomors and documents about the history of Karelian Pomorye, donated by local historian I. F. Semyonov.

How high is Kivach Waterfall?

The waterfall is 10.7 m high. It is described as Europe’s second-largest lowland waterfall after the Rhine Falls.

Where are most of the Onega petroglyphs located?

The Onega petroglyphs comprise more than 1,200 figures in Pudozhsky District. Most are located on the central capes of Pery Nos, Besov Nos, and Kladovets.

For the wider travel overview: Republic of Karelia.