Rautalakhti: School History, Wooden Church and Minerals

• A Finnish school building has been preserved and was used as a school until the early 2000s.
• A wooden church was built on a high granite hill starting in 2009.
• The “U Mastera” museum displays minerals and rock samples from the northern Lake Ladoga area and other parts of Karelia.
• The “Severnaya Fivaida” project includes replicas of seven well-known wooden churches and chapels in Karelia.

The preserved school building recalls an earlier use of the town: it served as a school until the early 2000s. School history is therefore one of Rautalakhti’s cultural themes, alongside its religious buildings and geological collections.

The wooden church was built from 2009 onwards to a design by Sergey Volov. It stands on a high granite hill where stone had previously been quarried, and is dedicated to the Valaam wonderworkers Sergius and Herman. The church’s construction, location and dedication each connect it to the region in a distinct way: wooden architecture, granite and religious tradition come together in this building.

The “U Mastera” museum focuses on the minerals and rocks of the northern Lake Ladoga area, as well as samples from other parts of Karelia. Its collection provides a different thematic focus from the church buildings: here, the emphasis is on rock types and the variety of regional minerals rather than architecture.

“Severnaya Fivaida” also highlights wooden architecture. The project includes replicas of seven well-known wooden churches and chapels in Karelia. These include the Church of Sergius and Herman of Valaam, as well as chapels dedicated to Alexander of Svir, Sergius of Radonezh, Cyril of Belozersk, Zosima, Savvaty and Herman of Solovki, Arsenius of Konevets, Tryphon of Pechenga and Feodorit of Kola. Together with the wooden church, the project is of interest to travelers who would like to learn more about the forms of religious wooden architecture.

Alongside cultural attractions, the wider destination of the Republic of Karelia offers nature experiences. A general excursion in Kivach Nature Reserve includes an outdoor walk to Kivach Waterfall, as well as a visit to the arboretum and the nature museum. The waterfall is on the Suna River in central Karelia, is 10.7 meters high and is Europe’s second-largest lowland waterfall after the Rhine Falls. A 1,000-meter 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. Check current conditions and booking with the operator.

For a broad introduction to traditional wooden architecture, the “Kizhi” open-air museum is another option in the Republic of Karelia. It displays 89 monuments, including old chapels and houses, mills, granaries, threshing barns and drying racks. Visitors can see the interior of the Church of the Intercession of the Mother of God and peasant houses; traditional peasant crafts are demonstrated in the houses.

The Onega and White Sea petroglyphs are another major cultural focus. This World Heritage site in the Republic of Karelia comprises 4,500 Neolithic rock carvings. The Onega petroglyphs include more than 1,200 figures in Pudozhsky District; most of the Onega carvings are located on the central headlands 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 region’s themes therefore vary widely, from wooden architecture and minerals to prehistoric rock art.

Until when was the former school building used as a school?

The preserved Finnish school building was used as a school until the early 2000s.

When was the wooden church built?

Construction began in 2009, based on a design by Sergey Volov. The church is dedicated to the Valaam wonderworkers Sergius and Herman.

What does the “U Mastera” museum display?

It displays minerals and rock samples from the northern Lake Ladoga area and other parts of Karelia.

Go to the main travel overview: Pitkyarantskiy rayon.