Ancient buildings are what almost every ancient city located on the territory of the Russian Federation is famous for. Olonets is no exception, the sights of which became a bait for tourists from all over the country. According to historians, this settlement was founded in the distant 12th century, the first record of it in the annals dates back to 1137. So, what can travelers who visited Olonets see?
Sights of Olonets: Museum of Karelian Livviks
The Museum of Karelian Livviks owes its foundation to the local historian Prilukin, for whom the study of the life of Karelian Livviks (the so-called Olonets Karelians) became a matter of life. It is this building that will tell the city guests about the eventful history that Olonets is famous for. What sights are worth visiting if not this museum? The scientist was able to collect a huge number of ethnographic artifacts, thanks to which travelers can learn interesting facts related to the culture of the ancient people.
What interesting exhibits are displayed in the museum complex, which is famous for the city of Olonets, whose sights are considered in this article? For example, visitors will be able to admire the products, the manufacture of which used the unique “understand” technique, to see a collection of old New Year's toys. Also, people who are interested in Olonets weaving can take a short training course directly at the museum.
The opening of the complex took place in 1959, it occupies a building previously owned by the merchant Kuttuev. It is known that the construction of the house was completed in 1872, it occupied the territory on which the chambers of the Olonets governor were previously located.
City Park
City park is a place that you can not miss visiting the city of Olonets. The sights of this settlement can be listed endlessly, but only the park was awarded the title of the symbol of the city. It is known that its construction began about 150 years ago. In the park you can find the Catherine School, which was erected in 1900.
This place is most remarkable for its unique vegetation. Visitors to the park will be able to see more than fifty varieties of trees and shrubs, some of which cannot be found in other Karelian cities.
Temple of the Icon of the Mother of God
Ancient churches are what the city of Olonets is deservedly famous for, whose attractions attract curious tourists. In the heart of the village, travelers can find a small island on the territory of which there is the Cathedral of the Icon of the Mother of God. It was possible to establish that the construction of the temple was completed in 1752, from the point of view of the architectural style, it belongs to such a direction as classicism. It is curious that even earlier on this territory was the church of Hodegetria.
Guests of the city should visit the cathedral already because in 1819 he received the emperor Alexander the First within his walls. It is known that the autocrat defended the service in this temple, offering prayers, and also donated a large sum for its restoration. The history of the cathedral was not easy, in 1917 it was closed for a long time. Then, a museum of local lore was functioning on its territory for some time. Currently, services are being held in the temple again.
Wazheozersky Monastery
What other attractions of Olonets are worthy of the attention of the guests of this ancient settlement? Among the interesting religious buildings located on the territory of the city, a special place is occupied by the Vazheozersky Monastery, built in the 16th century by the efforts of the monks Gennady and Nicephorus. Legend has it that ministers of the church dreamed of solitude, which they found within the walls of the monastery.
The history of the ancient temple is full of events, including bloody ones. Despite the protection of the deaf Karelian forests, during the Time of Troubles, the Poles discovered it, as a result of which the monastery had to be rebuilt. In 1917, the temple, like many other religious buildings, was closed. For some time, its territory served as a camp where prisoners of war were kept, and the church also managed to go to a psychiatric hospital. At the moment, Vazheozersky Monastery is again open for the suffering, who want to worship the shrines.
Assumption Cathedral
Listing the sights of Olonets, one cannot ignore the church, built by order of Catherine the First. The empress often happened to be in this city with Peter the Great, she kept the most pleasant memories of him.
It is curious that this particular church never stopped its work, no matter what year it stood in the yard. The temple owes much to Natalya Lobskaya and other parishioners who did not allow her to stop working in the sixties. Interestingly, after the battle for the church was won, Natalia became a nun.
Cathedral of Frol and Lavra
What other sights of Olonets (Karelia) deserve attention? Guests of the city should definitely see the Church of Frol and Lavra, which is famous throughout the world as a monument of Novgorod architecture. The exact date of its construction has not been established, it is only known that it happened in the 17th century. The reason for the construction of the temple was the notorious battle with the Lithuanians, which claimed thousands of lives.
Other attractions of Olonets described in this article can hardly compete in terms of historical value with this temple. The fact is that the cathedral is the oldest wooden building preserved on the lands of Karelia. It is also interesting by the iconboat iconostasis, which was often found in churches built before the 14th century.