Peter is not only the Northern capital of the Federation, but also the center of the region, in which are important from the point of view of culture and history of the city. One such center is Lodeynoye Pole. It is located 244 km from St. Petersburg, if you move in the North-East direction.
History of creation and development
The construction of Lodeynoye Field began as early as 1702 by order of Emperor Peter I. It was he who at one time drew attention to the dense pine forests on the banks of the Svir River and decided on the need to create a shipyard on the left elevated bank. She became known as Olonetskaya. It was from her that the first imperial warships left the Baltic Sea . The Olonets shipyard was abolished only in 1830.
During its existence in 1785, they began laying a county town called Lodeynoye Pole. In the second part of the XIX century, several woodworking enterprises were created there, at that time it became the center of the wood trade in Svir. But in the twentieth century there was built the Lower Svir hydroelectric station, which was actively launched in 1933.
In addition, the woodworking industry developed well in Lodeynoye Pole, construction materials factories, food and pottery enterprises were erected. But at present, the pace of industrial development has slowed significantly, many local residents are leaving to work in more prosperous areas.
Military glory
Despite the fact that Lodeynoye Pole is a sparsely populated town (it can count about 20 thousand inhabitants), it managed to become famous during the Patriotic War. It was on Svir with the active participation of local residents that an insurmountable defense line was created for the Finns. The enemy armies were located on opposite sides of the river and lasted for almost three years. And only at the beginning of the summer of 1944 the Svir-Petrozavodsk operation was carried out, which forced the Finns to retreat. Thanks to the cunning of the military and the powerful artillery preparation, a little lower than Lodeynoye Field, the Soviet military crossed the river and occupied the front line on which the Finns were holding.
sights
It is worth noting that Lodeynoye Pole is not too spoiled by the attention of tourists. But the wanderers who drove into the city even for a short time do not regret their decision. Of course, it practically does not differ from the mass of similar small northern towns, but it has a more eventful history, so it is interesting.
Basically, this place is used either as a temporary transshipment point, or simply pass by along the railway laid at the beginning of the 20th century. By the way, many believe that it is thanks to its creation that the Lodeynoye Pole also exists. Trains, following their routes, pass along the entire city. The railway is located so that they are forced to go round it in order to get on the big bridge thrown over the Svir.
Travelers who came to this district center can look at the stele, which was established in 1832 on the site of the house of Peter I. Also in the city there is a monument erected in honor of the soldiers who died during the Great Patriotic War. So that the ancestors did not forget about this terrible period, the memorial park “Svirskaya Pobeda” remained in Lodeynoye Pole. In it everyone can see real military dugouts, trenches, dugouts and lay flowers at the monument, designed to glorify heroes.
The monument, erected in honor of the 300th anniversary of the city, may also be of interest to many guests who came to Lodeynoye Pole. St. Petersburg, by the way, is the same age as this district center. But, despite the same age, it is difficult to find something in common between them.
Important story
In the local museum of local lore you can learn about the lives of prisoners in the SvirLAG labor camp. This was a special place, it was considered one of the worst Soviet concentration camps. SvirLAG lasted six years, during which time 70 thousand political prisoners passed through it. In these northern conditions, prisoners, among whom there were quite a lot of religious people, were forced to walk half-naked. Nutrition was set at the limit of clinical hunger.
It was here that the now-famous holy martyrs, Archbishops Feodor of Volokolamsk and Belyaev Augustin, Obolenskaya Kira, Princess Martyr, nun Veronika, priest Sergey Mechev, philosopher Alexei Losov, who was secretly tonsured as a monk, were there.
But such a terrible story did not prevent religion from developing on Lodeinopolsky land. In 1989, the first Orthodox community began to operate, the church at that time was a house donated for this purpose by a believing woman, Barbara.
Religious pilgrimage
In addition to the first small church, in Lodeynoy Pole there is a chapel of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. It is very interesting from an architectural point of view, according to the project it resembles the silhouette of a ship and, accordingly, the emblem of the city is a boat from the time of Peter the Great. In the 90s, the church of the Apostles Paul and Peter was erected. It is not far from the place where the Peter and Paul Cathedral was built in 1843, which, unfortunately, was destroyed during the Soviet era. Only one icon of the Archangel Michael survived from it . By the way, in the temple of Peter and Paul there is the image of Panteleimon the Healer, on the back of which you can see the inscription that he was blessed on the Holy Mount Athos back in 1910.
But often tourists drive through the city, not even interested in its beauties and history, on the way to the more famous male
Alexander-Svirsky monastery. Believers also often go to the female Pokrovo-Tervenicheskaya and Vvedeno-Oyatskaya cloisters. All pilgrims talk about the special atmosphere of these places, about the peculiar religious vibes that come from the monasteries. Moreover, this is achieved not thanks to the external gloss and pathos, which, in principle, is not there, but with the help of the religious spirit and deep faith of the inhabitants.
Natural beauty
But the area near Lodeynoye Field is interesting not only for believers. One of the main attractions of the region is the Nizhne-Svirsky Nature Reserve, whose area is 42,000 hectares. In the North-West of Russia, this is considered one of the most attractive places.
Vast territories are covered by untouched forests, swamp massifs, rivers and numerous lakes. The nature in this area is unique: it combines the Baltic landscapes and taiga exotic. In addition, the reserve has an ornithological station. But the real peak of tourism begins in the mushroom season. Every year more and more visitors are celebrated here. And this is not in vain, because the Pryvir region is deservedly considered the most mushroom region of the Leningrad Region.
Those who arrived in Lodeynoye Pole should also visit the healing spring, which at one time was called alive. It was believed that his water heals diseases and even resurrects. Experts have found that the combination of phytochemicals in this source is superior in quality to all well-known brands of both popular Caucasian and European waters.
Everyday life and leisure
If you decide to go to a nature reserve or a monastery and want to call in this district center on the way, then you will be interested in Lodeynoye Polye hotels. Given the fact that this town is small, tourists have virtually no choice. They can settle either in the Green Hill complex, or in the Svir hotel.
Of course, there are not so many places of entertainment in the center, but those who wish can visit the local drama theater, on the basis of which a cinema hall, local history museum was also opened, go to the library of 1905.
You should not take products with you if you are traveling to Lodeynoye Pole. Shops in the city are working properly, they do not differ from their counterparts in other regional centers of the Russian outback.
Tourists reviews
Of course, inspired by the description of the guides, many seek to see all the sights of the city. But most tourists remain disappointed. Indeed, at present, according to eyewitnesses, many monuments are being destroyed, in the city there is neither the desire nor the means to maintain cultural objects in decent condition. But the reviews about religious sites, including the monasteries in the area, are excellent. Tourists do not get tired of talking about the special atmosphere of these places. Travelers also note unsurpassed natural beauty, because it is not in vain that the Lower Svirsky Nature Reserve was founded in this area.
Those who had to get to these places by train do not get tired of remembering the large railway bridge that is thrown over the Svir River. Also, tourists are pleased to recall the restored station, which greets all visitors with bright colors.
How to get there
At the travel planning stage, many are interested in how best to get into the city. Many, of course, prefer a train ride. During the train walk you can enjoy all the beauties of the northern region.
But others choose the highway Petersburg - Lodeynoye Pole. A bus runs between these cities regularly. Several main routes pass through the district center, more than 20 flights pass through the local bus station every day. But travelers should prepare in advance for a long trip - they will have to travel 139 km on the highway from St. Petersburg to Lodeynoye Pole.