The Karelian Republic is an amazing landscape and clean air, relaxation in the lap of nature and incomparable impressions. Northern nature is harsh and very special, it needs to be understood and loved, but it is impossible not to admire it. Untouched, dense forests, cold and transparent rivers, lakes and streams - this is a world into which people did not manage to penetrate. However, not only nature attracts tourists. White Sea petroglyphs are one of the attractions of these places, which annually collects a large number of history buffs.
A bit about petroglyphs
Surely you are interested in this topic, if you decide to understand it in more detail. Then let's start with the story of what the White Sea petroglyphs are. This is a kind of immersion in the unknown, in the secrets of the life of an ancient person. On the shores of the White Sea, an amazing discovery awaits you, which will slightly reveal the secrets of our past. White Sea petroglyphs are drawings that were hollowed out right in the rock many thousands of years ago. For the most part, these are images of hunters and fishermen, whose art helped the tribe survive in that distant time. It is amazing how you feel the abyss of time that separates us from the authors of the drawings when you are standing next to these rocks. The White Sea petroglyphs are a piece of primitive culture, unique monuments of monumental art of the Neolithic era. They are dated IV-II millennia BC.
Archaeological site
Indeed, today it is officially a monument of ancient art, protected by law. The White Sea petroglyphs are located in several places. Zalavruga - the location of a large number of rock paintings. They were also found on the islands of Yerpin Pudas, Shoyrukshin, Big Malinin, etc. The complex was opened in stages, since it is actually huge. The very first part was discovered in 1926, and the honor of this event belongs to the writer and ethnographer A. Linevsky. Initially, the discoverer gave this place the poetic name "Demon's Footprints". He devoted a huge amount of time to the study of this place, in fact, thanks to him we learned about the archaeological complex "White Sea Petroglyphs". It was the years of study of cave paintings that were reflected in the scientific novel of the writer “Sheets of a stone book”.
Discoveries continue
This was not the last discovery associated with these places. Below we will describe in detail how you can explore the White Sea petroglyphs, how to get here to anyone. In the meantime, a little history. Already in 1936, another group of drawings was found in a place called Zalavruga. The cave paintings are surprisingly good, given the level of development of the people of the Neolithic era. The central rock shows us three deer and scenes of hunting for them. Moreover, in each of the figures, the season is clear. Hunters, respectively, are painted on boats or on skis. There are also drawings on the theme of war with the invaders.
New Zalavruga (White Sea petrographs, Republic of Karelia)
This year was very fruitful, and already in the fall of 1936 the expedition of the famous archaeologist makes a new discovery. This is a huge site of 200 square meters, completely covered with a layer of land. It was this coating that allowed thousands of drawings to be perfectly preserved. Archaeologists carefully cleaned the entire surface, and it became a wonderful open-air museum. Take your time to personally see the White Sea petroglyphs. Photos do not convey their charm. New Zalavruga includes 26 different groups of drawings, this is a whole art gallery. The largest of these is the moose hunting scene in winter over the infusion. Moreover, the main role in them is played by a person, that is, an important event took place at this time, namely, the perception of the surrounding world changed.
How to get there
The route will be slightly different depending on what type of transport you choose. There are White Sea petroglyphs (GPS coordinates: Zalavruga 64.2928N, 34.4034E) in the White Sea region of Karelia. The nature here is truly reserved, which means you will spend wonderful moments and breathe in fresh air. We have already mentioned that cave paintings are several groups that are remote from each other. It’s easy to organize your tour in such a way as to see all the White Sea petroglyphs. How to get there by car, we will tell you later.
Train travel
You will need any train that goes to Belomorsk. This may be a route from Petrozavodsk, Murmansk or St. Petersburg. However, another 7 km on foot will remain from the station. You can use the services of local taxi drivers. The goal of your journey is the center of the village of Vygostrov, where there is a special guide for tourists. From here you have to go on foot, a little lower we will tell you where.
Travel by car
It will pass along the federal highway M18. It is paved, although in some places broken. However, it is not so easy to find the White Sea petroglyphs. How to get, we will now consider together. Moving along the M18 highway, you need to turn onto Belomorsk. Before reaching the city for about 4 km, you need to find the sign "Village Vygostrov." It is here that another green pointer is located, which directs you into the forest and reads: "Belomorsky petroglyphs". Leave your car and go for a walk.
The road to the unknown
You do not have to wander; a convenient path leads directly from the sign to the goal. Soon you will see a small bridge over the river, followed by a poster with rules of conduct in the conservation area. Now you go to the first and most ancient drawings, the complex of which is called "Demon Traces." Another group is located a couple of kilometers away in Zalavrug. It can only be reached on foot, however such an excursion will give a tremendous amount of experience. Walking on a wooden flooring connecting huge stone slabs, you find yourself in the world of your distant ancestors. However, it is recommended to go here with an experienced guide, otherwise too much will elude your attention.
White Sea Museum
It is called so - the regional museum of local lore "White Sea Petroglyphs". The museum was created after they recognized the historical value of these finds. It includes an ordinary building, where the main exhibits telling about the beauty and richness of this region are located. It is located at: Belomorsk, st. Pervomaiskaya, 18. However, its other part, which is located in the open air and where you can see the White Sea petroglyphs proper, is much more interesting. Excursions to ancient drawings are held from May to September, with prior registration required, as the archaeological complex is located 7 km from the city. But judging by the experience of tourists, all the beauty and richness of this archaeological complex can be known only if you visit it with an experienced guide. This tour is designed for 3 hours, the length of the automobile part of the path is 15 km, after which another 2.5 km of walking awaits you. The composition of the group can be from 6 people, the Gazelle and Ford cars are in the ownership of the museum. Mysterious and stunningly interesting White Sea petroglyphs await you. The Republic of Karelia invites you to get acquainted with an amazing ancient monument.
Other museum exhibitions
First of all, it will be interesting for you to visit the exposition “Marine Culture of Pomors”. It is available to visitors all year round. In addition to Monday and Thursday, on any day of the week, from 11 to 17, you can get acquainted with the life of a whole people. As part of this excursion, you will get acquainted with traditional folk crafts, their historical formation. Photos and documents, models of vessels in which our ancestors went to sea are presented to your attention. In addition, you can see the genuine tools of crafts and their layouts, household items and household items of Pomors. The exposition is located right in the pulm of the workshop, which is located near the pier. That is, any tourist following Solovki can easily visit her.
Excursion to Belomorsk
We have already told you in detail about the most luxurious attraction of this region - the petroglyphs of Karelia. You have already learned how to get there, however, if you are here, it is nice to explore the city itself, because it is really very beautiful. It is located between two rugged branches of the rivers. You are waited by the pedestrian or car walk on the most interesting places, duration of excursion - only one hour, therefore, even if you have a little time, you can manage to see everything.
Finally, another attraction that an experienced guide offers to visit is the 19th gateway of the White Sea-Baltic Canal. You will be told in detail all the secrets of grandiose construction, how lock chambers and a drawbridge, hydraulic structures are arranged. You can see the photo report in detail how it was created. As you can see, the Republic of Karelia is rich in entertainment. They are special here, not at all similar to those that the southern resorts offer you. However, from this they do not become less attractive. Especially here you will like the inquisitive and inquisitive tourist, who is more interested in the mysteries of our planet than a beach holiday on the seashore. In any case, it is worth a visit.