The city of Sortavala is located on the northwest coast of Lake Ladoga. It is considered the administrative center of the Sortavala region and the Sortavala city settlement. You can get here from Petrozavodsk by bus, which, judging by the reviews, is used by many tourists, which is very convenient for them. The railway Kostomuksha - St. Petersburg also passes through the city. Forty kilometers from the city is the famous island of Valaam.
City name
There are different versions about the origin of the name of this city. One of the most common is the "church". It is directly related to the location of the monastery and the Valaam archipelago in relation to the city. Under this assumption, “Sortavala” can be translated as “power at the devil”. There is a legend that an unclean force nailed to this shore , which was expelled by the first monks from Balaam. The second version (which appeared thanks to Academician Grotto) says that this name arose from the Finnish word “sorttawa”, which means “dissecting”. It belonged to the Vakkolahti Gulf dividing the city into two halves. This legend is liked by many visitors to the city, and they are happy to retell it to each other.
The city of Sortavala is one of the beautiful and ancient cities of Karelia, which many of its guests recognize, leaving admiring reviews of its beauty. It differs from the rest by its amazing historical and cultural view, which was formed by 3 states: Sweden, Finland and Russia. The city appeared during the reign of the Swedes, its economic development and revival is associated with the time of joining our country, while the heyday falls on the period when it belonged to Finland.
Bit of history
The city was formed in 1632 by the Swedes, but in the twelfth century the Karelians here founded a fortified settlement. A century later, the fortress perished: there is an opinion that it was destroyed by the Swedes. But at the same moment the lands of today's Ladoga fell under the influence of Novgorod. On the border of the 16-17th centuries, during the Russian-Swedish war, these lands more than once passed into different possessions. The city in 1783 became a county and belonged to the Vyborg province, while in 1811 it became part of Finland along with the province. In 1893, a railway was opened in Ladoga, after which, by the beginning of the twentieth century, a steamboat connection with St. Petersburg, Shlimmelburg, Valaam and Konevetsky monasteries appeared in this place . Sortavala in 1917 began to relate to the Vyborg province. Today it is a beautiful city that attracts with its historical sights and unusual architecture, which is confirmed by numerous reviews of tourists.
Architecture
Many vacationers in the city leave delighted reviews that Sortavala gives the opportunity to get acquainted with different architectural styles, including classicism, Western European modernism, national romanticism, neoclassicism, functionalism, neo-Gothic, constructivism. In addition, a huge number of wooden structures from the mid-nineteenth century, mainly in the Empire style, have been preserved here. Finland at the beginning of the twentieth century became the leader of world architecture, and at the same time led our country, since St. Petersburg to Helsinki is a stone's throw away. In architecture, the influence of northern Art Nouveau, especially on Kamenny Island , is very noticeable.
Piipun Piha
This tourist complex is located in the vicinity of the city. It has an excellent infrastructure that allows you to make your stay rich and exciting for everyone who liked this hotel (Sortavala, by the way, has a lot of hotels on its territory). The number of rooms here consists of single, double, as well as superior rooms. The hotel has a lobby bar, a restaurant where you can try European, Karelian and Russian cuisine, accompanied by quiet music. It has an incredibly cozy atmosphere.
Vacationers note the excellent service, friendly staff, solid, well-furnished rooms. In addition, tourists are always pleased with the menu offered in the restaurant at the hotel.
Hotel "Seurahuone"
The hotel is located in the central area of the city, on the shores of Lake Ladoga. Near it is Kirov Square and the Church of St. Nicholas, which guests of Sortavala regularly come to see. Hotel "Seurahuone" has a very convenient location - not far from the hotel you can find cafes and restaurants for every budget and taste, which many like. The friendly staff will help you with pleasure to decide on the selection of excursions, as well as provide you with all the information you need to relax. Visitors are provided with free Internet access, therefore, you can always be in touch with your home and loved ones. If necessary, you can also use the laundry services. The hotel has 37 comfortable and bright rooms. Each one is equipped with a TV. There is a garage and private parking.
In most cases, reviews of hotel guests about living in it are positive. Guests are quite happy with its convenient location and good service. The presence of a garage is very convenient for many - after all, some tourists travel by car. Some complaints are caused by the somewhat overpriced price of the rooms, but there are not many similar reviews.
Hotel Sofia
This hotel is located in the central area of the city. Near it is the Museum of the Northern Ladoga, Vaccosalmi Park, as well as the Church of St. Nicholas. Hotel guests have the opportunity to use the kitchen, which is equipped with everything that is necessary for self-cooking, of course, if they decide that the Sofia Hotel (Sortavala) is suitable for their rest. In the surrounding bars you can enjoy relaxing with a glass of your favorite drink, as well as light snacks. Free internet access is available here, so you will always be up to date with the latest news. In addition, if necessary, it is possible to use the laundry.
According to tourists, this hotel attracts with a quite affordable price for accommodation, the ability to cook their own meals. According to the guests, the professional staff who can, if necessary, help in solving many issues that arise during their stay in the city, deserve kind words.
Hotel-club "Gardarika"
The hotel club is located sixty kilometers from the city, in the village of Vyartsilya. The whole complex is located on the shores of the meteorite lake of Yanisyarvi, right in the center of the pine forest. This hotel offers vacationers accommodation in comfortable rooms of various categories, as well as equipped cottages. Here is a cozy restaurant where you can organize all kinds of services: three meals a day, catering, banquet services. A huge charge of energy and vivacity will give you the purest air of these places. Here you can enjoy leisurely walks through the woods, have a picnic, pick berries and mushrooms, go fishing.
According to everyone who happened to stay at this hotel, its main advantage is the beauty of the well-groomed territory and the comfort of the rooms offered. According to the guests, the hotel is ideal for those who want to go to nature and enjoy its beauty. This is one of the hotels in the city, which has virtually no complaints from guests.
Hotel "Ladoga"
In the center of Sortavala, a stone's throw from the shore of Lake Ladoga, is the Ladoga Hotel. Sortavala boasts not only its amazing architecture, but also its stunning nature, which can be understood simply by visiting here. The city marina and train station are within a radius of eight hundred meters from here. Young people prefer to stay here. Hotel "Ladoga" has a cafe in which stunning dishes of Russian home cuisine are served for visitors. The room rate includes a rich breakfast. Guests can also enjoy a business lunch made with fresh, organic products. On weekends, live music is heard from the karaoke bar. The hotel also has a separate banquet room, which hosts various corporate events and celebrations. Ladoga has free Wi-Fi, although almost all hotels in Sortavala provide this service, due to which you can constantly stay in touch with relatives. In the courtyard of the premises there is a guarded parking lot. And in order to update a manicure or make a hairstyle, you can look into the hairdresser located here.
Guests who visited this welcoming place believe that the hotel is not very suitable for a relaxing holiday or for businessmen - too noisy and crowded. And young people respond with enthusiasm about the hotel, here you can always have fun, chat with friends, spend a romantic evening.
"Wave"
Many people like the Volna Hotel. Sortavala presents to its vacationers a high quality service in hotels, this institution is no exception. The hotel is located on the ground floor of the hotel complex, which is located in the central part of Sortavala, right on the Blue Road highway, along the incredibly picturesque coast of Vakkolahti Bay. The hotel opened in June 2003.
Reviews about this hotel are different, sometimes contradictory. For example, motorists are quite happy with its location, and other guests do not really like the close proximity to the highway. Affordable prices for accommodation and friendly staff bribe you.
Hotel "Sortavala"
The hotel offers comfortable rooms equipped with beautiful and comfortable furniture made of coniferous wood. Each room has a shower and a bathroom. Each room has cable TV.
Judging by the reviews, this hotel (Sortavala) is most suitable for families with children. Many guests note a fair price-quality ratio.
Hotel Kaunis, Sortavala
The hotel is located in the historic city center, on the coast of the largest European lake - Ladoga. Near the hotel there is a city marina and a parking lot. On the ground floor there is a small cafe for 25 people. The room fund is represented by nineteen comfortable rooms, where there is everything you need. Vacationers have the opportunity to go to a sports complex with a gym and pool. You can also visit city tours, to the exhibition hall of K. Gogolev, to the local history museum, to the island of Valaam, to the mountain park "Ruskeala".
As a rule, guests respond to this establishment warmly and kindly. They like that well-trained staff speak two languages (the hotel staff speak Finnish pretty well). True, some visitors are confused by the high price for accommodation, but for many this hotel remains the most beloved.
Sortavala is a city that has long been located in areas of constant border conflict. In this place, everyone can find something interesting for themselves, as evidenced by the reviews of people who have ever rested here. Recreation facilities and hotels of Sortavala are always waiting for their visitors!