Quarry marble "Ruskeala". Mountain Park "Ruskeala". Marble quarry, Karelia

Mountain Park "Ruskeala" has been operating for almost ten years. For mass visit it was opened in 2005. Its creation was sponsored by the tourist company "Kolmas Karelia". Today Ruskeala is very popular. This place has become so famous for a reason. Tens of thousands of tourists visit it every year.

General information

The monument is called "Marble breaking Ruskeala XVII - early XX centuries." At present, the creation of such a complex is a positive and infrequent phenomenon in Russia. This example demonstrates how the object of cultural heritage can be revived with the help of private funds. The place itself is unique. Here we managed to recreate the rare symbiosis of the mining museum of past centuries and the natural sights that Karelia is famous for. "Ruskeala" is a truly unique ensemble. Its natural beauty can be admired at any time of the year.

Special atmosphere

Three quarries were formed here as a result of the extraction of marble. They are located next to the left bank of the Tohmajoki River. Careers are interconnected by galleries. Soon the work on the extraction of stone ceased. Careers were abandoned. In place of the old quarries there were picturesque mountain lakes. They are white marble thickets, which are filled with pure water of bluish-green color. Currently, inactive shafts and mines resemble mysterious grottoes and caves.

Local Attractions

Quarry marble "Ruskeala" is the main attraction of the complex. This place is a monument of industrial culture of the XVIII-XX centuries. Park "Ruskeala" is officially included in the list of cultural heritage of the Russian Federation. This monument is unique. The second such complex is not found anywhere in Europe. This is a kind of man-made "cup" from a solid marble massif. It is penetrated by the system of drifts, tunnels and mines. Here, facing blocks were obtained for many architectural structures of the city of St. Petersburg. The majestic St. Isaac's Cathedral is also no exception. A variety of structures were decorated with the help of Ruskeale marble. It has a stunning color: white with greenish flashes. This marble is still decorated with some metro stations.

Quarry marble "Ruskeala"

Its length is about four hundred and fifty meters. It is quite deep. Currently, the quarry is flooded. The water rises to the upper underground horizon. This was done by the Finns before the war began in the 1940s. Under the water is most of the galleries that were formed in the first half of the last century. Only one of them is located above this level. This gallery was formed in the depths of mountain ranges in the 30s. Inside it a path was built along which the trolleys with marble moved. It is connected to shaft number 2. It was through it that workers moved. The mine goes deep into the mountain at a distance of about two hundred meters. The bulk of the railway, along which the trolleys moved, was still preserved.

Picturesque views

Externally, the marble quarry "Ruskeala" makes a huge impression. Gray-white cliffs descend down to the turquoise lake. Its banks are very rugged. The rocks go deep into a huge distance. Regularly conducted an excursion to "Ruskeala". The canyon has its own pier. Here, guests can rent a car and take a boat. While traveling on it you can look at the canyon from the water. A certain part of the blocks hangs over this space at a negative angle. Travelers can also enjoy the views of the grottoes. They were formed in sheer cliffs. The play of light on the marble ceiling for a long time attracts the views of tourists. The grottoes really look very picturesque. In a calm watery surface, white marble walls and vaults are reflected.

Precautionary measures

There are also dry galleries here. However, tourists are strictly forbidden to visit them. To do this, you need to accompany the geologist. The heat outside indicates that the chill is in the marble tunnel. Feel the wetness can be as deepening into the formation. It is difficult to imagine what it was like to work here. Career management provided some data at that time. During the periods of greatest loads, production was conducted year-round. The drilling process did not stop day or night.

Principal differences

There is the main, the most famous and visited quarry of "Ruskeala". Around him was a few more abandoned. Currently, activities are underway to develop them. Most quarries are different from each other. This applies not only to the types of shores. This also applies to the color of water. For example, in one career it can be gray, and in another - blue. The main one is slightly different from the others. The water in this career is bluish-green in color. Over time, the walls here are darkened and weather-beaten. This happened during the time, until the quarries were not developed. However, this will not prevent tourists from seeing their real color. It can be seen on freshly cut marble slices. They are quite common. The old "block" quarry is special in this respect. Here you can see the most vivid manifestations of the picturesque stone. It was in this quarry that the extraction of marble was carried out by large blocks.

Underground research

The Speleological Commission of St. Petersburg was engaged in the development of a long-term expedition project. It is called "Underground Karelia". The study was conducted by speleologists in 2010. Mountain Park "Ruskeala" and the Marble Failure have become the main objects of research. The latter is very close to the place where the main sightseeing route runs through the complex.

Features of the complex

In winter, the marble "Ruskeala" looks no less attractive. At this time of year the ice binds the lake. Therefore, it is very easy to get to the mysterious caves and galleries. One of these places is called musical for its unusual acoustic properties. In winter "Ruskealsky failure" strikes with its splendor. It looks like an ice castle whose columns have the most bizarre shapes. There is artistic lighting. It helps the majestic canyon to brighten up with bright colors with the onset of darkness. The marble quarry (Karelia) (map of the area is given in the article) is a favorite place where divers enjoy practicing their training. As a rule, they do it in the most remote corners of the quarry, so they do not interfere with the bulk of visitors at all. Several quarries here are flooded. The galleries connecting them also found themselves in the water. Canyon "Ruskeala" (the map demonstrates this clearly) included only three functioning underground horizons, which were used for extraction. Fans of scuba diving will find this place a paradise. Tempting labyrinths will not leave anyone indifferent. At the very bottom of the canyon there is still some technique. For example, motorcycles, cars and even a crane. All this attracts those who are engaged in techno-diving. The water here is transparent. Muti is practically nonexistent. Water vegetation is also absent. In autumn, however, leaves can fall, which drop birches.
Local staff supports the marble quarry "Ruskeala" clean. Employees periodically make sorties to the lake and clean it from debris. Everywhere there are traces of people's stay: paper, plastic bottles and the like. Nevertheless, visitors do not litter enough. It must be that the magnificent beauty of a flooded quarry is captivating to the guests. The conscience does not allow to pollute the picturesque mountain lake. On the territory of the mountain park, not only the ancient marble quarries were preserved. There are also other historical sites. For example, the old administrative building. It is made in the style of classicism. The building is entirely made up of Ruskeal marble. On the territory of the complex there are monuments of industrial architecture of the XIX century. They are furnaces that were designed for calcining lime. Their brick pipes have a conical shape. The current quarry will also be of interest to tourists. You can observe the process of mining large marble blocks. Currently, these facilities are not included in the mountain park. For this reason, they are poorly adapted for tourist excursions.

"Ruskeala" (recreation center). General information

There are a lot of positive emotions here. The complex is located in Sortavala district. This is the southern part of Karelia. From St. Petersburg to this place about three hundred kilometers. The complex "Ruskeala", a photo of which is presented in the article, can receive guests all year round. The base is equipped with everything necessary for their comfortable living. The rooms can accommodate from two to eight people. There are special rooms for honeymooners and families with children. Together with parents, a child can be accommodated even in infancy.

Entertainment

Guests can arrange a picnic on site. Available brazier. Guests can bake fish and cook shish kebabs. There is a rental of a wood-burning sauna. It is located on the shore of the lake. On the basis of "Ruskeala" developed a fairly extensive program for holidaymakers. For example, you can safely fish, visit the lake Valaam or see waterfalls and a marble canyon. The friendly and polite staff works at the hostel. Even if the guests are not prepared for fishing, they can get bait, tackle and even professional advice about fishing.

Where is the attraction?

Above described features that the marble quarry "Ruskeala" has. How to get to this place? You can go through Priozersk from St. Petersburg by car. The road will run through Sortavala along the A-129 highway. In the city itself, you should go along the main road towards Petrozavodsk. From Sortavala on the 10th km there will be a turn to the A-130 highway. After Priozersk, a rather winding road begins. The total time that will have to be spent on the whole journey is 4-5 hours.