Ruskeala shows how an old marble quarry has shaped the landscape and cultural heritage of the area. The Marble Canyon is a flooded former quarry. After extraction ended, the canyon gradually filled with water; a lake formed in its place, surrounded by cliffs up to 25 metres high. The water is clear and up to 20 metres deep. Steep white walls are reflected in the emerald-green water.
The Marble Canyon and winter formations
Paths run around the Marble Canyon, and viewpoints offer panoramic views. In winter, the cliffs form ice walls with hundreds of icicles and icefalls. This seasonal change is a distinctive aspect of the landscape: Ruskeala’s character is shaped both by the flooded quarry and by its winter ice formations.
The history of the marble quarry
Ruskeala Mountain Park was established in 2005 in the village of Ruskeala, based on the cultural heritage site “Marble Quarry”; its history as an industrial monument spans more than 250 years. The old marble quarry supplied marble that was later used in St Isaac’s Cathedral, Mikhailovsky Castle and the pavilions of the Summer Garden in St Petersburg. The story of the material thus leads from the extraction site in Ruskeala to specific buildings in St Petersburg.
Experience traces of mining
The “Miners’ Path” brings traces of their work into view, while the “Underground Ruskeala” route leads through a network of tunnels and halls in an old marble mine to a lake illuminated by spotlights. Before visiting, check current visiting arrangements and access details with the operator.
Ecofest: check dates in advance
The Ecofest sports festival takes place annually at Ruskeala Mountain Park. The programme includes running, Nordic walking, swimming and stand-up paddling. Exact event dates vary. If the festival is a deciding factor in your trip, check the current dates with the operator before planning.
More things to see in the Republic of Karelia
In the wider destination of the Republic of Karelia, you’ll find other nature and cultural heritage attractions that differ from Ruskeala’s industrial history. At Kivach Nature Reserve, an introductory excursion includes an outdoor walk to Kivach Waterfall and a visit to the arboretum and natural history museum. The waterfall is on the Suna River in central Karelia and is 10.7 metres high. Traditional wooden architecture takes centre stage at the Kizhi Museum Reserve: the open-air museum features 89 monuments, including chapels, houses, mills and granaries. Visitors can see the interiors of the Church of the Intercession of the Mother of God and peasant houses; traditional peasant crafts are demonstrated in the houses. The Onega and White Sea petroglyphs are also part of the region’s cultural heritage: the World Heritage site comprises 4,500 Neolithic rock carvings. The White Sea petroglyphs mainly depict hunting and sailing scenes, including equipment, as well as animal and human footprints.
Discover more destinations: Yalguba, Velikaya Guba, Shuyskaya Chupa, Pedaselga, Veshkelitsa, Lumivaara, Petrozavodsk, Kuzaranda
To the main travel overview: Republic of Karelia.
