Seven Lakes and a Long History

Veshkelitsa lies on the shores of seven small lakes. Kirikiarvi, Matkajarvi and Koverajarvi are among the lakes known by name. The lakes shape the landscape of the village; anyone exploring Veshkelitsa will encounter a clearly defined natural side alongside its history and architecture. These three names offer a concrete starting point for discovering the lake landscape.

Houses, Chapel and Remembrance

The Sorokin House is a traditional dwelling dating from the late 19th century. The Chapel of Saint George the Victorious represents a much older chapter in the village’s history: it is a monument of folk architecture from the 17th century. In the 1980s, the chapel was moved from the village of Kangozero to Veshkelitsa. Together, the house and chapel illustrate different chapters in local architectural history—from a traditional late-19th-century home to a building whose history reaches back to the 17th century.

The settlement itself also has a long history: Veshkelitsa was founded no later than the 17th century. Thirty defenders of the Fatherland are buried in the mass grave in Veshkelitsa. This site is one of the village’s historical landmarks and, alongside its architectural history, serves as a tangible reminder of those buried there.

Culture and Events

Thanks to the efforts of local historian Pyotr Shamshin, a museum space was established in Veshkelitsa. If you would like to include it in your travel plans, check in advance whether a visit is possible.

A folk ensemble from Veshkelitsa performs songs in Karelian and Finnish. The two performance languages are a special point of interest for culture enthusiasts. If you are planning a visit, it is a good idea to ask about performance dates. The Veshkelitsa Fair is also a regular part of the annual calendar: it takes place every year at Pentecost. As the exact date matters for the year you plan to travel, check the dates in advance.

Further Perspectives in the Republic of Karelia

As a broader travel destination, the Republic of Karelia offers additional cultural and natural perspectives that should not be conflated with the local features of Veshkelitsa. The Kizhi Open-Air Museum displays 89 monuments of traditional wooden architecture. These include chapels and houses, as well as mills, granaries, threshing barns and drying racks. Visitors can explore the interior of the Church of the Intercession of the Mother of God and of peasant houses; traditional peasant crafts are demonstrated in the houses. This offers a distinct perspective on wooden architecture and crafts within the Republic of Karelia, while the Sorokin House and the relocated Chapel of St. George are the local examples in Veshkelitsa.

The Kivach Nature Reserve in the Republic of Karelia offers a different kind of excursion. An overview tour includes an outdoor walk to Kivach Waterfall, as well as a visit to the arboretum and the nature museum. A 1,000-metre circular trail passes through a wooded area on the banks of the Suna, near the excursion area. The excursion lasts 1 to 1.5 hours. Check the conditions and booking arrangements with the operator in advance. This makes it possible to distinguish Veshkelitsa’s local attractions from other cultural and natural offerings in the broader destination, without presenting them as features of the village.

Discover more destinations: Derevyannoye, Pedaselga, Uya, Yalguba, Shyoltozero, Chalna, Kalevala, Kurkiyeki.

For the broader travel overview: Republic of Karelia.