DAY TRIP FROM ST.PETERSBURG TO PETROZAVODSK AND KIZHI

 

The tour includes visiting Petrozavodsk, the capital of Autonomous Republic of Karelia (part of Russian Federation), and the real gem of the area: Kizhi island in the Onega lake. Once this area belonged to the Novgorod Principality, and was a part of the trade route from the continental Rus’ (the name of medieval Russia) to the shores of White Sea. It was in the 11^th century when the enterprising Novgorodians began to populate the lands around the Ladoga and Onega lakes, that were rich in forests, pearl fishery, salt and mica. The main occupation of the new inhabitants, along with hunting, crop farming and woodcutting, was building houses and unique wooden churches. Due to their skill and craftsmanship the local carpenters were well known all over Russia at all times.

While visiting Kizhi (the name comes from the old local dialect for “A place for games or worshipping”) a visitor admires the original monuments of the Museum of wooden architecture with its unique styled buildings including UNESCO listed Transfiguration Cathedral. The lore says than when Nestor, the architect and the builder of the Cathedral, finished his work, he cast his axe into the lake ask proclaimed: “No one before has built such a temple of God, and no one will do it again in the future”.

 

The program of the tour: 3 Days / 2 Nights

 

Day 1	Arrival to St.Petersburg or Moscow. City tour, transfer to the train station, taking overnight train to Petrozavodsk.
Day 2	Arrival to Petrozavodsk. Transfer to the hotel accompanied by the local guide. Breakfast in the hotel. Trip to the Kizhi island by a hydrofoil (takes 1 hour and 15 minutes). A 3-hour tour of the museum of the wooden architecture in the open air. Among the highlights of the island is The Church of Transfiguration of the Savior crowned with 22 cupolas and built without a single nail. Return to Petrozavodsk. Lunch in a city restaurant. Sightseeing tour of the city. Dinner (Russian cuisine). Transfer to the train station. Departure to St.Petersburg by the overnight train.
Day 3	Arrival to St.Petersburg or Moscow. Transfer to the hotel or airport.

 

Recommended period for travelling: from end of May through mid-September.