Svobodnoye can be viewed through two historical periods: the history of the former church of Kirvu and the memorial sites in the surrounding area. The settlement was called Kirvu until 1948. Those interested in architectural history will find a tangible historical trace here; for nature and other cultural topics, it is worth looking separately at Leningrad Oblast, which provides a much broader regional context.

Kirvu: church, congregation and former use

The third church of Kirvu was built of wood in 1816, based on a design by architect Matti Salonen. Its cruciform layout and freestanding bell tower describe the building more precisely than simply calling it a wooden church. In 1858, Kirvu became an independent parish. Its features included an organ with 16 stops, installed in 1893, and an old altarpiece by an unknown artist depicting the crucified Christ. During the Soviet period of 1940–41, all the interior furnishings were destroyed; the building was then used as a granary. The year it was built, the development of the parish and its later use each provide different clues to Kirvu’s history.

Memorial sites in the surrounding area

A foundation remains at the former church site. A photograph dated 2006 also shows a memorial park and a memorial cross there. Nearby is Military Burial Site No. 68 in the settlement of Svobodnoye, which was called Kirvu until 1948; a memorial was opened there before Victory Day. Another photograph from 2006 shows a monument at the burial site of Finnish soldiers who died in 1918 and 1939–44. The church and the memorial sites thus represent different parts of the area’s history.

A broader look at Leningrad Oblast

Leningrad Oblast can be considered separately as a setting for further regional nature and cultural topics. Vepssky Forest Nature Park lies in the easternmost part of the oblast and includes seven nature reserves with particularly strict protection rules. The park has numerous lakes; the largest is Lake Lerinskoye, in the reserve of the same name. Old spruce and pine forests have been preserved in the “Vepssky Les” and “Ashchozersky” reserves. They are important for numerous organisms that depend on forests undisturbed by economic activity.

The culture and wildlife of the nature park are also distinct topics. The Veps, a small people of Russia with their own culture and traditions, have traditionally lived there. Brown bears are found in greater numbers; the wolverine, which is extremely rare in the region, has also been recorded. These features belong to the regional nature park, not to the description of Svobodnoye.

Fortress history in the region

Another cultural and historical topic in Leningrad Oblast is Koporye Fortress. It is a museum and a monument of ancient Russian stone architecture. It has been preserved in its present form since the 16th century; parts of the masonry date from the 13th century. Visitors can explore without a guide using the multimedia guide “Koporskaya krepost 2.0”; check its availability before planning your visit. Climbing the walls and towers is prohibited because of their emergency condition. While the nature park focuses on landscapes, forests and Veps culture, Koporye offers a different perspective through architecture and building history.

Discover more destinations: Klyuchevoye, Gorlovshchina, Kusino, Torfyanovka, Podborovye, Vistino, Runovo, Gavrilovo.

For the broader travel overview: Leningrad Oblast.