Matrosy has an unusually tangible connection to sled dog history: the village is home to a kennel for Chukchi sled dogs. This local focus may be a factor when searching for holiday accommodation if you prefer destinations with a clearly identifiable historical connection.
Sled Dogs and Expedition History
The memorial commemorates the 2013 expedition from the North Pole to Greenland with a dog-sled team from this kennel and celebrates the expedition’s success. The team’s origins connect the kennel for Chukchi sled dogs with the commemoration of a specific event. The memorial puts the expedition at the centre, while the kennel establishes the local connection to the dogs.
Republic of Karelia: Nature and Cultural Heritage
In the wider destination of the Republic of Karelia, the Kivach Nature Reserve offers a different focus. An overview excursion includes an outdoor walk to Kivach Waterfall, as well as a visit to the dendrological collection and the natural history museum. The 1,000 m circular trail passes through a wooded area on the banks of the Suna near the excursion area; the excursion is listed as taking 1 to 1.5 hours. The waterfall is on the Suna River in the central part of Karelia, and its height is 10.7 m. After the Rhine Falls, it is Europe’s second-largest lowland waterfall. For current conditions and to book the excursion, check with the operator.
The Kizhi Museum Reserve displays 89 monuments of traditional wooden architecture outdoors. These include old chapels and houses, mills, granaries, threshing barns and drying racks. Visitors can see inside the Church of the Intercession of the Mother of God and peasant houses; traditional peasant crafts are demonstrated in the houses. As a distinct architectural ensemble, the Kizhi Pogost is distinguished by the world’s only multi-domed wooden Church of the Transfiguration.
The World Heritage site of the Onega and White Sea Petroglyphs comprises 4,500 Neolithic rock carvings in the Republic of Karelia. The Onega petroglyphs include more than 1,200 figures in Pudozhsky District; most are located on the three central headlands of Pery Nos, Besov Nos and Kladovets. The White Sea petroglyphs mainly depict hunting and sailing scenes, along with equipment, and animal and human footprints. The Belomorsk petroglyphs lie in the lower reaches of the Vyg near its mouth at the White Sea, 6–8 km from Belomorsk, and comprise more than 2,000 different carvings.
The natural areas of the Republic of Karelia offer further, clearly distinct profiles. Kalevalsky National Park was established to protect a large area of natural forest. Vodlozersky National Park extends across the Republic of Karelia and Arkhangelsk Oblast and is one of the world’s largest wilderness reserves. Paanajärvi National Park lies in northwestern Karelia in Louhi District; its landscapes, diverse plant and animal life, pristine tranquillity and excellent fishing opportunities attract visitors. The Marble Canyon forms the basis of Ruskeala Mountain Park.
Discover more destinations: Ruskeala, Suojärvi, Salmi, Veshkelitsa, Derevyannoye, Lososinnoye, Uya, Kondopoga
For the wider travel overview: Republic of Karelia.
