Mikli can be explored through tangible historical traces. On the shore of Lake Kirkkolampi, on Linnaemäki Hill, the remains of the Karelian refuge and defensive wall site “Suur-Mikli” (Suur-Mikli) have been preserved. The site dates from the 9th to the 14th century. For a trip with an interest in cultural history, it offers a clearly defined point of connection: the place name, lakeside location and historical period come together here in one place. Mikli’s history also includes the Orthodox chapel and the village school.
The Chapel, School and Local History
An Orthodox chapel was built in Mikli in 1906 and remained there until 1946. After it was dismantled, it was rebuilt in Miinala, elsewhere in the region, for use as a club. Thus, two place names are part of the history of this building: Mikli, where the chapel stood until 1946, and Miinala, where it was rebuilt. The chapel is also connected with the history of the village school, where Agnia Okulowa worked as a teacher.
Agnia Okulowa was the wife of Sergij Okulow, the head of the Sortawala parish. He occasionally held services in the Orthodox chapel in Mikli. The accounts that have been handed down thus bring together school teaching, a personal connection and services in the chapel. The village school and the occasional services are also part of the chapel’s history.
A Route Ending in Mikli
A route also ends in the village: “Zateryannyy mir” (“Lost World”) leads to a bridge in Mikli. This clearly named endpoint offers a different connection to the place than its historical traces. If you include the route in your travel plans, check the latest information with the operator. The operator’s website offers a booking option; other service details may change.
In the Wider Destination of the Republic of Karelia
Beyond Mikli’s local history, the wider destination of the Republic of Karelia offers its own cultural and nature-related attractions. In the Kivach Nature Reserve, an introductory excursion includes an outdoor walk to Kivach Waterfall, as well as visits to the arboretum and the nature museum. A 1,000-metre circular trail also runs through a forested area along the Suna River, near the excursion zone. The excursion lasts 1 to 1.5 hours. The trail length and duration help you assess the scope of this regional visit.
Another cultural destination in the Republic of Karelia is the “Kizhi” Museum Reserve. Its open-air collection features 89 monuments of traditional wooden architecture, including old chapels and houses, mills, granaries, threshing barns and drying racks. Visitors can view the interior of the Church of the Intercession of the Mother of God and peasant houses; traditional peasant crafts are demonstrated inside the houses. Kizhi thus focuses both on open-air architecture and on opportunities to see inside buildings and learn about traditional crafts.
The petroglyphs also offer a distinct way to explore the history of the Republic of Karelia: the World Heritage Site of the Onega and White Sea Petroglyphs comprises 4,500 Neolithic rock carvings. The Onega petroglyphs include more than 1,200 figures in Pudozhsky District; most are located on the capes of Pery Nos, Besov Nos and Kladovets. The White Sea petroglyphs mainly depict hunting and sailing scenes, along with related equipment, as well as animal and human footprints. The regional cultural heritage thus varies both in its landscape settings and in the motifs depicted.
Discover more destinations: Kurkiyeki, Uzheselga, Petrozavodsk, Salmi, Pryazha, Belomorsk, Velikaya Guba, Yushkozero.
View the wider travel guide: Republic of Karelia.
