Add a review about Ruskeal Marble Canyon

The Ruskeal marble canyon is part of the Ruskeala mountain park - a real masterpiece of a symbiosis of man and nature. At the end of the 18th century, by order of Catherine, marble mining was opened here to decorate the St. Petersburg under construction (decoration of the Mikhailovsky Castle, the Marble Palace, the Hermitage, the St. Isaac's Cathedral). By the middle of the 19th century, the quarry virtually ceased to function and eventually filled with natural waters (according to another version of the quarry it was flooded by Finns).

The length of the quarry is about 450 m, the width is from 60 to 100 m. The walls are covered with underground tunnels and drifts, which are connected by vertical shafts. The distance from the highest point of the canyon to its bottom is more than 50 meters, and the transparency of the water reaches 18 meters!

Along the perimeter, the canyon can be viewed along a pedestrian path, dotted with marble chips, on which there are observation platforms and descent into the underground tunnel.
How many shades of emerald can you imagine? This question involuntarily arises when you walk along the edge of the Ruskeial canyon and see the extraordinary beauty of the lake, shimmering with all sorts of shades and changing the color with each step, which further increases the sense of unreality of what is happening.

To admire the unusual drawings left by a brush of nature on the marble walls of the canyon, it is worth to ride on the water in a boat rented immediately (life jackets are included in the rental price). Half a meter above the water you can see the openings of underground tunnels and grottoes. If desired, you can swim in the grotto directly on the boat or order an immersion and inspect the bottom with a professional diver.

Report on Ruskeala

Practical information

Ruskeala Mountain Park is located 30 km from the town of Sortavala towards the Finnish border. You can buy a tour at the tour desk in Sortavala, Petrozavodsk, St. Petersburg or by car - there are signs on the road, parking is available in the park.

The cost of excursions is 250-350 rubles. per person. Self visit - 150 rubles. If you decide to spend the night in Ruskeale, the place on the recreation center will cost 1200-1500 rubles. (Prices are for September 2013)

Address: Ruskeala, Republic of Karelia

Ruskeal marble canyon at night, Republic of Karelia Ruskealsky Marble Canyon
Ruskealsky marble canyon at night
Ruskealsky Marble Canyon, Republic of Karelia Ruskealsky Marble Canyon
Ruskealsky Marble Canyon