Sortavala District

Historical sites in Sortavala District

Historical Sites and Memorials

This collection spans the diverse history of the Sortavala region and Valaam Archipelago. It features the ancient Paaso hillfort, remnants of Finnish military infrastructure like coastal batteries and water towers, and the solemn Igumen Cemetery of Valaam Monastery. Memorials throughout the area commemorate the 168th Rifle Division and the centuries-old tradition of Karelian rune singing. The list also includes the ruins of monastic hermitages and a museum dedicated to the spiritual and cultural heritage of Valaam.

Historical Sites and Memorials — Map

A

The Runes' Singer

A 1935 bronze statue by sculptor Alpo Sailo dedicated to the Karelian rune-singing tradition. It was modeled after the famous bard Petri Shemeikka.

B

Gorodise Paaso

An archaeological site featuring the remains of an ancient Karelian hillfort dating back to the 12th and 13th centuries, situated on a high cliff overlooking the forest.

C

Abbot Damaskin

The burial site of Abbot Damaskin, who led Valaam Monastery for 42 years during its 19th-century architectural peak.

D

Abbot Vitaly

Historical tomb of Abbot Vitaly, located within the Igumen Cemetery on Valaam Island.

E

Abbot Ionafan II

The final resting place of Abbot Ionafan II, situated among the historic graves of the monastery's superiors.

F

Schema-monk Nicholas

The tomb of Schema-monk Nicholas, an ascetic monk known for his spiritual life at the Valaam Monastery.

G

Abbot Pavlin

A memorial tomb dedicated to Abbot Pavlin at the Valaam monastic cemetery.

H

Abbot Pafnuty

The grave of Abbot Pafnuty, one of the historical leaders of the Valaam spiritual community.

I

Museum of Valaam

A museum dedicated to the history and restoration of the Valaam Monastery, featuring religious artifacts and archival documents.

J

Finnish Coastal Battery

Concrete ruins of a Finnish coastal defense position, part of the Ladoga fortification line built before World War II.

K

Staryj voennyj gospital

The remains of a former military hospital building in Sortavala, reflecting the town's early 20th-century architecture.

L

Finskaa vodonapornaa basna

A historical Finnish-built brick water tower that remains a prominent industrial landmark in Sortavala.

M

Zosima and Savvaty Chapel

The ruins of a wooden chapel dedicated to Saints Zosima and Savvaty, the founders of the Solovetsky Monastery.

N

Pustynka shimonaha Serafima

The site of a former secluded monastic cell used by the ascetic Schema-monk Serafim.

O

Pustynka shimonaha Nikolaa

Ruined remains of a hermitage where Schema-monk Nicholas lived in isolation on Valaam.

P

Nedostroennaa mogila

An unfinished historical grave site located near the eastern monastic settlements of Valaam.

Q

168-j Strelkovoj Divizii

A monument dedicated to the soldiers of the Soviet 168th Rifle Division who fought in the Ladoga Karelia region during World War II.

R

Pogibsim bojcam 166 strelkovoj divizii

A memorial honoring the fallen soldiers of the 166th Rifle Division.

S

Ulmosenjokilinjan konekiväärikorsut Suistamo

Remnants of Finnish machine gun bunkers from the Ulmosenjoki defensive line.

T

Memorial voinam-invalidam i 168 strelkovoj divizii

A war memorial on Valaam dedicated to the 168th Rifle Division and the disabled veterans who lived on the island after 1950.

U

Sankarimuistomerkki

A Finnish hero's memorial commemorating soldiers fallen in local conflicts.

Other Lists

Сортавальский район's Absolute Essentials Spiritual Heritage Sites Karelia's Natural Wonders