Petrozavodsk and Kizhi [antikvár]

AN INVITATION TO A JOURNEY Petrozavodsk is the capital of the Karelian Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic (KASSR), which is part of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic (RSFSR). Karelia is situated in the northwestern part of the country-a region of lakes, rivers and forests famed for its natural beauty. The talented craftsmen of Karelia adorned their ancient land with remarkable monuments of wooden architecture and have sung it praises in legends and epic songs known as runes. During Soviet times, the old has been transformed and many new cities and villages have been built. Petrozavodsk was founded at the very beginning of the 18th century, as was Leningrád. The verdant city is spread out along the banks of Laké Onega. It is the administrative, economic, cultural and scientific centre of the republic, one of the largest cities of the northwestern part of the USSR. Many prominent figures came from Petrozavodsk, and scores of famous travellers, scientists and writers have visited the city. This is what Konstantin Paustovsky, the famous Soviet prose writer, said about Karelia, a place he visited more than half a century ago: "I saw countless lakes with pure water the colour of bright metál, breathed in the fragrance of bark that has saturated all of Karelia, listened to an old woman's legends from the region beyond Laké Onega (Zaonezhye), whose songs are born of the northern night and the loneliness of women, saw our wooden Florence-churches and monasteries-sailed on Laké Onega, and am still not able to get over the impression that this place is enchanted and has remained for us from those days when the aboriginal silence had not yet been broken by the thunder of gunpowder exploding. Not for a minute did I lose the sensation of continuous perception of that country immersed in the diffused northern lights." This book will acquaint visitors to Karelia with the natural, historical and art treasures of the territory. The first encounter with the sights of Karelia awaits you at Petrozavodsk. We suggest two walking tours through the city for your consideration. The routes have been designed to include descriptions of those sites of interest of the capital of Karelia that can best be viewed on foot. In addition, the materíals of introductory sections will supply information to enable visitors to appreciate certain sites and objects fully. The chapters that follow are devoted to a journey from Petrozavodsk to its suburbs and to the Island of Kizhi. A word should be said about the chapter entitled "The Open-Air Museum on the Island of Kizhi". It is intended for those who wish to view the unique specimens of northern wooden church architecture collected on the island preserve in more detail. The Transfiguration Cathedral situated on the island is one of the finest examples of Russian wooden architecture and is famous worldwide. The information section of this guidebook is intended to assist the tourist in his visit to the city. Welcome to Karelia!