Russia is notable for its picturesque, historically interesting, and pleasant places for recreation and tourist exploration. Most foreigners, most likely, know the word "Siberia" that is terrible for them; some have even heard about the exotic "Baikal", but this is most often the only way foreign guests get acquainted with Russian geography. Meanwhile, in the widest expanses of the country, there are many extremely curious and noteworthy places, among which (and one might say - in the forefront) the Kivach waterfall.
Historical past
The most mentioned among the famous people who glorified this place is the eminent writer and politician of the past Gavrila Derzhavin, who served for a year as the governor of this part of Karelia, which at that time was called the Olonets province. The Kivach waterfall struck his imagination: the poet dedicated an ode to him and verycontributed to the popularization of this place.
The most eminent visitor was the Russian Tsar Alexander II, thanks to whom the region was enriched by the first road instead of the usual "directions", a bridge over the river that feeds the Kivach waterfall, as well as a semblance of a hotel erected for the emperor's arrival. I must say that the spectacle amazed the king no less than the poet, because in those days it was not only “royally” to get to these places, but it also took a lot of time - two days on a good troika, simpler transport - up to five. So the Kivach waterfall was visited by a maximum of two hundred people a year.
Where does the name come from?
For the Russian ear, the name of the river phenomenon of nature really sounds a bit strange. However, not for the area where the Kivach waterfall is located: do not forget that this is Karelia. His name has as many as three theories of origin. And even in Russian there are corresponding roots: the waters, crashing against the rocks of the coast, “nod” to them - this is how the name of the waterfall was formed.
Of course, Karelian origin is more popular. It comes from the word kivas, meaning "snowy mountain". Even in summer, huge streams of foam and spray resemble the tops of mountain peaks, while in winter the similarity is even stronger.
Third place is occupied by the Finnish point of view: this people believe that the Kivach waterfall got its name from the root of the word kiivas - mighty, impetuous, powerful, fast. And this version of the origin of the name also has the right to exist, because the water flows are quite consistent with this description.
Reasons for Kivach's "weight loss"
During the time of the Russian Empire, the flow of water was so strong that it was not possible to stay in the royal gazebo, built nearby, for a long time: after a few minutes, a person was wet from head to toe from water splashes. And it was quite difficult to conduct business conversations in the pavilion: the Kivach waterfall on the Russian Plain drowned out even a loud cry.
Now there is no such violence of the elements. The process of “withering” of one of the largest natural attractions in Russia began at the beginning of the last century: in 1911, engineers became interested in the energy potential of the river, in 1916 a power plant was laid, in 1929 a trial stage was launched (meaning the Kondopoga hydroelectric power station), and in 1954 Paleozerskaya joined her. Naturally, the flow of water passing through the Kivach waterfall has significantly decreased, and now you can no longer see its former splendor.
Myths with legends
All outstanding objects are necessarily accompanied by folk tales explaining their unusualness and beauty. The main legend about the Kivach waterfall is the story of its appearance. Two nearby rivers with the names Sunna and Shuya were sisters, and, according to the myth, they always flowed side by side, unable to part. Further variations of the tale diverge: according to one version, Sunna simply fell asleep, according to another, she gave way to her sister (but then she also fell into a dream). And when she woke up, she found that Shuya had already climbed quite far without her. Excited, the sister river rushedcatch up with the fugitive, destroying everything in its path. Where the stubborn mountain was broken, the Kivach waterfall formed.
Geography and geology
Even resigned to the depletion of this water resource associated with the construction of power plants in the first half of the 20th century, the observant person will note that the depletion continues. If ten years ago the Kivach waterfall was the second in a series of European lowland waterfalls - only the Rhine waterfall was ahead of it - now it has moved to third place, giving way to the Mamanya waterfall (aka Big Janiskengas in the Murmansk region). That is, the water flow continues to decrease.
However, Kivach is still the pearl of Karelia. Its height reaches almost 11 meters, and the whirlpool at the base of the fall is striking in its size. The bas alt rocks surrounding the waterfall, as well as centuries ago, amaze the imagination. Worthy of attention is the reserve of the same name, in the center of which is located Kivach. And the arboretum located in the same places is the only place where you can see the Karelian birch.
Routes and roads
Suppose you decide to visit one of the most fabulous tourist places - Kivach waterfall. How to get to it depends on what you are traveling on. The easiest route to describe and the most used route is to get to Petrozavodsk, and at the bus station take a regular (or specially allocated for travelers) bus. It will take an hour and a half to get there.
If you are driving your own car, from the same Petrozavodsk along the M-18 highway, move todirection of Murmansk to Shuiskaya. There you make a right turn, drive off onto the R-15 highway, and follow it through Kondopog to the village of Sopokha. Travel to the desired waterfall is still allowed and is possible only on the road between this village and the village of Kivach.
Please note that since the waterfall has been part of the reserve since 1931, you can get to it only by paying the entrance fee. If you decide to do without a tour, you will have to pay 40 rubles, if you want to listen to something interesting and see the waterfall from the most attractive point, you will have to fork out a large amount and wait until a group of at least five people is gathered.
Some visitors grumble and complain, but thanks to the paid entrance, the reserve staff take good care of the territory, so you will not see bottles-garbage-butts in this wonderful area. And in order to communicate with nature without these annoying companions of civilization, you can pay a little extra.
