Peter is not only the northern capital of the Federation, but also the center of the region, in which important cities from the point of view of culture and history are located. One of these centers is Lodeynoye Pole. It is located 244 km from St. Petersburg, if you move in the North-East direction.
History of creation and development
The construction of Lodeynoye Pole began as early as 1702 by decree of Emperor Peter I. It was he who at one time drew attention to the dense pine forests on the banks of the Svir River and decided on the need to create a shipyard on the left elevated bank. She became known under the name Olonetskaya. It was from her that the imperial warships were the first to descend into the B altic Sea. The Olonets shipyard was abolished only in 1830.
During its existence in 1785, the laying of a county town called Lodeynoye Pole began. In the second part of the 19th century, several woodworking enterprises were created there, at that time it became the center of the timber trade in the Svir. But in the twentieth century, the Nizhnesvirskaya hydroelectric power station was built there, which began to be actively operated in 1933.
ExceptIn addition, the woodworking industry developed well in Lodeynoye Pole, building materials plants, food and pottery industries were built. But at present, the pace of industrial development has decreased significantly, many local residents are leaving to work in more prosperous areas.
Military glory
Despite the fact that Lodeynoye Pole is a sparsely populated town (about 20 thousand inhabitants can be counted in it), it managed to become famous during World War II. It was on the Svir with the active participation of local residents that an irresistible line of defense for the Finns was created. The enemy armies were located on opposite sides of the river and held out for almost three years. And only at the beginning of the summer of 1944, the Svir-Petrozavodsk operation was carried out, which forced the Finns to retreat. Thanks to the cunning of the military and powerful artillery preparation, the Soviet military crossed the river a little below Lodeinoye Pole and occupied the front line on which the Finns were holding.
Attractions
It is worth noting that Lodeynoye Pole is not too spoiled by the attention of tourists. But wanderers who have come to the city even for a short time do not regret their decision. Of course, it is practically no different from the mass of similar small northern towns, but it has a richer history, so it is interesting.
Basically, this place is used either as a temporary transshipment point, or simply pass by on the railway laid in the early twentieth century. By the way, many believe that it is thanks toits creation, Lodeynoye Pole still exists. Trains, following their routes, pass along the entire city. The railway is located in such a way that they are forced to bypass it in order to get to a large bridge spanning the Svir.
Travelers who came to this regional center can look at the stele, installed in 1832 on the site of the house of Peter I. Also in the city there is a monument erected in honor of the soldiers who died during the Great Patriotic War. So that the ancestors would not forget about this terrible period, the Svir Victory memorial park remained in Lodeynoye Pole. In it, everyone can see real military dugouts, trenches, dugouts and lay flowers at the monument, designed to glorify the heroes.
The monument erected in honor of the 300th anniversary of the city may also be of interest to many guests who came to Lodeynoye Pole. St. Petersburg, by the way, is the same age as this regional center. But, despite the same age, it is difficult to find something in common between them.
Important story
In the local museum of local lore you can learn about the life of prisoners in the SvirLAG forced labor camp. It was a special place, it was considered one of the most terrible Soviet concentration camps. SvirLAG existed for six years, during which time 70,000 political prisoners passed through it. In these northern conditions, the captives, among whom there were quite a few religious people, were forced to walk half-naked. Nutrition was set to the limit of clinical hunger.
It was here that the now famous holy martyrs wereArchbishops of Volokolamsk Theodore and Belyaev Augustine, Obolenskaya Kira - Princess-Great Martyr, nun Veronica, priest Sergei Mechev, philosopher Losov Alexei, who was in secret monastic vows.
But such a terrible story did not prevent the development of religion on the Lodeynopil land. In 1989, the first Orthodox community began to operate, at that time the church became a house donated for these purposes by a believing woman Varvara.
Religious pilgrimage
In addition to the first small church, there is a chapel of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in Lodeynoye Pole. It is very interesting from an architectural point of view; according to the project, it resembles the silhouette of a ship and, accordingly, the coat of arms of the city - a boat from the time of Peter the Great. In the 90s, the church of the Apostles Paul and Peter was erected. It is located not far from the place where the Peter and Paul Cathedral was built in 1843, which, unfortunately, was destroyed under Soviet rule. Only one icon of the Archangel Michael survived from it. By the way, in the church of Peter and Paul there is an image of Panteleimon the Healer, on the back of which you can see the inscription that he was blessed on Mount Athos back in 1910.
But often tourists pass the city, not even interested in its beauties and history, on their way to the more famous Alexander Svir Monastery. Also, believers often go to the women's Intercession-Tervenic and Vvedeno-Oyatsk monasteries. All pilgrims talk about the special atmosphere of these places, about the peculiar religious vibes that emanate in the monasteries. Moreover, this is not achievedthanks to external gloss and pathos, which, in principle, is not there, but with the help of the religious spirit and deep faith of the inhabitants.
Natural Beauty
But the area near Lodeynoye Pole is interesting not only for believers. One of the main attractions of the region is the Nizhne-Svirsky Reserve, whose area is 42,000 hectares. In the North-West of Russia, this is considered one of the most attractive places.
Wide areas are covered with untouched forests, swamps, rivers and numerous lakes. The nature in this area is unique: it combines B altic landscapes and exotic taiga. In addition, the reserve has an ornithological station. But the real peak of tourism begins in the mushroom season. Every year there are more and more visitors. And this is not in vain, because Prisvirye is deservedly considered the most mushroom region of the Leningrad region.
Those who came to Lodeynoye Pole should also visit the healing spring, which was once called alive. It was believed that its water cures diseases and even resurrects. Experts have found that the combination of phytochemicals in this source is superior in quality to all well-known brands of both popular Caucasian and European waters.
Daily life and leisure
If you decide to go to a nature reserve or a monastery and want to stop by this district center on the way, then you will be interested in Lodeynoye Pole hotels. Given the fact that this town is small, tourists have almost no choice. They can settle either in the Green Hill complex,or at the Svir Hotel.
Of course, there are not many places of entertainment in the center, but those who wish can visit the local drama theater, on the basis of which a cinema hall was also opened, a local history museum, go to the library of 1905.
Don't take food with you if you are going to Lodeynoye Pole. Shops in the city are working properly, they do not differ from their counterparts in other regional centers of the Russian hinterland.
Reviews of tourists
Of course, inspired by the descriptions of guidebooks, many seek to see all the sights of the city. But most tourists remain disappointed. Indeed, at present, according to eyewitnesses, many monuments are being destroyed, the city has neither the desire nor the means to maintain cultural sites in a decent condition. But reviews of religious sites, including monasteries located in the area, are excellent. Tourists do not get tired of talking about the special atmosphere of these places. Travelers also note the unsurpassed natural beauties, because it was not in vain that the Nizhne-Svirsky Reserve was founded in this area.
Those who had to get to these places by train never tire of remembering the big railway bridge that spans the Svir River. It is also pleasant for tourists to remember the renovated station, which welcomes all visitors with bright colors.
How to get there
At the stage of travel planning, many are interested in how best to get into the city. Many, of course, prefer to travel by train. During a train rideyou can enjoy all the beauties of the northern region.
But others choose the highway St. Petersburg - Lodeynoye Pole. The bus runs between these cities regularly. Several main routes pass through the regional center, more than 20 flights pass through the local bus station in transit every day. But travelers should prepare in advance for a long trip - it will take 139 km to drive along the highway from St. Petersburg to Lodeynoye Pole.
