Once there was a mountain in this place. Now there is still clean air, blue sky during the day, at night there are starfields overhead, and under this splendor there is a canyon, the result of human intervention. We are talking about Marble Lake in Karelia. Although this is not the only body of water in Russia with this name.
General Description
The landscape of these places pleases the eye. The mind forgets all worries and seeks to explore every feature of the landscape. The canyon rises about 20 meters above the surface of clear water of amazing emerald color. The white walls of the canyon are dotted with cracks and are constantly changing, because there is high tectonic activity in this place. Stone rocks are overgrown with trees, everything around breathes with natural wild beauty. It's incredible that a man had a hand in creating this attraction.
There is such a marvelous lake near the border with Finland in Karelia, twenty kilometers from the village of Ruskeala, in the Sortavalsky district. FromPetersburg, about 300 km along the A-130 highway, the path by car can be overcome in 4-5 hours. The last section of the road is unpaved, winding and goes through the forest. To overcome this last distance is also an adventure, according to the reviews of tourists who have been there. But they don't regret it one bit.
History of the canyon
As already mentioned, Marble Lake in Karelia appeared on the site of a mountain. The mountain was called White because of its shining white marble cap, similar to snow. And the first data on a small settlement that appeared here date back to 1500. Then these places belonged to the Swedes, who began to extract marble. By 1632, the village had grown so much that a church was built.
After the conclusion of the Treaty of Nystadt, the area began to be populated by Russians. Development all this time was not very active. Marble was then mined for laying foundations and burning construction lime.
A breakthrough in production occurred after Catherine II came to power. Village pastor Samuil Alopeus invited specialists from the Academy of Arts to study samples of marble quarried on the Ruskolka River. Marble aroused admiration, and it was necessary for the implementation of royal projects in large quantities. Therefore, since 1768, the quarry has expanded, and mining has gone at an accelerated pace. Builders, architects, mining engineers came here, the settlement prospered. In the same year, the construction of St. Isaac's Cathedral began. The famous architect Montferrand personally came to Ruskeala toselection of marble for facing the floor and walls of the church.
Karelian marble
It is known that Karelian marble was used in the Kazan Cathedral for laying out floors. And also for facing the windows of the Kazan Cathedral and the Marble Palace, facing the facade of the Mikhailovsky Castle. Marble was used for the construction of the obelisk to the victories of Rumyantsev and the pedestal of the monument to Peter I, the Oryol Gates, the Chesme Column and the pedestal of the Chesme obelisk, for the columns of the Gatchina Palace, the window sills of the Hermitage were also made of it. The latest projects in which Ruskeala raw materials were used were the building of the Savings Bank in Helsinki and in St. Petersburg during the Soviet era, the Primorskaya and Ladozhskaya metro stations.
Such are the fruits of the amazing union of human labor and nature. We have many cultural monuments and a wonderful place on earth. But so far it has not been said how the quarry turned into Marble Lake. There are two versions. According to one, the Finns, leaving here, flooded the mines that served them as a refuge during the war. According to another version, groundwater was opened during development, and the elements did their job.
Entertainment at Marble Lake
Now the Ruskeala Mountain Park is located here, perfectly equipped for receiving guests. And Marble Lake is part of it. Here you can take a romantic walk along the shore or go to explore the grottoes on the water surface by boat.
Or, loudly reporting your impressions, bungee jump, or try to cross from coast to coastwith the Indian Bridge. Of course, the flooded adits are of interest to divers, who are frequent guests here. And in winter, a special entertainment is offered - a skating rink in a cave, illuminated by colorful lamps.
Marble Lakes of Russia
Marble Lake in Karelia is not the only body of water in Russia with this name. In the Krasnoyarsk Territory, in Ergaki, not far from the waterfall of the same name, there is a second such lake. The third Marble Lake can be seen only once a year, because developments are underway there. This one falls on an open day.
It is located in the Astrakhan region, close to Lake Baskunchak. The fourth is located in the Crimea, a few kilometers from Simferopol. In Western Siberia, the fifth Marble Lake is located. Novosibirsk is next to it. The last two will be discussed in more detail below.
Marble Lake in Novosibirsk
In the Ordynsky district, there is the village of Nizhnekamenka, next to it, a reservoir was also created by human hands. Officially, it is called Abrashinsky Lake. This Marble Lake has a twelve-meter depth. Novosibirsk has some metro stations that are paved with marble from this quarry.
Here is a good combination of fresh air, Karakan pine forest and water suitable for swimming. By the way, the lake is rich in roach, perch, trout, ide, which attracts fishermen here. On the shore, you can rent a house or a camp site at affordable prices, so you can relax here with the whole family.
Marble Lake in Crimea
He was awardedAnother name is Martian. The reason for this was the obvious traces of human activity, rare poplars on the whitish, lime-soaked banks, bordering the azure water.
Vacationers come to swim, admire the fantastic view that Marble Lake has. The photo of this object, although of unnatural origin, is mesmerizing.
Its official name is Alma Quarry. Near the village of Skalisty near Simferopol, this Marble Lake is located. Crimea is a peninsula with many attractions.
All Marble lakes are beautiful in their own way. But not everyone has a name associated with the extraction of marble.
