Valaam

Valaam

Valaam, also known historically by the Finnish name Valamo, is an archipelago in the northern portion of Lake Ladoga, lying within the Republic of Karelia, Russian Federation. The total area of its more than 50 islands is 36 km². The largest island is also called Valaam. It is best known as the site of the Valaam Monastery and for its natural beauty.In the 12th century, the islands were a part of the Novgorod Republic. In the 17th century, they were captured by Sweden during the Time of Troubles, but Russia reconquered them less than a century later. When the Grand Duchy of Finland was set up in the early 19th century as an autonomous part of the Russian Empire, Alexander I of Russia made Valaam a part of Finland. In 1917, Valaam became a part of newly independent Finland but were acquired by the USSR after the Winter War and Continuation War.

The name of the island is from the Finno-Ugric word "валамо" (valamo), which means the high, mountain, ground.The climate and natural history of the island are unique because of its position on Lake Ladoga. Spring begins at the end of March and a typical summer on Valaam consists of 30-35 sunny days, which is more than on the mainland. The average temperature in July is 17 °C. The winter and snow arrives in early December. In the middle of February the ice road to the nearest city of Sortavala (42км)is traversable. The average temperature of February is minus 8 °C.

More than 480 species of the plants grow on the island many of which have been cultivated by monks. The island is covered by coniferous woods about 65 % of which are pine.The island was visited repeatedly by emperors Alexander I and Alexander II, other members of the imperial family. Other famous visitors include Tchaikovsky and Mendeleyev.

The island is permanently inhabited by monks and families. There is a kindergarten, an arts and sports venue, a school and a medical center.

The community on Valaam at the moment has no official administrative status. The lay inhabitants,(Валаамцы - Valaamtsy), want their settlement to receive the official status of a rural settlement that will enable them to participate in municipal elections. However the leaders of the monastery are opposed to this.

External links

*http://www.valaam.karelia.ru/en/valaam/valaam2.htm
*http://nordictravel.ru/page/valaam.html


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужна курсовая?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Valaam — Vegetación típica del archipiélago. Valaam, también conocido históricamente por el nombre finlandés Valamo, es un archipiélago en la parte norte del lago Ladoga, situado en la República de Karelia, Rusia. El área total de sus más de 50 islas es… …   Wikipedia Español

  • Valaam — 61°22′27″N 30°57′39″E / 61.37417, 30.96083 …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Valaam Monastery — The Valaam Monastery, or Valamo Monastery is a stauropegic Orthodox monastery in Russian Karelia, located on Valaam, the largest island in Lake Ladoga, the largest lake in Europe.It is not clear when the monastery was founded. As the cloister is… …   Wikipedia

  • Valaam — Blick auf das Ufer einer der Inseln Walaam (russisch Валаам, finnisch Valamo) ist der Name einer Inselgruppe im nordöstlichen Teil des Ladogasees in Karelien, Russische Föderation, sowie der Name der Hauptinsel des …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Ile Valaam — Valaam 61°22′27″N 30°57′39″E / 61.37417, 30.96083 …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Île Valaam — Valaam 61°22′27″N 30°57′39″E / 61.37417, 30.96083 …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Îles Valaam — Valaam 61°22′27″N 30°57′39″E / 61.37417, 30.96083 …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Monastère de Valaam — Le monastère de Valaam en 1901 Le monastère de Valaam en 1992 …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Herman y Sergio de Valaam — Icono moderno (siglo XX) de los Santos Sergio y Herman de Valaam, con el Monasterio de Nuevo Valamo al fondo. En la parte superior, en una mandorla, aparece la Transfiguración de Jesús, festividad del monasterio. Herman de Valaam y Sergio de… …   Wikipedia Español

  • Herman of Valaam — a saint of the Russian Orthodox Church. Herman of Valaam together with Sergius of Valaam are considered to be the founders of the Valaam Monastery. [ [http://www.valaam.ru/en/history/ Valaam Monastery, Cloister history] ] The exact time of the… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”