Lekhta: Memorial and History

The memorial at the mass grave gives Lekhta a specific historical focus: a mourning, kneeling woman, two lowered flags and a helmet are part of its design. The sculptural group with stele was erected in 1962. Together with the grave’s distinctive shape, these elements bring together personal grief and remembrance of those buried there.

The Mass Grave and the 32nd Separate Ski Brigade

Most of those buried in the mass grave were soldiers and officers of the 32nd Separate Ski Brigade. The brigade was stationed in Lekhta from 1942 to 1944. These years refer to its stationing; the memorial itself was erected in 1962. This distinction clarifies the chronology: the brigade’s history and the design of the memorial site are connected, but they are not the same thing.

The structure also gives the memorial its distinctive character. The mass grave is designed as a platform and enclosed by parapets of polished gabbro-diabase. A helmet is set on the stele. The kneeling woman, the lowered flags and the dark, polished stone are distinct details of a single memorial site. Anyone interested in the history of Lekhta will therefore find both a connection to the soldiers stationed in the area and a striking design for the mass grave.

Nature Experiences in the Republic of Karelia

Beyond the history of Lekhta, the Republic of Karelia offers other, distinct topics to consider when planning a trip. At the Kivach Nature Reserve, an introductory excursion combines an outdoor walk to the waterfall with a visit to the dendrological collection and the natural history museum. The waterfall is on the Suna River in central Karelia; its drop is 10.7 metres. It is Europe’s second-largest lowland waterfall after the Rhine Falls.

Near the excursion area, a 1,000-metre circular trail runs through a wooded area along the banks of the Suna. An excursion along this trail takes 1 to 1.5 hours. The trail and the introductory excursion offer different ways to explore the area: the trail has a specific length, while the excursion also includes the waterfall and the nature reserve’s collections. Check the conditions and booking arrangements with the operator in advance.

Other nature-related destinations have their own particular focus. Kalevalsky National Park was created to protect extensive areas of natural forest. Vodlozersky National Park spans the Republic of Karelia and Arkhangelsk Oblast and is one of the largest wilderness reserves in the world. Paanajärvi National Park is in the Louhi District in northwestern Karelia. Its landscapes, diverse plant and animal life, unspoilt tranquillity and plentiful fishing opportunities appeal to travellers with a range of interests in nature and scenery.

Wooden Architecture and Rock Carvings

Those who want to focus on culture rather than forests and waterfalls will also find a wide variety of subjects in the Republic of Karelia. The Kizhi Open-Air Museum displays 89 monuments of traditional wooden architecture, including old chapels and houses, mills, granaries, threshing barns and drying racks. Visitors can view the interior of the Church of the Intercession of the Mother of God and peasant houses; traditional rural crafts are demonstrated in the houses. The Kizhi Pogost is an architectural ensemble that includes the world’s only multi-domed wooden Church of the Transfiguration.

The Onega and White Sea petroglyphs offer a different glimpse into the past: the World Heritage Site comprises 4,500 Neolithic rock carvings. The Onega petroglyphs include more than 1,200 figures in the Pudozh District; most are located on the capes of Pery Nos, Besov Nos and Kladovets. The White Sea petroglyphs mainly depict hunting and sailing scenes with related equipment, as well as animal and human footprints. Near Belomorsk, more rock carvings lie in the lower reaches of the Vyg, close to its mouth at the White Sea: more than 2,000 different images, 6 to 8 kilometres from Belomorsk. The groups therefore differ both in location and in subject matter.

When looking for a holiday apartment, it helps to decide on your preferred focus first: here, Lekhta is associated with the mass grave and its memorial site; the Republic of Karelia also offers nature and cultural attractions in other locations. Tailor your search to the part of the trip you want to focus on.

For the broader travel overview: Belomorskiy District.