Discover Kondopozhsky District: Kivach and Marcial Waters

Kondopozhsky District can be explored through two very different places: the spa resort of Marcial Waters, founded in 1719, and Kivach Nature Reserve, with its waterfall, nature museum and arboretum. Mineral springs and protected nature shape different sides of this destination. When looking for a holiday rental, you can consider whether the history of the spa resort or visits to the waterfall and the reserve’s facilities are more important to your trip.

Marcial Waters and its history

Marcial Waters was founded as a spa resort in 1719, based on iron-rich mineral springs; it was established under Peter I. The resort is in Kondopozhsky District, 54 km north of Petrozavodsk. Its precisely dated founding and connection to Peter I give the place a specific historical focus. For travellers interested in the early history of spa resorts, this offers a distinct way to explore the district, alongside nature experiences at Kivach.

Kivach: waterfall and nature reserve

Kivach Nature Reserve was established in 1931 around the waterfall of the same name and is located in Kondopozhsky District. In the wider context of the Republic of Karelia, the waterfall is on the Suna River in the central part of the republic; it has a drop of 10.7 m. It is considered Europe’s second-largest lowland waterfall, after the Rhine Falls.

At the nature reserve’s central estate, visitors can drive their own vehicles to a designated car park. The sights include Kivach Waterfall, the reserve’s nature museum and arboretum. In the Republic of Karelia, an introductory excursion in the nature reserve includes an outdoor walk to the waterfall and a visit to the dendrological collection and nature museum. A 1,000 m circular trail runs through a wooded area on the banks of the Suna near the excursion zone; the excursion lasts 1 to 1.5 hours. Check the visitor conditions before travelling; confirm the excursion conditions and booking with the operator.

Architecture and rock art in the Republic of Karelia

Beyond the district, the Republic of Karelia offers other cultural attractions. The Kizhi Museum Reserve displays 89 monuments of traditional wooden architecture in the open air, including old chapels and houses, mills, granaries, threshing barns and drying racks. Visitors can explore the interiors of the Church of the Intercession of the Mother of God and peasant houses; traditional peasant crafts are demonstrated in the houses. The Kizhi Pogost is an architectural ensemble featuring the world’s only multi-domed wooden Church of the Transfiguration.

The Onega and White Sea petroglyphs offer another way to explore the region’s heritage. This World Heritage site comprises 4,500 Neolithic rock carvings. The Onega petroglyphs include more than 1,200 figures in Pudozhsky District; most are found on the three headlands of Pery Nos, Besov Nos and Kladovets. The White Sea petroglyphs mainly depict hunting and sailing scenes, along with related equipment, as well as animal and human footprints. Thus, traditional wooden architecture and prehistoric rock art stand side by side as distinct cultural highlights of the Republic of Karelia.

When choosing a destination, you can distinguish between these interests: Marcial Waters is associated with the history of the spa resort, while Kivach offers a waterfall, nature museum and arboretum. Wooden architecture and petroglyphs broaden the picture of the Republic of Karelia. The holiday rental that suits your plans will therefore also depend on whether you want to focus on local sights in the district or on the republic’s wider cultural attractions.

Discover more destinations

Prionezhsky District, Pitkyaranta District, Pudozhsky District, Olonetsky District, Prionezhsky District, Segezha District, Loukhsky District, Pryazhinsky District

For the overview of the wider destination: Republic of Karelia.