Valaam Cruises
More and more visitors are coming back to ST-Petersburg. Many of them want to rediscover the Hermitage Museum treasures; while some prefer to enjoy the fabulous Peterhoff fountains again. Can we offer anything new to see?
Valaam cruises are very popular with both local and foreign tourists. The routes vary and depend on a number of stops, the shortest cruise sails for 2 nights with a day stop on the island of Valaam.
Valaam is the largest island of the archipelago in Ladoga Lake. The total area of 50 islands is 36 square kilometers.
One of the Valaam legends has it that a long time ago , the islands used to be a huge site of pagan sacrifices. ST Andrew, the first of Christ’s disciples went preaching around Slavic lands. After having visited Novgorod, he left for Valaam where he destroyed pagan altars and put up a stone cross. ST Andrew predicted the islands a great future.
The History of the Monastery of Transfiguration of the Saviour situated on the island is centuries old. Mostly likely it was established soon after the adoption of Christianity in Russia in X century. The monastery lived a very turbulent life ever since. Having been located on the border of Novgorod land and Sweden, it was ravaged by Swedish troops several times in ancient times. Numerous fires destroyed the monastery completely to be rebuilt from ashes. But the hardest times were still to come. The old Valaam was destined for many years of oblivion and decay during Soviet times. What was created over many centuries was destroyed in a few decades. Only after a ship carrying 6 monks anchored in the harbor in 1989, did life in the monastery life gradually revive. Currently there are almost 200 residents in the Monastery.
More information on: www.valaam.ru
