Sights of Kemi, Karelia: description, interesting places and reviews

Kemi has been attracting tourists for a long time with its rich history. Ancient seaside town belongs to the number of regional centers of the Republic of Karelia. This mysterious settlement is located, which every fan of traditional northern architecture seeks, on the river Kem. So, what can you see when you are in this city, represented mainly by wooden buildings?

Sights of Kemi: Assumption Cathedral

The Assumption Cathedral is the main architectural value located on the territory of the city. It is impossible not to mention this building, dating back to 1714, listing the most striking landmarks of Kemi. The temple, created from wood, is interesting already in that at its erection iron nails were not used.

Particular attention should be paid to the iconostasis of the church, which is illuminated thanks to windows specially designed under the ceiling. It is necessary to visit the temple on sunny days, when the iconostasis seems "glowing". Once on the territory of the cathedral were old icons related to the Novgorod school of writing. However, a few years ago they were transferred to the Russian Museum for restoration purposes.

The Pomorie Museum

Attractions Kemi - this is also a museum "Pomorie", which must certainly look tourists who are in the center of the village. The museum does not belong to the category of ancient, takes visitors since 1980. However, a large number of historical values have already been collected on its territory, the total number of which exceeds 6,000. Museum exhibits are of great interest to visitors of the city who wish to get acquainted with the life and culture of its indigenous inhabitants.

Which exhibition halls are worth visiting in the first place? For example, interesting information about the history of the emergence and development of Kemi to visitors is provided by the hall "This city was discovered by me". In the hall "Orthodox shrines", as the name suggests, collections are collected dedicated to church relics. The exhibits make it possible to learn many little-known facts about the history of the Old Believer churches. Finally, "The sea is our field" is a hall that celebrates classes that have long been given to the Pomors. Of course, we are talking about fishing and shipbuilding.

Krivoporozhskaya HPP

Enumerating the attractions of Kemi, it is impossible to ignore Krivoprozhskaya HPP, located in the nearby village. This place is definitely worth a visit in order to admire the dimensions and grandeur of the building. Artificial waterfall provides a cumbersome concrete wall, preventing the flow of the river. It is known that the length of the dam is more than thirty meters.

The reservoir must certainly be honored with visits and fans of fishing, as there are specially designated for this occupation classes. Also, the village of Krivoy Porog is famous for its mushroom sites, so mushroom pickers flock here from the end of summer and until the last month of autumn.

Islands of the Kuzov Archipelago

Attractions Kemi (Karelia) is also the Russian and German islands, located about 25 km from the village. Getting to them is easier on a rented boat. Historians believe that the amazing islands keep an unbreakable connection with the ancient culture of the Lapps. Proof of this are archaeologists discovered artifacts. Finds indicate that once the German and Russian islands were used as parking lots by representatives of the ancient people who inhabited this territory over 2,5 thousand years ago.

These sights of the city of Kem are worth a visit already for the sake of admiring the view of the surface of the White Sea, which opens from the tops of the islands. The earth is about 140 meters above the water surface. On the territory of the German island, tourists can see about two hundred ancient idols, the statues of which are made of stone. An amazing legend is associated with them, explaining the name of the island, which can be heard from the local population.

The Russian island also carries a lot of secrets. Here you can see traces of life of a mysterious people, preserved sanctuaries. In addition, travelers are waiting for entertaining facts related to the history of northern hunting.

Place of film shooting

What other attractions can guests see in Kem? What to see, being in these mysterious places? Those who liked the film "Island", shot by Lungin, certainly must visit the territory of the village of Rabocheostrovsk, which is located 26 km from the city. Here, specially for the shooting of the picture, a beautiful temple was erected, later the last illumination. It is interesting that at the moment the church serves as an abode for a solitary monk, who, unfortunately, refuses to communicate with travelers.

It is not surprising that this place was chosen for the filming of the film "The Island". The right atmosphere is created by such details as a sunken barge, banks, framed by stone, wooden piers. It is curious that all the scenery remaining from the filming of the picture, still remain untouched.

Interesting fact

Kemi - a name that bears a small town, located in the territory of Lapland (Finland). It should not be confused with the city of Kem, located in Karelia. Residents of this settlement are only 22 thousand people, however tourists come there, attracted by sights. For example, it is there that the famous Finnish icebreaker Sampo is located.

Reviews of tourists

Why travelers so attract the beauty of Kemi? Finland, whose attractions are also famous throughout the world, can not compare with this small town in terms of the number of preserved artifacts, telling about the way of life and culture of the ancient peoples of the North.

An indelible impression Kem makes on people who like to spend time for admiring the natural beauties. Here they find fast rivers and motionless lakes, framed by wild vegetation of Karelian forests. This city is well received by tourists who appreciate active rest. The most popular are such traditional for the local population entertainment as hunting and fishing. Also, guests of Kemi have more extreme activities: diving, rafting on the river.

Finally, in the reviews of the city, the cleanest air is almost always mentioned. The area is attractive with ecological purity, this factor turns it into a wonderful place for recreation.