How to get to Petrozavodsk on your own? Location on the map of Russia

Founded: 1703

Petrozavodsk celebrates City Day on
the last Saturday of June
.
In 2021,
this date is
June 26
.

In 2021, due to the pandemic, mass events in honor of the city day are canceled or may be postponed

Petrozavodsk is the capital of Karelia

Petrozavodsk

- a city in northwestern Russia, the capital of the Republic of Karelia, the administrative center of the Prionezhsky district. It is located on the shores of the Petrozavodsk Bay of Lake Onega.

The first people appeared in this area several thousand years ago. 31 ancient settlements have been found on the territory of the city, the oldest of them is 8 thousand years old.

The city of Petrozavodsk began with an arms factory, founded in 1703 by decree of Peter I near the mouth of the Lososinka River on the shore of Lake Onega. The plant, called Shuisky, was surrounded by an earthen rampart and turned into a fortress that could repel a possible attack by the Swedes. In September 1772, Catherine II signed a decree on the construction of a new cannon foundry factory, called Alexandrovsky. After the opening of the plant, Petrozavodsk received the status of a city, and in 1781 it became the center of the Olonets region. Three years later, the region turned into a governorate, and Petrozavodsk was appointed a provincial city.

During the Patriotic War of 1812, some exhibits of the Imperial Academy of Arts, the Russian National Library, the affairs of the St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences and the Ministry of Education were evacuated here from St. Petersburg. In subsequent years, Petrozavodsk grew and developed together with the Aleksandrovsky plant. At the beginning of the 20th century, a telephone exchange appeared in the city, and soon the railway from Petrograd to Murmansk passed through it.

With the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, many residents went to the front, and factories and women and children were evacuated. On October 2, 1941, Petrozavodsk was occupied by the Finnish Karelian Army, and 11 concentration camps were created and operated here during the war years. The city was liberated only on June 28, 1944 during the Svir-Petrozavodsk offensive operation. On the same day, a fireworks display took place in Moscow in honor of the liberation of Petrozavodsk.

Onezhskaya Embankment For the courage, resilience and mass heroism shown by the city’s defenders in the struggle for freedom and independence of the Fatherland, on
April 6, 2015, Petrozavodsk was awarded the honorary title “City of Military Glory.”
The city has several attractions

worthy of tourist attention. Among them is Onezhskaya Embankment - an open-air museum where there is a monument to Peter I, the Tree of Wishes and other sculptures. On Lenin Avenue you can see the Youth Fountain and the Twin Cities Gallery, and on Kirov Square you can see the Tree of Friendship.

In Petrozavodsk there is the oldest park in Russia - the former Petrovsky Garden, and now the Park of Culture and Leisure. On its territory there is a monument to the first arms factory and a pond. You can also have a pleasant time at the Kurgan ski complex and at the equestrian center. It is also interesting to visit the so-called “Kamenny Bor”.

Among the architectural monuments one can note the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and the Holy Cross Church. For the purpose of cultural education, you can visit one of three museums, one of five theaters or a philharmonic society.

Musical Theater of the Republic of Karelia on Kirov Square (Photo: ru.wikipedia.org)
City Day in Petrozavodsk is celebrated on the last Saturday of June
; This date was set in honor of the liberation of the city from the Finnish army. In recent years, City Day has been held as part of a large-scale festival - “Consonance of White Nights”. At this time, examples of landscape design are being demonstrated on the embankment of Lake Onega.

Since 1998, Petro has hosted an international competition of snow and ice sculptures. The winter festival opens in February and consists of three stages: “Hyperborean Fun” (various competitions, comic competitions and games), “Art of Hyperborea” (exhibitions, concerts and conferences) and “Hyperborean Games” (sports competitions). The name of the festival is borrowed from ancient Greek mythology, where the name “Hyperborea” meant the northernmost country - according to legend, it was located precisely in the region of present-day Karelia.

The live music festival “Air”, which has been held every summer since 2005, attracts more and more tourists every time. It lasts three days and takes place on two stages - the main and alternative. The festival field houses not only concert venues, but also attractions, active recreation areas and a tent camp.

Cathedral in the name of Alexander Nevsky (Photo: ru.wikipedia.org)

In Petrozavodsk it is worth trying Karelian cuisine. A special feature of local cooking is the frequent use of fish, rye and barley flour. Also, the Karelian table is distinguished by an abundance of forest gifts - mushrooms and berries (blueberries, cranberries, cloudberries, blueberries). The national menu always includes kalaruokka, or fish soup. The most typical are whitefish soup, milk soup and pickled fish soup.

As a souvenir from Petrozavodsk you can bring a wide variety of products made from Karelian birch - from boxes to watches. Crafts made from shungite are in great demand. An excellent gift would be souvenirs made of leather and birch bark, as well as tablecloths and napkins with traditional Onega embroidery.

The city of Petrozavodsk has its own official anthem.

The Day of Establishment of the Republic of Karelia is celebrated on June 8.

Interesting Facts

1. Petrozavodsk is the only large city in the country (except for the Northern capital) that was named after Peter the Great.
2. It is called the port of the five seas.
3. Geographically, the city belongs to Europe.
4. Throughout its existence, it has gone through three stages of development. The city changed not only its status, but also its architectural appearance.
5. On April 6, 2015, Petrozavodsk received the honorary title - City of Military Glory.
6. Currently there are 280 thousand people living there.
7. You can see the northern lights.

Age groups

In 2010, employees of the social protection authorities of Petrozavodsk recorded three centenarians. Their age has exceeded 100 years. In total, more than 85,000 retired persons are registered on the territory of the municipal center. The average age of elderly people is 64. There are more than 6,700 people over eighty years old. There are approximately four hundred people in Petrozavodsk who are ninety years old.

The average life expectancy in Karelia is seventy years. The causes of population mortality are malignant neoplasms, pathologies of the circulatory system, and alcoholism. Doctors managed to reduce the number of maternal and child deaths. Women undergo regular medical examinations. If necessary, they are provided with financial assistance.

How to get there on your own?

Petrozavodsk is connected to various Russian cities by air, road and railway communications. The fastest way to get there is by plane. Maximum comfort is provided on such branded trains as Karelia and Arktika. Some travel by private vehicle.

From Moscow

Airplane

There are direct flights from Moscow to Petrozavodsk from Domodedovo Airport, which operate once every 2 days. Flight time is about 1 hour 45 minutes. Departures are carried out during the daytime. There are also regular flights from Vnukovo Airport (travel time - 1.5 hours).

In the search form below you can see the cost of air tickets:

Train routes from railway stations

The fastest and most convenient way to get to the city from Moscow is by train. There are several options:

• The cheapest and slowest is No. 160V. Departs from Leningradsky Station, travel time is 20 hours.
• The fastest No. 018A “Karelia”. Departs from Leningradsky railway station. Travel time is almost 12 hours. There are no reserved seat carriages.
• No. 016A “Arctic” follows the route Moscow-Murmansk. Departs from Leningradsky railway station. Travel time is 16 hours.
• No. 120B departs from Kursky Station. Includes a trailer carriage to Murmansk. Follows from Belgorod. Travel time is 19 hours.

All trains arrive at the Petrozavodsk Passazhirsky railway station.

The building, built in the 50s of the last century in the spirit of late neoclassicism, is decorated with a seventeen-meter spire.

The distance from the Moscow Ring Road to the capital is 1000 km, so driving time will be 11 hours. Part of the route is carried out along a toll road. Read more about the route by car from Moscow to Petrozavodsk here.

From Saint-Petersburg

The most convenient and fastest option is an airplane. The distance will be 302 km. Flight time varies by airline, approximately 55–75 minutes. The plane boards from Pulkovo.

You can leave Ladozhsky Station by electric train “Lastochka”. Travel time – 5 hours. Night train 012A takes a little longer – 7.5 hours. It is possible to travel on other long-distance trains, which also depart from Ladozhsky Station.

The schedule of all trains to Petrozavodsk can be found here.

Here you can see the train schedule:

Between Petrozavodsk and St. Petersburg there are 430 km. The time by car to the city is 5.5 hours. The road has a good surface and is almost not congested.

How to get by car from St. Petersburg to Petrozavodsk read here

National Theater of the Republic of Karelia

People often attend cultural events. There are also musical and drama theaters here. The National Theater of the Republic of Karelia is especially popular. Here the actors perform not only in Russian, but also in Finnish, Vepsian and Karelian languages.

It should be noted that nowhere in the world are performances held in multiple languages. By the way, during performances, simultaneous translation into Russian is provided to the audience. Performances, as a rule, are held on the small stage of the theater, where the hall seats only fifty spectators, and on the large stage - 300 seats.

The theater began to be built back in 1911 , within two years the construction was completely completed and the theater opened its doors not only to spectators, but also to participants in various meetings. In the water hall, classical film screenings were held, which were organized by the Triumph cinema, and in the other, provincial officials held various kinds of meetings and organized public meetings.

After the overthrow of the tsarist government in 1918, the Soviet authorities established the Headquarters of the Red Guard in the theater. The same meetings were held here, with the only difference being that the political composition of the participants had completely changed.

The Red Guards held mass meetings and directed the actions of their commissars, who continued the fight against the Mensheviks in Karelia. Two years later, a congress was held here, which proclaimed the emergence of the Karelian Labor Commune.

The essence of this organization was that it served as an autonomous regional union, which was part of the RSFSR as a federation. This movement began in 1918, when the first commune was organized in the Volga region. It was called the Labor Commune of the Volga Germans.

In other words, the Labor Commune of Karelia was supposed to solve the problems of the population of this republic, prevent neighboring Finland from seizing the Eastern Karelian territories and, finally, it was supposed to become the center of the fight against the bourgeoisie in Finland and other Scandinavian countries.

Three years later, Finnish revolutionaries organized a national troupe at the theater. The former actor and director of Finnish amateur theaters, Victor Linden, was appointed its director. From that moment on, the Theater began to fulfill its main purpose, and soon various performances began to be held here for the residents of Petrozavodsk.

For younger audiences, the doors of the youth theater “Creative Workshop” are always open, as well as the puppet theater. The Philharmonic and five city museums also attract equally large audiences.

Rent a car without a driver inexpensively

Car rental is a service that is becoming more and more popular. In the city you can rent a car without a driver. The average cost is 1000 rubles per day (it all depends on the brand of the car and the providing company).
The largest rental companies: My car rental, Avtoarenda10, Rental 1 and Avto4travel. You must provide a passport and driver's license. A deposit is required. The driver must be at least 21 years old, but in this case only economy class vehicles will be available.

Transport of Petrozavodsk

Buses almost never run around Petrozavodsk, but run between populated areas. In summer you can find tourist excursion routes. Public transport consists of trolleybuses and GAZelle minibuses, which necessarily pass through the city center. The cost of travel on public transport is 20-25 rubles.

You can take a taxi anywhere in the city or order it by phone. City trips cost between 120-150 rubles. Daily car rental will cost approximately 2-3 thousand rubles. But it makes sense for a country trip to nature or for exploring nearby attractions. In the city it is easier to get around on foot or by taxi, since the parking situation is not very favorable.

You can rent a bicycle. The cost of hourly rental is 200 rubles, and daily rent is 600 rubles. There are quite a few rental points, located at a hotel, hostel or some sports complex. A passport or money may be required as collateral.

Where to stay?

Before heading to the capital of Karelia, you need to find a place to stay. There are quite a lot of accommodation options in Petrozavodsk, there are both cheap hotels and more reputable ones.

High-level hotels:

1. Piter Inn Petrozavodsk. Located two minutes walk from the central station. High level service, personal gym, Wi-Fi and much more.
2. Spa hotel "Karelia". Here you can not just relax, but spend time with benefit for body and soul.
3. "Frigate". Cozy hotel in the very center of the city. View of Lake Onega. There is its own fish restaurant.

In the photo: a room at the Fregat Hotel

Mid-level hotels:

1. "Central". Located in the green zone of Petrozavodsk. Reasonable pricing policy.
2. "Petrozavodsk". Good and inexpensive hotel. There is free Wi-Fi.
3. "Zarechnaya". Small but cozy hotel. Located near the Spartak stadium and the Lososinka river.

There are also other options that are cheaper. These are the hostels:

• "Karelia Hostel". Located near Lake Onega. There are large shopping centers, restaurants and cafes nearby.
• Brusnika Hostel. Home comfort in the very center of the city. The train station, university and various attractions are within walking distance.

More accommodation options can be found on Booking.com:

Distinctive features of the city

Petrozavodsk on the map of Russia occupies a northern position on the East European Plain, which, together with the proximity of the largest lake, leaves its mark on the climate of the city: temperate continental with marine features. Winter is quite mild, but protracted.

Snow cover persists until mid-April. Summers are cool, rainy and short. Rarely occurring heat is very difficult to bear. There are more than half of cloudy days in the year. The weather is very changeable due to numerous cyclones.

Ecology

Petrozavodsk is considered one of the greenest cities in the country, which has a beneficial effect on its ecology. The city has many feathered inhabitants: swallows and ducks, and bullfinches live in winter. Squirrels live in forests and parks.

The main source of urban water supply is the waters of Lake Onega.

Insufficient sewage treatment and discharges from enterprises pollute water within the city, which is the main environmental problem today. The growth of individual vehicles continuously increases the contribution to urban air pollution.

On the territory of manufacturing and industrial enterprises, as well as along railway lines, land contamination with oil refining products is observed. And along railways and highways there is an excess of the maximum concentration of lead and zinc in the soil. The problem of city landfills and municipal solid waste is very acute.

Vegetation

The city's green zone covers 1,800 hectares, with more than 14 square meters per resident. m of green spaces, parks and squares. Petrozavodsk on the map of Russia is located in the far north zone, which leaves an imprint on the entire Karelian vegetation.

Most of it is occupied by coniferous forests with tall spruce and slender pines, interspersed with juniper and low, crooked birch trees. Many types of moss and lichen. These places are famous for the abundance of mushrooms and northern berries: cloudberries, blueberries, wild rosemary.

Population

There are about 270 thousand urban residents in Petrozavodsk, the following nationalities predominate among them:

The population density is 3.4 people per 1 sq. m.

When is the best time to go?

The city is beautiful at any time of the year. But most often the capital is visited in the summer, when it is warm and you can go swimming. Also, only in summer is it possible to get to the main attractions by water.

It is best to go to Petrozavodsk from May to September to have a chance to attend several excursions.

Don’t forget about the winter period, but it will no longer be possible to visit some attractions. Snowdrifts, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and much more awaits guests in the winter.

Coat of arms

The coat of arms of Petrozavodsk is presented in the form of a French shield. It is divided into two equal parts. At the top, on a golden field, there is a hand emerging from the right side, surrounded by a cloud. The limb faces inward and holds an azure oval shield. Below it are four black cores. They are connected by black chains, forming an indirect cross. The lower part of the shield is divided by three green and two gold stripes. Against their background are 3 iron hammers. The tools symbolize mining and industry.

The artistic composition was adopted by the decision of the Petrozavodsk City Council of People's Deputies on April 19, 1991.

Where to eat?

The capital of Karelia has many wonderful restaurants and cafes where you can have a tasty and inexpensive meal. And good places may not necessarily be located in the city center. Prices are reasonable. Each guest will find a suitable place for their budget. Below are both high-level establishments and inexpensive canteens with homemade food.

1. "Reindeer moss". A modern city restaurant located in the very center of the city.
2. "Deja vu." This is a European cafe with quality cuisine. Is one of the most popular places in Petro. The first specialized store of Japanese cuisine. There is free delivery and reasonable prices.
3. Dining room "Hermes" at st. Krasnaya, 31. Here you can plunge into the atmosphere of your favorite and homemade tastes.
4. "Bavarius". The most meaty place on the map of Petrozavodsk. Here guests will be treated to shanks and sausages made from minced meat according to their own recipe.

I recommend taking an unusual excursion to Petrozavodsk for gourmets: taste the city!, where you will visit gourmet restaurants, cozy cafes, a warm and lamp-lit teahouse.

What to bring

The most delicious and useful common gift and souvenir can be called balm from Karelian herbs, jams and tinctures from northern berries. They are sold not only in souvenir shops, but also in supermarkets.

Petrozavodsk is also famous for its unique crafts made from rare Karelian birch wood. The most beautiful paintings, boxes, watches, souvenirs such as magnets, salt shakers and even flash drives for computers are made from it.

Karelian embroidery in red and white colors, created by craftswomen using ancient technologies, has recently become very popular.

Ornaments from geometric shapes are intricately formed into various shapes of animals, birds and people. The healing properties of shungite are known far beyond the borders of Karelia, and this is where this healing mineral is mined. You can bring unusual souvenirs or just a few black pebbles with metal veins as a souvenir and for purifying water.

Patchwork items are a common lasting gift from Petrozavodsk. This could be a quilt, potholders, tablecloth, pillowcases or blanket. You can choose elegant bright interior items of any color.

Karelian ceramics made from red local clay can become a practical souvenir of a trip to Petrozavodsk. The choice of products is very diverse: from a decorative vase to a practical pot. Everyone can choose according to their taste and budget.

Petrozavodsk is an amazing and interesting place, which, despite its remoteness on the map of Russia, is very popular with tourists from all over the country and guests of Karelia.

Article design: Oleg Lozinsky