The Finnish names of Karelian settlements at first seem so strange, unusual … So the name Lyaskelya evoked associations with the word “affectionate”. But nothing like that! Translated from Finnish, it means «descending.» In this case, it means going down to the river.
Hello!
On the way to Sortavala, we just drove through this village: it was getting late, and we were already tired, having spent several hours on the road. And we examined Lyaskel, already returning to Petrozavodsk.
This is a fairly large village in Karelia, not far from Sortavala. Belongs to the Pitkyaranta region.
Lyaskelya is a village with history. It is more than 400 years old, because the first mention of it dates back to 1618. The village has been part of both Sweden and the Grand Duchy of Finland.
In its best years, in the early sixties of the 20th century, Lyaskelya had a population of about 5,000 people — when a pulp and paper mill producing several types of paper worked here. But now the enterprise has been closed, and the population has gradually decreased by almost 2 times. Now about 2,700 people live in Läskelä. and about a third of them are pesionaries.
Lyaskel is surrounded by dense Karelian forests, with rivers and swamps, with huge boulders. Very beautiful!
About 15 kilometers from Läskel is the famous fish lake Janisjärvi, so these places are very popular with fishing enthusiasts.
The local population works in quarries, in the tourism business, and picks wild berries during the season.
Sights in Lyaskel
Lyaskelya stands on the Janisjoki River. The river is fast, rapids.
Bridge in Läskelä across Janisjoki. Photo of the author. Bridge in Läskelä across Janisjoki. Photo of the author.
And the main attraction of Lyaskel is the old power plant built on this river. It is clearly visible from the bridge, and, having passed the bridge, we stopped to examine the structure. The year of its construction is 1899. In 2011, a new hydroelectric power station was already launched, but the old building was preserved.
Lyaskel power plant. Photo of the author. Lyaskel power plant. Photo of the author.
I was surprised that there are three churches in the village. For 2,700 people.
Firstly, these are two Orthodox churches: the Archangel Michael (next to the hydroelectric power station) and the Nativity of John the Baptist (on the mountain). And also — the Lutheran Church of the Resurrection of Christ. All temples are new, built after 2010.
Lyaskel. Church of the Archangel Michael. Photo by Lyaskelya. Church of the Archangel Michael. Author’s photo
I especially liked the small wooden hill church of the Nativity of John the Baptist. She is good in itself, under a roof of wooden tiles. And the views from the mountain where the church stands are simply wonderful. To the village, to the river from the hydroelectric power station …
Church of the Nativity of John the Baptist. Lyaskel. Photo of the author. Church of the Nativity of John the Baptist. Lyaskel. Photo of the author. Church of the Nativity of John the Baptist. Lyaskel. Photo of the author. Add a description Church of the Nativity of John the Baptist. Lyaskel. Photo of the author. Add a description
But I was surprised that the church was closed, and there was no sign, no signs that it was working. We tried to look into the windows (they are high!). It was not possible to see anything particularly, but they saw that icons were hung on the walls.
Lutheran Church of the Resurrection of Christ. Photo of the author. Lutheran Church of the Resurrection of Christ. Photo of the author.
Another attraction of Lyaskel is a monument in honor of the fallen in the Great Patriotic War. It is installed at the mass grave of 9 Soviet soldiers who died in battles in these places.
The villagers have a special love for Pushkin’s work. The monument to the poet is located not far from the monument to the fallen soldiers.
Lyaskel. Village center. You can see the monument to those who died in the Second World War and the monument to A. S. Pushkin (in the distance). Photo of the author. Lyaskel. Village center. You can see the monument to those who died in the Second World War and the monument to A. S. Pushkin (in the distance). Photo of the author.
Seal of neglect
Unfortunately, unkemptness is a sign of all the Karelian settlements we have visited. Of course, you can attribute everything to spring, to the fact that quite recently, and even then not completely, the snow came down … But, believe me, it is very noticeable when there is just spring garbage on the street, and when — garbage that has not been removed for years.
Along the main street there are many dilapidated and abandoned houses, rickety fences. The green spaces of the village have grown and will turn into a jungle in summer.
Square next to the Church of the Archangel Michael. Photo of the author. Square next to the Church of the Archangel Michael. Photo of the author.
To the video about Sortavala, one of the commentators wrote: “Well, I’m sorry, the author, that by your arrival they didn’t have time to wash anything, put things in order.” Is it really the author, that is, me? I have come and gone. And people in this dirt and neglect will continue to live. And welcome tourists. No matter how picturesque nature is, the dirt of resort towns and villages can easily spoil the whole impression.
In addition, we were in Karelia on the eve of the May holidays, and the whole country usually prepares for them in advance. All cities and towns are being cleaned, preening, Whitened and tinted. And here, probably, it is not accepted.
This unkemptness is a fair fly in the ointment in a barrel of pleasant impressions from visiting Karelia and communicating with local people.
Have you ever been to this village? What impression did you make?
All health!
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