Karelian Holidays | Vottovaara Mountain

Mountain Vottovaara is a sacred place of ancient Saami people. Approximately 1600 sacred stones called “seids” are arranged here in a mysterious order.

The mountain is located in Muezersky region. It is the highest peak in the West-Karelian highland (417 m). Its relief is highly broken. Nine thousand years ago there was a massive earthquake here. Together with tectonic and glacial activity it formed a unique landscape of the mountain. Scattered stone boulders and blocks, ice-dressed rocks and seismic cracks filled with waters are everywhere.

The cult complex occupies about 6 sq. km and comprises stone boulders of different diameter from 30 cm up to 1.5 meters. They are situated in groups of 2-6 usually forming a circle.

The connection between the stone's location and the surrounding landscape can be sensed distinctly. Some boulders have signs of human effect. Some of them weighing almost a ton are placed on smaller stones as if on legs or smaller stones are placed on top of them. They also have signs of their intentional placement in certain places, usually in high sections of the rock closer to other stone accumulations. Meanwhile archeologists haven't found any evidence to state an exact date of the creation of seids.

A number of articles in local and national newspapers about Vottovaara made the mountain the desired destination for tourists. Unfortunately, disruptive actions of some tourists led to the loss of many stone constructions. Many constructions were destroyed and taken to pieces. When visiting Vottovaara Mountain, please, remember that it is a state-protected unique geological and archeological monument.

Click on the map to check our visitors centers in Karelia. » about us Main office: Gercina st. 41, Petrozavodsk Tel / fax: +7 (8142) 593320, 593321 GSM + 7 911 410 16 41 Summer office (June-August): Karl Marx Ave. 14, Petrozavodsk Tel.: +7 (8142) 76 14 41 E-mail: holidays@museums.karelia.ru © 2005 Karelian Holidays ATTENTION! Karelian Holidays reserves the right to change/ cancel/ reschedule/ replace any tour options due to unforeseen circumstances. Also note during storm weather trips to Kizhi, Valaam and Solovki will be canceled.		Vottovaara Mountain Отдых в Карелии Mountain Vottovaara is a sacred place of ancient Saami people. Approximately 1600 sacred stones called “seids” are arranged here in a mysterious order. The mountain is located in Muezersky region. It is the highest peak in the West-Karelian highland (417 m). Its relief is highly broken. Nine thousand years ago there was a massive earthquake here. Together with tectonic and glacial activity it formed a unique landscape of the mountain. Scattered stone boulders and blocks, ice-dressed rocks and seismic cracks filled with waters are everywhere. The cult complex occupies about 6 sq. km and comprises stone boulders of different diameter from 30 cm up to 1.5 meters. They are situated in groups of 2-6 usually forming a circle. The connection between the stone's location and the surrounding landscape can be sensed distinctly. Some boulders have signs of human effect. Some of them weighing almost a ton are placed on smaller stones as if on legs or smaller stones are placed on top of them. They also have signs of their intentional placement in certain places, usually in high sections of the rock closer to other stone accumulations. Meanwhile archeologists haven't found any evidence to state an exact date of the creation of seids. A number of articles in local and national newspapers about Vottovaara made the mountain the desired destination for tourists. Unfortunately, disruptive actions of some tourists led to the loss of many stone constructions. Many constructions were destroyed and taken to pieces. When visiting Vottovaara Mountain, please, remember that it is a state-protected unique geological and archeological monument.

Отдых в Карелии