Balaam – the harmony of nature and architecture



Valaam archipelago is also called "the Northern Athos". It is a monastic Empire, preserved since ancient times, life, law, hierarchy. Landscape architecture of the island blends with the pristine nature.

Among the attractions of Balaam, which should certainly visit tourists, Spaso-Preobragenski monastery, where the beauty of Russian architecture is presented in the unusual combination of colors and architecture. The top colors sky blue, harmonizes with the red bottom. Completes the whole architectural composition of the three-tiered bell tower.

Throughout the island stretches cells, and hermitages, where the monks hermits retreated from the Madding crowd:
- All Saints (White) skit. Located on Skitsky island. Similar to white castle with pointed towers;
- Ilyinsky. Made in the Russian style, reminiscent of a rustic log cabin;
- Nicholas;
- John The Baptist;
- Konevsky;
- Abraham Of Rostov. Currently, reconstruction works are carried out;
- Complex "Northern Jerusalem". Includes built Voskresensky (red) and Gethsemane (Yellow) skete-monasteries;
- Smolensk;
- St. Vladimir.

Znamenskaya (king's) chapel
The marble roof of the chapel was decorated with a medallion with a commemorative inscription that the Emperor Alexander II visited Valaam in 1858 On the road to the left, Spasskie gates leading to the inner buildings of the monastery.

Wishing to make an optional excursion can pay a visit to the Abbot cemetery. Down to it can be passed under the arched bell tower.

Mannerheim Line
Interested in military history can see the remaining defensive structures of a complex.

Ascension chapel
South of the Gethsemane skete is a lake. The right Bank of a Small Nikon Bay is decorated with a granite memorial cross. At the top erected the chapel of the ascension with 5 chapters.

Forest path will lead to Konevsky lakes – Abbot, Ossawa, Mustajarvi. On the monastery farm, located on the shores of O. Sisterwe, here offer tourists treats.

There is an opportunity to take a boat tour on the river Ladoga around the island.


Memo to the tourist




On the monastery grounds women must be in veil and skirt.

In the White monastery (All Saints) allowed only men, except the feast of All Saints.

Prohibited alcohol, Smoking.

Clean air, beauty of nature, architecture will not leave anyone indifferent. Impressions of the visit of Balaam will remain for a long time.