Russian-American Business

Solovki is a true wonder of the world in Russia. Purity, holiness, magic landscapes - the north stronghold of Orthodoxy. It is just the right place for those who seek serenity. The trip to Solovki, the brightest impression of many visiting American tourists, is one of the famous tour routes offered by the Pomor-Tur tourists company, located in the city of Archangel’sk.

The company‘s director Tatiana N. Bestuzheva is among the best experts in Russia; she has been working in the tourist industry of the Russian North for 30 years.

- “We can offer our tourists a variety of tours to the Solovetskiy Islands,” Bestuzheva said. - “It could be our famous cruises on the Klavdia Elanskaia ship (Archangelsk - Solovki - Arch-angelsk). For those, who are short one time, we can offer our jets, which constantly link the continent with the Solovetskiy Islands. Tourists will be able to see legendary Monastery buildings, fortress walls and towers, as well as to learn the history of the infamous Stalin's Gulag camp. One will also see numerous hermitages in different parts of the Island, the monastery dry dock, stone labyrinths of prehistoric times, take an exciting boat trip along the intricate canal system of the Island, connecting its largest lakes. The nature wonders of the Island are spectacular, and its botanical garden features many plant species. The archipelago is a natural habitat of white whales, or belugas. A shore-based whale watching or a boat whale watching is a never-to-be forgotten experience.”

HISTORY

The Solovetsky Archipelago is situated in the Onega gulf of the White Sea. It consists of six large and a several tiny islands, the total area of which comes to about 300 square km . The Archipelago is usually called by diminutive form of its name, Solovki. The islands lie only 150 kilometers south of the Arctic Circle, but winters are not severe because of the warming influence of the Norwegian Current, a northern arm of the Gulf Stream. During the coldest months, temperatures are only 10 or 20 degrees below, which is considered to be a very mild winter.

The Island's picturesque relief, shaped by the steep hills, and low sandy bank covered with large stones, creates a unique setting for diverse nature zones and results in the abundance of floral and animal wild life. Archipelago's special microclimate is also determined by the influence of the White Sea and 564 lakes located on the islands.

The habitation of the Karelian coast of the White Sea began in the 12-13th centuries, when fishermen and hunters from Novgorod settled down in the area. Monks were the next to move there. Local inhabitants knew about the Islands in the sea, and told about it to the old monk Savvaty. Savvaty at that time was looking for loneliness after the death of his teacher Kiril Belozersky and traveled to the north of Russia. For some time he lived in Valaam Monastery, but found it overcrowded and went away further north. In 1429, he reached the Solovki Islands. Savvaty was later respected as the pioneer on the Islands, but it was not him who established the monastery.

In 1436, Zosima, a son of rich parents lived on the shore of the Lake Onego (near Kizhi). One day he decided to devote the rest of his life to monkery and gave out all his property to poor men.

Zosima and his team of followers landed on The Solovki Island and established a monastery.

Until the middle of the 16th century, the Solovki Monastery was similar to other small-sized monasteries in the north. In 1549, however, the Monastery got a new leader Fillip, who was an energetic and outstanding person. Under his leadership the Monastery started building stone temples, new roads, and canals to connect its numerous lakes.

At that time the Monastery began to play an important role in the defense of Russia’s North. In 1582-1594, a new fortress was erected on the Island by monks upon the order of Czar. It was built of huge boulders and became one of the biggest and most powerful Russian fortresses.

In the middle of the 17th century, the Monastery's political and moral influence on Russian life became very strong. The Monastery authorities started to resist the religious reforms of the Russian Church supported by Czar. Peace negotiations gave no results and the Czar sent military forces to punish the rebels. It was the time of the famous "Solovki siege" (1668-1676). The strong and well equipped army managed to capture the Monastery only with the help of a traitor in January 1676. The punishment was very cruel and many monks were executed. This was the only time in the Monastery's history that it was occupied.

Solovki Monastery was often used as a prison for criminals and heretics. In 1923, an infamous prison SLON (Solovki Camp of Special Intent) was set up. Hundreds of thousands of prisoners were on the Island. They suffered badly and many of them died. The prison was closed in 1939. Since 1965 the restoration works in the Solovki Kremlin has been going on. After being closed for more than 70 years, the monastery was recently reopened; it instantly became a place of pilgrimage.

In 1967 a reserve-museum was created on the Solovetsk Islands. The St. Nicholas Church and buildings inside the Kremlin, such as the Assumption Cathedral and Transfiguration Cathedral, have been beautifully restored, and regular services are conducted there. The museum includes about 170 archeological, historical and architectural monuments and memorable places. In 1989 Solovki was recognized as one of World Heritage of UNESCO landmarks. Annually, thousands of people come to Solovki to see one of the most worshiped monasteries, to pay respect to famous Russian saints, as well as to marvel at the wonderful historical, architectural and hydro- technical monuments. They also come to be surrounded by the atmosphere of the past, and to get under the spell of the magnificent Russian Northern nature.

Your plan to visit the Russian North and the Solovetskiy Island should not wait. There would be no hassles associated with organizing the trip because Pomor-Tur will take care of everything. Only in the north will all of Russia's charms reveal themselves to you to their fullest: the glimmer of white nights, the scent of salty sea air, the timeless silhouettes of legendary monasteries in the reflection of scarlet sunsets. If you are looking for new discoveries, then come and visit the Russian North.

We invite you to travel with us!

Arkhangel'sk, Russia 163061

3 Svobodiy St.

tel: (8182) 20-46-00; fax: (8182) 21-40-40

Pomortur@atnet.ru