What's the place Valaam?

The fantastic island of Valaam is one of the most picturesque places and beautiful monasteries in the Northwest of Russia.

Vallam is sometimes called "Mount Athos of the North". Valaam, surrounded by the archipelago of more than 50 beautiful small islands, is situated in Ladoga Lake - the biggest freshwater lake in Europe with the average width of 83km! and maximum depth of 230m!. During its centuries-old history, the Monastery has undergone devastation and desolation time and again. But, by God's mercy, every time it revived again. In atheistic Soviet Union Monastery has also undergone devastation. But on December 14, 1989 a ship moored in the harbour, there were the first six monks on board and gradually monastic life started to revive. Since that day, the new history of Valaam began. A great amount of temples and churches are situated here, a lot of pilgrims come every summer to visit Holy Earth and to help in renovation works. You can see photos of Valaam at www.valaam.ru