Lake Ladoga, Freshwater lake in northwestern Russia
Lake Ladoga is a freshwater body in northwestern Russia that spreads across Leningrad Oblast and Karelia, containing more than 660 islands. The shoreline alternates between sandy stretches in the south and rocky cliffs in the north, with forests reaching down to the water.
Viking traders used the body as part of a route between Scandinavia and Byzantium from the 8th century onward, founding settlements on the southern shore. During World War II, the frozen surface served as a supply route to besieged Leningrad, saving thousands of lives.
The name comes from Aloga or Aldoga, early Slavic settlements that controlled the waterways of the region. Fishermen from villages along the shore still use small wooden boats, a practice passed down through generations.
The water is calmest from May through October, while winter brings an ice cover not suitable for walking. Local guides from coastal villages offer boat trips to the islands, especially during summer.
Some of the islands hold abandoned villages where wooden houses still stand, left by residents after the war. Seals live in the northern bays, a rare freshwater population that can sometimes be seen sunbathing on rocks.
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