Belomorsk, Port town in Republic of Karelia, Russia
Belomorsk sits at the mouth of the Vyg River where it flows into the White Sea, forming the northern terminus of the White Sea-Baltic Canal. The town connects this northern region with southern waters through this engineered waterway.
The settlement traces back to a fishing village from the 12th century, though it received its modern name and city status in 1938 through the merging of multiple communities. The 20th century brought major transformation through the canal connection and growth as a port.
The surrounding region contains ancient rock carvings depicting hunting scenes and human figures from pre-Christian times. These artworks reflect the long settlement history of this northern area by early peoples.
The town connects to Murmansk and Saint Petersburg via the Kirov Railway, which serves as the main access route for most visitors. The port also provides water transportation connections for those traveling by boat.
During World War II from 1941 to 1944, the town served as the capital of the Karelo-Finnish Soviet Socialist Republic after Petrozavodsk fell under German control. This brief period made it an important administrative center in a war-torn region.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
