Ruskeala Mountain Park, Mountain park in Karelia, Russia
Ruskeala Mountain Park is a mountain park in Karelia, Russia, featuring three marble quarries along the Tohmajoki River. The water-filled galleries are surrounded by steep rock walls up to 25 meters (82 feet) high, while underground passages run through the stone.
The marble quarries began around 400 years ago under Swedish rule and supplied numerous building projects in Saint Petersburg until 1990. After operations ceased, the site was transformed into a visitor destination.
The marble cut from these quarries adorns major Russian buildings such as Saint Isaac's Cathedral, Kazan Cathedral, and several Saint Petersburg metro stations. Visitors today come to see the water-filled extraction sites and experience the traces of this centuries-old building activity.
The park opens daily from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. and offers walking trails, boat rides, and underground exploration tours. Winter brings lighting installations that add atmosphere after dark.
The quarry water remains exceptionally clear to depths of 18 meters (59 feet) because cold temperatures prevent algae growth throughout the year. This transparency allows visitors to see details on the bottom even from the surface.
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