Sorolansaari, Forest island in Lake Ladoga, Russia
Sorolansaari is a forested island in Lake Ladoga covering approximately 7.5 kilometers in length and 3 kilometers in width. Its interior consists of small lakes, flowing streams, and dense forest growth throughout.
Formation of the island occurred over 2000 years ago when glacial movements shaped the Ladoga Skerries region and created its rocky landscape. Finnish settlements flourished later but disappeared around 1940.
The island carries a Finnish name reflecting the people who lived here before 1940, and scattered structures from their settlements still stand across the landscape. This naming and physical presence connect visitors to a lost chapter of the region.
Access to the island is only by boat from the mainland, as there are no bridges or roads connecting it to the shore. Plan ahead by arranging water transport in advance, since service varies by season.
An artificial cave carved for quartz mining creates an unexpected industrial feature hidden within the forest landscape. This excavation, combined with the island's 90-meter elevation at its highest point, tells a story of past resource extraction.
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