Ruskeala, Rural settlement in Sortavalsky District, Russia.
Ruskeala is a rural settlement in Karelia in northwestern Russia, located within the Kaalamskoye rural settlement. The place is known for its former marble quarries, which are now flooded and form an unusual landscape feature.
The region was part of Finland's Viipuri Province until the end of World War II. After 1945, it became part of Sortavalsky District in Russia and ceased to be an active quarrying center.
The marble quarries supplied stone for major buildings in St Petersburg, such as St Isaac's Cathedral and the Marble Palace. This heritage shaped how people in the region understood their connection to the city.
The settlement is accessible via the international Blue Highway, a route connecting Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia in the region. Reaching the place works best by car given the remote location and sparse settlement pattern.
The former marble quarries are now filled with clear water and form one of the largest artificial water bodies in Karelia. The steep marble walls and depth of the flooded quarry create a surprising natural spectacle in this region.
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