Brief history of Petrozavodsk
At the beginning of the 18th century, the area where Petrozavodsk is now located was home to a flour mill situated on the banks of the Lososinka River. A solitary miller lived and worked there.
Expeditions by the Chamber of Mines discovered deposits of iron and copper ores in the region. They determined that the Lososinka River was suitable for constructing a dam to power water forges and other water-operated mechanisms. In early September 1703, a foundry was established at the mouth of the Lososinka River, named Petrovsky. This foundry produced cannons, cannonballs, rifles, pistols, swords, and other munitions and equipment essential for the Northern War against Sweden.
Along with the foundry, a small settlement called Petrovskaya Sloboda emerged. Peter the Great visited the area several times—specifically in 1719, 1720, 1722, and 1724—on his way to Marcial Waters for treatment,
Following Russia’s victory in the Northern War in 1721 and the emperor’s death in 1725, weapons production was relocated to Sestroretsk and the Ural Mountains. Consequently, the Petrovsky factories were closed.
Approximately half a century later, due to ongoing wars with Turkey and unrest in the Ural region, Catherine II’s government decided to resume cannon production. In 1774, the first cannons at the new cannon foundry, called Aleksandrovsky, were cast. One of the early managers was Charles Gascoigne, a prominent British industrialist. Under his supervision, the latest technological advancements were introduced, drastically reducing the defect rate in gun production.
On March 21, 1777, Catherine II issued an order to grant the settlement city status: “In the Olonets region, Petrovskaya Sloboda shall be renamed a city, and it shall be called Petrozavodsk.”
By 1913, the city's population had grown to approximately 16,200 residents. The construction of the Murmansk Railway in 1916 spurred further growth, and by 1939, the population had increased to 69,723.
During World War II, from October 2, 1941, to June 28, 1944, Petrozavodsk was occupied by Finnish forces.
Until the 1920s, Petrozavodsk was a provincial city within the Olonets Province. Later, it became the administrative center of various Soviet territorial entities. Today, with a population of about 240,000, Petrozavodsk is the capital of the Republic of Karelia.
Petrozavodsk: Places of Interest
Let us explore some notable sites in the historical center of the city.
Lenin Avenue
Lenin Avenue is the main street of Petrozavodsk, formerly known as Borodinskaya Street until 1918. It stretches from the railway station to the embankment of Lake Onega, lined with residential and administrative buildings, restaurants, cafes, and shops.
- Train Station (Vokzal): Built in 1955 in the style of late neoclassicism, the Petrozavodsk train station features Corinthian columns and a 17-meter spire.
- Former Children's Clinic / "Kareldrev" Trust Building: A two-story wooden structure constructed in 1935, showcasing Northern Art Nouveau style.
- Pobeda Cinema: An example of Soviet classicism architecture from 1950.
- Trust "Karelles": A wooden building from the late 1920s, designed in Art Nouveau style.
- Hotel "Severnaya": Built in 1939 in constructivist style, it was heavily damaged during World War II and restored in 1948, adopting neoclassical elements.
- Catholic Church (1904)
Lenin (Round) Square
Constructed in 1775 in the Russian classicism style, the buildings around Lenin Square are some of the oldest in Petrozavodsk:
- Governor's House / National Museum: Historically home to governors and vice-governors of Olonets Province.
- Government Building / Ministry of Culture: Once housed public offices, the district court, and the governor-general’s residence. The bronze lions at the entrance, cast in 1858 at the Alexander Factory, commemorate Emperor Alexander II’s arrival.
- Lenin Monument: Erected in 1933 on the site of the earlier monument to Peter I, this granite statue depicts Lenin in a winter coat, holding a winter hat.
- Memorial "Tomb of the Unknown Soldier" with Eternal Flame: Made of Shoksha red quartzite and gabbro-diabase, opened in 1969.
Karl Marx Avenue and Kirov (Cathedral) Square
Karl Marx Avenue runs along the Lososinka River, connecting Lenin Square and Kirov Square.
- English Square & Charles Gascoigne Monument: Located at the intersection with Dzerzhinsky Street, a monument to British industrialist Charles Gascoigne was erected in 2021.
- Kirov Square (formerly Sobornaya / Cathedral Square): Historically the site of the Svyatodukhovsky, Resurrection, and Peter and Paul cathedrals (built in 1872, 1800, and 1711 respectively), and the monument to Emperor Alexander II the Liberator (1885). All these structures were destroyed under Bolshevik rule in the 1920s-1930s.
- Notable Buildings Today:
- Boys’ Gymnasium: Built in 1790 in the classical style; housed the Olonets Provincial Boys’ Gymnasium (1811–1918), and since 1960, the Museum of Fine Arts.
- Girls’ Gymnasium: Established in 1856, it hosted the Mariinsky Girls’ Gymnasium (1861–1918). Today, it houses the Kantele ensemble.
- Musical Theatre: Erected in 1955 in late neoclassical style, featuring Corinthian columns, bas-reliefs, and gilded sculptures of dancers—typical of late Stalinist architecture.
Lake Onega Embankment
Descending from Kirov Square toward Lake Onega, visitors can see the monument to Peter the Great, erected in 1873 on Round Square to mark the bicentenary of his birth.
On the granite embankment of Lake Onega, you’ll find gifts from Petrozavodsk’s sister cities—unique sculptures created by modern architects from Duluth (USA), Varkaus (Finland), Umeå (Sweden), Mo and Rana (Norway), Neubrandenburg and Tübingen (Germany), and La Rochelle (France).
Between the Cosmos Petrozavodsk Hotel and the mouth of the Neglinka River lies the Historical Quarter, featuring several intriguing wooden buildings from the 19th and 20th centuries.
Waterfowl such as ducks can often be seen at the mouth of the Neglinka River.
Petrozavodsk Museums
The city hosts a variety of museums, including:
- National Museum of the Republic of Karelia
- Museum of Fine Arts of the Republic of Karelia
- Exhibition Hall of the Kizhi Museum-Reserve
- Repository of the Kizhi Museum-Reserve
- Children’s Museum Center of the Kizhi Museum-Reserve
- Art Gallery "Doll’s House"
- Geology Museum of the Precambrian
- Industrial History Museum of Petrozavodsk
- Maritime Museum "Polar Odyssey"
- Shungite Center (Shop/Museum)
National Museum of the Republic of Karelia
The National Museum of the Republic of Karelia is one of the most important cultural institutions in Petrozavodsk and the entire region. Situated in a historic building in the city center, it serves as a comprehensive repository of the region’s rich natural, archaeological, historical, folkloric, and ethnographic heritage.
Exhibits and Collections
The museum’s diverse displays offer insights into the region’s rich history and culture:
- Natural Heritage: Exhibits include local flora and fauna, geological samples, and natural history specimens.
- Archaeology: Artifacts from ancient settlements, burial sites, and prehistoric tools reveal early human activity.
- History: Exhibitions trace the development from ancient times through medieval periods, highlighting cultural influences.
- Folklore and Ethnography: Traditional clothing, crafts, musical instruments, and household items showcase local cultural practices.
- Ethnographic Collections: Items representing indigenous groups such as the Karelian, Russian, Finnish, and Vepsian peoples.
Address: Lenin Square, 1, Petrozavodsk
Working Hours: Tuesday–Sunday, 10:00–18:00
Closed:
Mondays
Museum of Fine Arts of the Republic of Karelia
The Museum of Fine Arts is a prominent cultural institution dedicated to showcasing a wide range of artistic works. Located in Petrozavodsk, it houses a diverse collection of paintings and decorative arts from various periods and regions.
Exhibition sections:
· Northern Iconography
This section showcases icons of the 15th-19th centuries, created by the northern Russian masters. These icons reflect spiritual and artistic heritage of the Russian Orthodox tradition.
· Folk Art Collection
Featuring traditional costumes, embroidery, wood carving, painting, as well as birch bark, copper, and ceramic utensils crafted by artisans from the past.
· Russian National Art
Showcasing works by celebrated Russian artists such as Ivan Shishkin, Isaac Levitan, Ivan Aivazovsky, and Konstantin Polenov. Notably, Polenov graduated from the Olonets Boys’ Gymnasium in 1863, which is housed in this very building, adding historical significance to his connection with the museum.
· Karelian Art
Featuring works by both classical and contemporary regional artists.
· "Kalevala" Universe
An exhibition inspired by the famous Karelian-Finnish epic poem "Kalevala," illustrating the mythological and cultural significance of this legendary work through various artworks and interpretations.
Address: Karl Marx Avenue, 8, Petrozavodsk
Working Hours: Tuesday–Wednesday, Friday–Sunday, 10:00–18:00; Thursday, 12:00–20:00
Closed:
Mondays
Art Gallery “Doll’s House”
Founded in 1999 by artist Tatyana Kalinina, the Art Gallery “Doll’s House” is a private museum dedicated to the art of designer dolls. The gallery features a captivating collection of dolls representing characters from fairy tales and folklore, including mermaids, kikimoras, house spirits, and other mythical beings.
Address: La Rochelle Embankment, 13, Petrozavodsk
Working Hours: Monday–Saturday, 12:00–17:00
Closed:
Sundays
