Waterfall Kivach description and photos - Russia - Karelia: Kondopozhsky district (Topic)

Waterfall Kivach description and photo - Russia - Karelia: Kondopozhsky district. Detailed information about the attraction. Description, photographs and a map showing the nearest significant objects. The title in English is Waterfall Kivach.

Photo and description

In Karelia, in the famous land of plains and lakes, in addition to the calm glacial landscape (kams, ozes, moraine ridges), you can find more “dynamic” beauties. The Kivach waterfall, located in the nature reserve of the same name, is not only a natural decoration of the Karelian region, but also the second largest flat waterfall in Europe and is second only to the Rhine waterfall. Located on the Suna River, the waterfall breaks down in seething streams, overcoming four ledges, which makes it even more spectacular. The waterfall is almost 11 meters high. The noise generated by the power of the water is also impressive. The picturesque landscape creates an extraordinary impression and attracts tourists.

An old legend about the creation of the Kivach waterfall has survived to this day. Tradition says about two sister rivers Shuya and Sunna, who loved each other so much, that flowed alongside all the time. One day, the weary Sunna decided to give her sister a way along a more comfortable channel, and she herself went to rest on a pebble, and fell asleep. When Sunna woke up, she found that Shuya's sister was already far ahead and began to catch up with her. During the chase, Sunna demolished everything in its path, crushed and overturned boulders and stones. In the place where Sunna broke the rock, a picturesque waterfall was born.

There are several theories of the origin and the name of the waterfall. From the Finnish word "kivi", translated as a stone, from the Russian word "nod", and from the Karelian "kivas", meaning a snowy mountain. The Karelian version is considered the most probable.

Kivach gained his wide popularity thanks to Gabriel Romanovich Derzhavin. Traveling around the Karelian region, the governor discovered and described in "Daily notes" a waterfall of incredible beauty. More than once the poet was inspired by the frightening seething water, the famous ode "Waterfall" is dedicated to Kivach and begins with the following words: "A mountain is falling from the heights with four rocks ...".

The waterfall was a favorite place not only among artists and poets. High-ranking statesmen also liked to visit him. The most famous guest of the waterfall was Emperor Alexander II. By his arrival, the waterfall was brought into proper form. A good road was laid to the waterfall, a small gazebo was built on the right bank of the river, and a house for the night was built on the left bank. And downstream of the waterfall there is a bridge over the river.

In the twentieth century, a nature reserve was founded around the waterfall, named after the main attraction - Kivach. The reserve "Kivach", located 60 km from the capital Petrozavodsk, is a popular place among tourists and receives up to 40 thousand guests a year. Not a single excursion in the Karelian Territory is complete without visiting this federal level natural monument.

At the moment, part of the river water is diverted for use at hydroelectric power plants, the largest are the Palyeozerskaya HPP and the Kondopoga HPP, and as a result, the waterfall has lost former power. The awakening of Kivach can be observed only during spring floods. But even in its current state, the waterfall remains beautiful.

In addition, the waterfall is used for rafting and a special descent is made for this, otherwise the logs are broken into chips.

In the center of the reserve, which is one of the oldest in Russia, an arboretum and a nature museum are located at the waterfall. In addition, there is a monument to the fallen wars who died during the Great Patriotic War defending this place. The road to the waterfall passes through century-old pine trees. More than 80% of the protected area is covered with forests. While walking in the reserve, you can pick berries and mushrooms, but only for personal purposes.

Large pikes, perches and bream are found in the waters of the river, and the vast forest has become home to many animals (from voles to bears) and birds. Hunting and fishing are strictly prohibited here.

We also recommend reading Garda Island (L'isola di Garda) description and photos - Italy: Lake Garda

Topic: Waterfall Kivach description and photos - Russia - Karelia: Kondopozhsky district.