Lake Ladoga is the largest freshwater lake in Europe. In the northern part of the lake is the Valaam archipelago, known throughout the world for the Transfiguration Monastery of the Savior. According to monastic tradition, the founders of the Valaam monastery are St. Sergius and Herman. The monks came here from Byzantium even before the baptism of Russia. A unique combination of local and imported vegetation has been created on Valaam. Tree planting on the island began in the 30s of the 19th century under Abbot Damascus. The monks planted trees, realizing that they would never see the results of their labors. Human life is shorter than the life of a tree. The harsh beauty of Valaam amazes everyone who first comes to the island. Dense forests and sheer cliffs seem inhospitable from afar. But approaching the Valaam shores, a world of amazing beauty opens up here, both man-made and untouched by man. Ivan Shishkin came to the island to paint for several seasons in a row. Shishkin fell in love with the island once and for all. For the rest of his life, he retained his love for the Valaam rocks, bays, pines, which he transferred from picture to picture.
4 дек 2021
