Hotel Igumenskaya

Northern European Russia


Wood-panelled rooms inside the monastery with simple beds come complete with an icon in a corner niche. From the top of the main approach stairway, enter the first lilac-scented courtyard of the main monastery, turn right and press the buzzer at the third door. There’s no sign. Not the best ratio of guest numbers per shared bathroom. Mainly caters to pilgrims.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Northern European Russia attractions

1. Transfiguration Monastery

0.13 MILES

Souvenir stalls line the short road that leads, via short-cut steps, up to Valaam’s main attraction. The monastery is radiant in gleaming white and sky…

2. Nikolski Skete

0.34 MILES

For a great picnic site, stroll about 20 minutes north of the Transfiguration Monastery to the quaint, heptagonal bell tower of Nikolski Skete.

3. Nikonovskaya Area

2.33 MILES

One of the few parts of the island that's easily accessible on foot from the monastery is the forested Nikonovskaya area, dotted with chapels and sketes.

4. Kronid Gogolev Museum

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5. Petri Shemeikka

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Those interested in the Kalevala epic poem will want to pay their respects to the kantele-plucking statue of Karelian rune singer Petri Shemeikka that…

6. Firehouse

23.23 MILES

Attractive wooden relic of bygone years. Can only be viewed from the outside, however.