Kinerma is the ancient Karelian village situated 100 km from Petrozavodsk. This unique village is a monument of local value. Thanks to this status beautiful traditional wooden architecture of Kinerma is protected by Karelian authorities. No new houses are allowed to be built on the territory of the Kinerma. Everything is erected and restored according to the ancient plan of the village.
For the first time Kinerma was mentioned in the chronicles of the 16th century. At that time the village consisted of only 4 houses. Today the village unites 17 houses, 7 saunas, an old cemetery and a chapel. The chapel is not only the spiritual centre of the village, but also its main attraction. It was erected in the 17th century in honor of the icon of Virgin Mary from Smolensk, which is the only miraculous icon in Karelia. The legend says, that the icons was brought to the village by a soldier and since that time protected the village from misfortune.
Of great interest are also black banyas typical of Karelian villages. Such banyas were constructed without a chimney. When a black banya was heated, the smoke coming from the primitive stove made of stones warmed the sauna and then escaped through a special opening in the ceiling. Because of smoke walls of such saunas were dark, and that's why they were usually called black. That smoke, interfering in the walls of the sauna, kills of insects and mushrooms and serves like antiseptic. Trying a black sauna in Kinerma is an unusual but nice experience. The temperature inside is not too high, but the humidity is high enough to get free from all toxins and stress.
You can visit Kinerma for a short excursion and lunch with dishes of national Karelian cuisine or you can spend there a couple of days to enjoy the special atmosphere of a true Karelian village.