Monastery of New Valamo / Monasterio de Valamo Nueva / Monastère de Nouveau Valamo

May 13, 2011

Monastery of New Valamo / Monasterio de Valamo Nueva / Monastère de Nouveau Valamo

In English:
Deep in deep heart of middle of Finland in Heinavesi, 4½ hours by car from Helsinki, there is the monastery of New Valamo. This monastery is visited yearly by 160 000 visitors. Originally Monastery of Valamo was founded in the 12th century, or by the 14th century at the latest, by St. Sergei and St. Herman in Russia. During world war II it was evacuated to Finland in February 1940.

For visitor there is a small hotel, cafeteria, chapel and changing exhibitions, vineyard, library, different courses like Orthodox Icon painting, Conservation center, shop, archives and adult education collage. The library possesses the largest collection of Russian Orthodox literature to be found anywhere in Western Europe, comprising some 30,000 books, journals and manuscripts, the oldest dating from the 17th and 18th centuries.

First I am presenting inside photos from main church and then I walk thru the monastery’s area to the waterfront and visit in a small Tsasouna which is chapel.

En español:

Profundo en el centro de Finlandia en Heinavesi, quatro horas y media en carro desde Helsinki, hay un monasterio de Nuevo Valamo. Este monasterio se visita anualmente por 160 000 visitantes. Originalmente Monasterio de Valamo era fundado en el siglo XII, o por el siglo XIV por S. Sergei y S. Herman en Rusia. Durante la segunda guerra mundial lo fue evacuado a Finlandia en febrero 1940.

Para el visitante hay s un pequeño hotel, cafetería, capilla, y exposiciones temporales, viña, biblioteca, cursos diferentes como la pintura de iconos ortodoxos, centro de conservación, archivos, una pequena tienda y collage de la educación de adultos.
La biblioteca posee la colección la más grande de la literatura Ortodoxa rusa para ser encontrada dondequiera en Europa Occidental, comprendiendo unos 30.000 libros, los diarios y los manuscritos, el más viejo data del sigl XVII y del siglo XVIII.

Primeramente le voy a presentar mis fotos de dentro de la iglesia principal y luego caminaré a través de la zona del monasterio hasta la línea de costa y visitaré en un pequeño Tsasouna que es la capilla.

En francais:

Profond dans le coeur au milieu de Finlande dans Heinavesi, quatre heures et demie en voiture de Helsinki, il y a un monastère de Nouveau Valamo. Ce monastère est annuellement visité par 160 000 visiteurs. Au début le Monastère de Valamo était fondé dans le 12e siècle, ou dans le 14e siècle au dernierment, par St. Sergei et St. Herman dans Russie. Pendant la deuxième guerre mondial qu’il a été évacué à Finlande au mois de février 1940.

Pour le visiteur il y un petit hôtel, cafétéria, chapelle, et des expositions temporaires, un vignoble, une bibliothèque, des cours différents, comme orthodoxe Icon peinture, un centre de conservation, les archives et le collage d’éducation des adultes
La bibliothèque possède la plus grande collection de littérature Orthodoxe dans Europe ou l’ouest, comprenant quelques 30.000 livres, les journaux et les manuscripts, le plus vieux qui datent des 17e et 18e siècles.

Monastery of New Valamo / Monasterio de Valamo Nueva / Monastère de Nouveau Valamo

Comments (51)

51 Comments »

I actually whispered “wow” out loud when I saw some of these photos…
the detail of the wood carvings, the beauty of the paintings …and the icons… wow. Even the ball finial holding the cross to the roof in photo number 55 is a piece of artwork in itself (I am trying to decide if the round ball bit looks more like a pine-cone than a pineapple, but either way it’s intricate, tactile, detailed and stunning).
I DID do a double take too, that the horse, dog and chickens are carved and not real ones LOL
Excellent post 🙂

Comment by kiwidutch — May 13, 2011 @ 08:23 | Reply
- Good morning Kiwidutch.
  
  I am so glad that You liked my photos from this place where I visit every now and then when on my way the one of our National park. This is really the place where one can feel how peace is creeping into one’s heart.
  
  Have a wonderful day!
  
  Comment by sartenada — May 13, 2011 @ 08:29 | Reply
Fine series indeed! My father was during WWII in the original Valamo and I have now plenty of things given by monks, who had became friends of my father. I have for instance a candle stick from 1747, it is nice to imagine monks going with that candle stick during centuries 🙂 I hope, it could tell all those stories, what it has seen.
Good weekend to you and your wife!

Comment by Leena — May 13, 2011 @ 08:47 | Reply
- Hello Leena.
  
  So nice and interesting comment. You must have been visiting in this monastery many times, I guess, because You are living much more nearer than me. Your candle stick story is very interesting. We have had many times intention to visit the old Valamo and the island of Kiži, but because my wife is still working until the next November, it has not been possible. Maybe next summer, who knows?
  
  Happy week-end to You and Yours.
  
  Comment by sartenada — May 13, 2011 @ 13:43 | Reply
Thanks for taking us along with you to this beautiful monastery. Your pictures are absolutely gorgeous, but then so is the church and its amazing icons.

Comment by seniorhiker — May 13, 2011 @ 15:59 | Reply
- Hello George.
  
  Thank You so much. I am so glad that You liked my post.
  
  Comment by sartenada — May 14, 2011 @ 09:20 | Reply
Thank you for posting these photos, for clearly there are not words adequate for describing this place. How incredibly beautiful it all is! I can see why you visit there again and again. I had no idea that such a place existed.

Comment by montucky — May 13, 2011 @ 16:09 | Reply
- Hi Montucky.
  
  This is really interesting place to visit. To the nearest town there is about 70 kilometers / 43 miles, but quite near to the road between two towns Varkaus and Joensuu. So not so difficult to make a visit. I am glad that You learned something new from my quite unknown country. Thank You commenting.
  
  Comment by sartenada — May 14, 2011 @ 09:25 | Reply
Yes, I have been there many times. I even spent my 60th birthday there. I have been thinking, if I will give this candle stick for the monastery. I have also two wooden boxes made and decorated by monks. It was settled that my father will go after the war back and start to work there as a farm superintendent, but it went a little bit in different way, but I was watching many times in my childhood a picture of the house, which was promised to us to live. Your post woke up this kind of memories!

Comment by Leena — May 13, 2011 @ 18:57 | Reply
- Hi Leena.
  
  Oh I see. To spend 60th birthday in monastery is awesome! I am sure that to give candle stick for the monastery is lovely idea. I take my hat off when You say so. Thank You giving more info.
  
  Comment by sartenada — May 14, 2011 @ 09:29 | Reply
Que de richesses et de beauté réunies en ce monastére ! Je n´ai jamais vu autant d´icônes á la fois. Une merveille architecturale aussi. Merci pour ces belles images et la paix qui s´en dégage. Très beaux paysages.

Comment by isathreadsoflife — May 13, 2011 @ 20:52 | Reply
- Bonjour Isa.
  
  Merci d’avoir faite une visit ici. Peut-être que c’est une perle cachée dans la campagne au milieu de la Finlande.
  
  Comment by sartenada — May 14, 2011 @ 09:33 | Reply
I am always amazed by your photos and the places that you share.

Comment by elleswim — May 14, 2011 @ 00:32 | Reply
- Hello Elleswim.
  
  Thank You. It is so nice to hear that what You said.
  
  Comment by sartenada — May 14, 2011 @ 10:23 | Reply
Wow! Il y a des biens précieux dans cet endroit! Merveilleux partage, merci!

Comment by annejutras — May 14, 2011 @ 03:37 | Reply
- Bonjour Anne.
  
  Merci beaucoup Anne. J’suis heureux que ma poste te plaisais.
  
  Belle journée.
  
  Comment by sartenada — May 14, 2011 @ 10:25 | Reply
Such a lovely, peaceful place, and such gorgeous decorations…Matti, what is the silver item in photo 41? Is it a box? Thanks again for brightening up my weekend, best wishes to you and your wife from Tracey, (tell her I also loved the bracelet she made on your other post, it was very pretty)!

Comment by convictstock — May 14, 2011 @ 07:28 | Reply
- Hello Convictstock.
  
  Thank Your commenting. Well, photo 41 is Riisa, so I think. The word Riisa comes from Russian and means to cover. It is an Icon which has a silver “wrapper”. Say hello from me and my wife to Tracey.
  
  Happy week-end!
  
  Comment by sartenada — May 14, 2011 @ 10:38 | Reply
Thank you for this lovely post, as convictstock said, ‘What a peaceful place.’ For me, the beauty is the actual building and the setting with the trees and lake.I love the wooden carvings on the buildings. How many monks live there? Are the casks for their own wine? I had to look at the horse and dog after reading the comment above. I had thought they were real. Thank you for another interesting visit.

Comment by Jackie Queen — May 14, 2011 @ 14:34 | Reply
- Hi Jackie.
  
  Thank You. I am glad that my post had some interest to You. I checked the actual amount of fraternity and it is about 10. At this moment it is 11. It varies a little bit and the amount is small if we think that when it was evacuated 1940 from Karelia to Heinävesi then the amount was 190. The average age is about 45. It seems that young men are not any more “interested” to become a monk.
  
  What comes to the amount of casks, that info I could not find, I am so sorry. The scope of wines seems to be surprising wide. Wine bottles have nice design and dessert wine has a very beautiful label on bottle’s side.
  
  Have a happy Sunday!
  
  Comment by sartenada — May 15, 2011 @ 10:27 | Reply
I love the third photo of the doors where the gold paint is glistening but lightly giving it a magical quality. These forms of religious art are so beautiful. Thanks for sharing them.

Comment by Tammy McLeod — May 14, 2011 @ 22:42 | Reply
- Hello Tammy.
  
  Thank You commenting. Well, that is the door to the main church. The Orthodox art is beautiful, but it has very strict regulation concerning what to present and how. Wikipedia gives more “astonishing” info.
  
  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Icon
  
  Happy Sunday!
  
  Comment by sartenada — May 15, 2011 @ 10:36 | Reply
A very interesting series again… you have captured all the beauty of this place ! Well done. Have a great sunday 🙂

Comment by Tamara — May 15, 2011 @ 13:35 | Reply
- Hello Tamara.
  
  I am so glad that You liked my post. Thank You for Your kind words.
  
  Happy Sunday!
  
  Comment by sartenada — May 15, 2011 @ 15:53 | Reply
The church is so lovely inside!
It’s hard to believe that 4 1/2 hours from Helsinki, you can find such a beautiful church.
Is Orthodox common in Finland?
I have only been to two Orthodox churches in London.
But I saw a lot of them in Greece. 🙂

Protestant (Church of England) is more common here.
I think Finland is also Protestant, right?
I can tell that from the simple design of your churches.

Comment by London Caller — May 15, 2011 @ 23:38 | Reply
- Hello London Caller.
  
  The amount of Orthodox people is 1.1 % in Finland. The majority is Protestant, but belonging to the “division” of Lutheranism. 78,2 % of our population belongs to it.
  
  I was interested in Orthodox churches in Greece many years ago. There I got first contact with the world of Orthodox Icons. It was last when I had possibility to take photos from Orthodox churches and so including that monastery. There was last summer one Orthodox Church of Ilomantsi in which photographing was not allowed. In all others I was welcome with my camera.
  
  Thank You commenting and having interest in post.
  
  Comment by sartenada — May 16, 2011 @ 08:48 | Reply
Bonjour Matti,
Beaucoup de richesses dans ce monastère, mais j’avoue avoir un faible pour la petite chapelle en bois, simple et chaleureuse.
Bises et bonne journée.

Comment by Marion B. — May 16, 2011 @ 08:32 | Reply
- Bonjour Marion.
  
  Merci beaucoup d’avoir faite ton commentaire. J’aime ces petites chapelles Orthox appelée Tsasouna. Elles sont quelque chose de différentes dans notre monde aujourd’hui.
  
  Belle journée á toi aussi.
  
  Comment by sartenada — May 16, 2011 @ 09:01 | Reply
WOW…what gorgeous shots!

Comment by Neal — May 16, 2011 @ 23:03 | Reply
- Hi Neal.
  
  Thank You. I am glad my post delighted You.
  
  Comment by sartenada — May 17, 2011 @ 07:44 | Reply
My goodness! The inside of that chapel is ornate. The clarity of your photos enhances my sensation of being there. Very nice.

Comment by lesliepaints — May 17, 2011 @ 05:20 | Reply
- Hello Leslie.
  
  Thank You very much. If You felt so, and then I can say that I managed my pictures.
  
  Comment by sartenada — May 17, 2011 @ 07:49 | Reply
Such a beautiful monastery situated in lovely surroundings. Thank you for the tour around this place showing us all these nice photos!

Comment by truels — May 17, 2011 @ 19:33 | Reply
- Hi Truels.
  
  Thank You for Your kind words.
  
  Have a happy Wednesday!
  
  Comment by sartenada — May 18, 2011 @ 08:48 | Reply
The main church is breathtakingly beautifully with so many amazing details. The Orthodox Christians sure go all out when it comes to decorating their churches. If I had to chose between the two, I would go to the little wooden chapel. It is lovely in its simplicity.

Comment by kateri — May 25, 2011 @ 13:37 | Reply
- Hello Kateri.
  
  How glad I am, that You liked this post. Those little chapels are generally situated on countryside far away from big cities or smaller towns in periphery where there are not churches available. In that way also old people have possibility to make a divine service. The word Tsasouna is coming from Russian and means chapel. Worships in Tsasouna last one hour.
  
  Thank You.
  
  Comment by sartenada — May 25, 2011 @ 13:51 | Reply
hey! Patriarchal Crosses everywhere! 🙂 I really really love the artwork on the doors. Too bad my Greek isn’t all that good. I can only make out a couple of letters.

Comment by bursky — May 26, 2011 @ 03:09 | Reply
- Hello Bursky.
  
  So nice to read Your comment. I am glad that You visited my site and left Your comment here.
  
  Happy Thursday!
  
  Comment by sartenada — May 26, 2011 @ 06:54 | Reply
Oh, my gosh!!!

Are those Sts. Cyril & Methodius on the window in the first two photos?

How I’d love to visit the church to take a photo of them! They were fascinating innovators in their day!

Your photos remind me of the icon our youngest son brought us from St. Petersburg, Russia when he attended a summer course there. They also remind me of an Orthodox church we accidentally stumbled into while in Prague.

Your photos are so real that I can smell the scent of times long past in the church.

What a gift!!! Thank you for sharing these treasures!!!

Comment by Deli Lanoux, Ed.D. — May 26, 2011 @ 21:59 | Reply
- Hello Deli Lanoux, Ed.D.
  
  So nice comment. Thank You. This place is not so far away from the Russian border. In the eastern part of Finland the Russian influence is seen more than in Western part. On Western part there is Swedish influence. During years 1809 – 1917 our country was “Grand Duchy of Finland” and we were under the rule of Russia. Before that we were under the rule of Sweden during years 1523-1809. All these years has great impact to our culture.
  
  I am so glad that You loved my photos.
  
  Happy Friday!
  
  Comment by sartenada — May 27, 2011 @ 08:31 | Reply
Thanks for sharing the excellent and amazing beautiful details inside the monastery and its surroundings too..wonderfully captured! I love the details and decorations…Awesome series!!

Comment by Anne — May 31, 2011 @ 12:52 | Reply
- Hi Anne.
  
  I am so glad that You visited with me thru my photos this monastery. It beautiful in live too, not in my photos. 🙂
  
  Comment by sartenada — May 31, 2011 @ 14:00 | Reply
Fantastic photos! I would love to visit this Monastery. In Russia we are not allowed to photograph inside churches or monasteries unless they give you permission which is seldom. Great post.

Comment by nelieta — May 30, 2012 @ 11:37 | Reply
- Hello Nelita.
  
  Thank You leaving Your comment and visiting my blog. In Finland we can photograph inside monastery and convent, inside Lutheran churches and in many cases inside Orthodox churches. There has been one case when I was not allowed to shoot photos from Orthodox church. It is a pity that photographing is not allowed inside. At this moment I have photographed about 380 churches in Finland and they are situated mainly on countryside, far away from big cities.
  
  If You are interested to see our Orthodox churches, then take a look at my
  
  Orthodox churches in Finland
  
  At this moment there are two of them presented.
  
  Have lovely day!
  
  Comment by Sartenada — May 30, 2012 @ 11:52 | Reply
What a beautiful place and well captured by your lens. I love the amazing details and colors. The chapel looks so peaceful.

Comment by Tokeloshe — June 1, 2015 @ 22:47 | Reply
- Hi Linda.
  
  Thank you for this praising comment. It is one of my favorite place for a visit if my travels go nearby it.
  
  Have a great day!
  
  Comment by Sartenada — June 2, 2015 @ 07:32 | Reply
I noticed the different styles that influenced the construction of these monasteries and chapels and found your writing and your comments very interesting, for the historical details….
Love the Russian Orthodox icons!

Comment by 76sanfermo — June 2, 2015 @ 14:41 | Reply
- Hello Anna.
  
  Wonderful comment. Thank You. If You someday come to visit Helsinki, then there is fantastic Orthodox church which is “must visit”. My post is old and photographed using my first digital camera:
  
  Uspensky Cathedral.
  
  Have a wonderful day!
  
  Comment by Sartenada — June 3, 2015 @ 07:54 | Reply
I would never expect to see such an old and remarkable monastery in the heart of a forest in Finland.All your photos are totally compelling,they are so similar to the ones we have in churches and monasteries.

Comment by DG MARYOGA — April 20, 2018 @ 09:42 | Reply
- Hello Doda.
  
  Thank You commenting and loving my photos. This is must visit place when in Finland. I have spent a night inside it. Fantastic experience.
  
  Happy upcoming weekend.
  
  Comment by Sartenada — April 20, 2018 @ 11:07 | Reply
  - Have you?We do the same in some churches and monasteries in Greece.It’s so calming and rewarding.Happy weekend.
    
    Comment by DG MARYOGA — April 20, 2018 @ 13:56 | Reply