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The nature reserve "Kiwatsch" is one of the oldest in the territory of Russia. It was established in 1931. The reserve is located in the northwest of the European part of the country, eighty kilometres from Petrozavodsk. White nights, rugged rocks, evergreen giant forests, blue lakes, and the roaring rivers that roll their waters over numerous rapids are characteristic features of the nature of this northern region. All this can be found on the small, limited "islet" in the middle of the republic – the nature reserve "Kiwatsch" – which is rightly referred to as miniature Karelia.

The initiative to establish the "Kiwatsch" nature reserve came from Karelian scientists. History itself determined the choice of this location: the name of the site is associated with a waterfall that has attracted attention for several centuries. Surrounding it are pine forests that needed protection from deforestation.

The official founding date of the "Kiwatsch" nature reserve is dated to June 11, 1931. Initially, about two thousand hectares were designated for the reserve.

At the end of October 1941, the defense line of Kondopoga ran around the waterfall. For several days, the 71st Rifle Division repelled attacks from infantry units of the Finns and Germans, who tried to cross the Suna River and reach Kondopoga. In 2000, a monument was opened here in honour of the fallen Soviet soldiers.

In 1947, the area was expanded to 9.5 thousand hectares, and the nature reserve received state status. In 1948, a dendropark was established, aimed at acclimatising new species of shrubs and trees in Karelia.

In the following years, the "Kiwatsch" nature reserve further expanded its area, and today it covers about 11 thousand hectares. Its length from north to south is 12 kilometres and from west to east 14 kilometres. A buffer zone was created around Kiwatsch, reaching a width of two kilometres and an area of 6.5 thousand hectares. This area is also protected, with a ban on hunting and fishing. However, nature lovers who enjoy walking in the forest and breathing the fresh air can collect a few baskets of mushrooms and berries: gathering for personal use is allowed.

Undoubtedly, the most visited natural monument of the nature reserve is the Kiwatsch waterfall. The first mentions of it can be found in the cadastral books of the 16th century. Later, the waterfall gained fame mainly through G. R. Derzhavin, who sang of it in his ode. At that time, Kiwatsch was so powerful that the sound of the falling water could even be heard in the small village of Kondopoga, which was thirty kilometres away.

After a steamship service was established between St. Petersburg and Petrozavodsk in the mid-19th century, the popularity of the waterfall began to rise rapidly. Perhaps the most famous visitor was the Russian Emperor Alexander II, who was here in 1868.

The total height of Kiwatsch is 11 metres. The Suna cascades, pushing through the rocks, over three steps along a distance of 170 metres. Then it plunges its water flow from an eight-metre high fourth step. The water, crashing onto the black stones with a roar, turns into foam and myriads of splashes.

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Coordinates of the location (map point) available here

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