Ancient Labyrinths, Solovetsky Islands 
The Solovetsky Islands of northern Russia (commonly known as Solovki) are probably best known for the Solovetsky Monastery, a great medieval monastery that became a notorious Soviet prison camp.
But these remote islands were sacred for thousands of years before the monastery's foundation in 1429, as evidenced by an array of stone alignments, circles, and mysterious labyrinths that can still be seen there today.
History
Human occupation began on the Solovetsky islands as early as the Mesolithic period (5th millennium BC), when the climatic conditions of the area were more favorable than they are today. The prehistoric settlement especially flourished in the 3rd millennium BC, when villages, sacred sites, and irrigation systems were built on Big Zayatskii and Anzer Islands.
At the end of the warmer drier climatic episode around 1000 BC, a modified version of the traditional way of life survived among the Sami and Karelia peoples throughout the Middle Ages.
What to See
The Big Zayatskii Island contains a compact group of religious and funerary monuments, including 18 stone labyrinths, over 600 stone burial cairns, and several stone alignments and circles. One of the labyrinths, over 22 m in diameter, is the largest known in the world.
Anzer Island has four labyrinths and 38 cairns, disposed in three irregular rows along the sea shore.
Map
Location map and satellite view of the Solovetsky Islands. Using the buttons on the left, zoom in for a closer look or zoom out to get your bearings. Click and drag the map to move around. You can explore all of Russia from space on our Russia Map.
Quick Facts
| Names: | Labyrinths, mazes, cairns, alignments, stone circles; Solovetsky Islands, Solovki |
| Type of site: | Ancient sacred site; labyrinth |
| Dates: | 3rd millennium BC |
| Size: | Largest labyrinth: 22m in diameter |
| Record: | Largest known labyrinth in the world |
| Location: | Western White Sea, 290km from Arkhangelsk, northern Russia |
Sources
- Cultural and Historic Ensemble of the Solovetsky Islands - UNESCO World Heritage List
- Mazes - Solovki-UNESCO On-line
- Lonely Planet Russia & Belarus
