Valaam is an archipelago in on the northern banks of Lake Ladoga (which is the largest in Europe) and Mandrogi is one of the largest villages on it.

Valaam islands were part of the Novgorod Republic in the 12th century. In early 17th century they were captured by Sweden while Russian cities were preoccupied with the Polish-Lithuanian invaders during the times of trouble. Peter the Great recovered these islands once century later. In early 19th century, Alexander I granted Finland a status of autonomy and the Valaam islands. The USSR granted Finland independence in 1917 together with these islands, but took the islands back during the World War II.