Valaam is an archipelago on the northern banks of Lake Ladoga, and Mandrogi is the largest village on it. A perfectly medieval town, visiting here will sweep you into a fairy tale.

The 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. Peter the Great recovered the islands one century later, and in the early 19th century, Alexander I granted Finland and the Valaam Islands autonomy. The USSR further granted Finland independence in 1917 along with these islands, but took the islands back during World War II.

A serene village, Mandrogi’s atmosphere doesn’t at all hint of its struggle for freedom. Its cobbled streets and gingerbread-like architecture will have you dreaming of bedtime stories.