There is an extensive system of water supply channels under the Solovetsky Monastery. In fact, all the channels of the Holy Lake system (and there are ninety of them!) Were intended only for supplying water to the monastery system. Naturally, tourists are not taken there. Therefore, we look. We enter the system through the avant-camera building.
The quality of the photo is poor, I am not used to photographing in semi-darkness yet, but even in this photo it is clear that the avant-camera itself (the place where water is taken from the Holy Lake) is in poor condition. The edges of the chamber are blurred, the rock is washed, water flows not only through the intake, but also from all sides. From this first moment, you begin to understand how "dangerous" here.
The brick supports supporting the hut above the cell are also in poor condition.
After the camera, the channel is split. The right side is covered.
Promotional video:
The water goes to the left.
We went on the right.
Further, the channel is bifurcated. On the left, a pipe has been laid, where (in the future) the Veshnyak canal, passing under the hydroelectric power station, will be driven.
The arches of the canals are covered with granite blocks, but traces of the last "greasing" with mortar are visible.
Veshnyak himself is walking here now.
But in order to look at it, you have to go through a very low passage. On hands.
Today it is already clear that the Veshnyak canal was undoubtedly formed on the site of an ancient stream, about 7 meters wide, which flowed from the lake into the sea. That is, the monks had a natural source of gratuitous power, which they used (probably even in pre-Kolychev times). Gradually, the stream bed was narrowed and a canal was built over it, again, gradually narrowing the cross-section of the canals to increase the water pressure. Consequently, the water pressure dropped constantly, because the source is not infinite. The time will come when the Solovetsky lakes will stop supplying water to the monastery. This is what Veshnyak looks like from above.
We're going there.
Looking back.
The canal walls are blurred everywhere.
We go deeper.
In some places, traces of the last renovation are visible.
But, in general - devastation.
We go through the canal into the central catchment.
The sun hits your eyes.
This channel leads directly to the dock - the sluice door of the gate has been preserved. But we don't need to go there.)
In the photo this channel and the exit to the dock.
This is the Bypass Channel. But we decided to enter it from the sea.
We will go along the Mill Canal.
They went in and went.
Looking back.
Over the canal there is some kind of rainstorm from the times of the military unit.
Brick vaults hold up very well. This, as I understand it, we are walking under the wall.
This is the back view.
But the boulders are not so-so. You shouldn't stand under them.
This is already the wall of the mill.
We get out through the mill …
And we climb back into another entrance.
We just pass over this drain.)
The rest of the water is placed in the trough.
Remains of the inscription are clearly visible on one floor. But I could not read it.
The channel goes further.
Boulder masonry is sometimes just in a deplorable state.
The rock is visible through the fallen boulders.
It looks gloomy, better not to linger.
The mill is blocked by a deaf sluice. There is water behind it, but will the water stop us?
This is not the bottom of the channel, it is a reflection of the arch.
You can still walk about three meters along the bottom, and then it gets deep, and you have to walk along the walls of the canal, "on a split", like Jackie Chan, straight.
Standing in a stretch I manage to photograph the stalagnates. They are small but beautiful.
This is the exit from the Mill.
And we started our way from the red hut covering the avant-camera. On the right is the Arkhangelskaya Tower.
For comparison, we pass through the Arkhangelsk Gate and go to the top of the mill.
Here (underground) is the brickwork under the wall.
And this is a view of the mill inside. We passed through the room behind the entrance.
We went out into the street and went to the entrance to the Obvodny Canal, from the side of the sea.
These are the remains of some kind of repair facilities (already of our time).
It can be seen that this is a “new” part of the channel, because it makes a sharp turn.
The transitional part between "new" and "old" is visible very well.
But then, sorry, just bending down deeply, in training mode, in a half-squat. The channel is covered with excellent granite slabs.
And generally small. And it takes us back to the central drainage basin.
Traveling along the canals (with minimal athletic training, strong legs and in some places - stretching) took us 1 hour and 40 minutes. Do not meddle yourself.