Podporozhie Museum of Local History and Tradition was founded in 1967. The town of Podporozhie is situated on the banks of the Svir' River connecting the two largest lakes of the northwest of Russia - Ladoga and Onega.
The museum archeological and ethnographic collection depicts life and culture of the local nationalities. For centuries Slavic settlers have peacefully lived here with the indigenous inhabitants of the region, Finno-Ugric tribes, adopting each other's traditions and skills.
Late Stone Age monuments and excavations of medieval mounds of the 10th -13th centuries are the most impressive milestones of the region history featured in the museum exhibit.
A special display pays a tribute to the traditional culture of the Vepsa (Vepsian) people belonging to the Finno-Ugric ethnic group and shows many beautiful examples of their craft and folk art, including unique wickerwork.
Besides the exhibit tour and tour of the town, the museum offers two sightseeing routes in the area to show unique wooden structures of the 15th -18th centuries, with the ten monuments having the status of national ones among them. One of the most expressive is the Church of Sv.Georgy (St.George) of the 15th century in Yuksovichi, elaborate in its simplicity. Visitors will also enjoy the beauty of woodlands and water openings seen on the routes.