The marble extracted here was used to face Saint Isaac's Cathedral and the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg.
The park's underground water level is strictly regulated by natural drainage and seasonal runoff, occasionally requiring ice-clearing efforts.
The water inside the central canyon reaches depths of up to 50 meters in certain sections.
The quarry was abandoned and flooded by Finnish mining engineers in 1939 before the Winter War.
The unique emerald color of the water is caused by minerals leaching from the marble bedrock.
Some tunnels were originally carved by hand during the 18th century before the introduction of pneumatic drilling tools.
Ruskeala Mountain Park is a former marble quarry transformed into a tourist complex centered around a flooded marble canyon. The park features an extensive network of underground adits and galleries accessible via guided tours that reveal flooded subterranean chambers. The main quarry lake serves as a focal point, with high sheer walls of grey and white marble rising above emerald-colored water. Industrial history is represented by remnants of the former lime kiln site and historical mining equipment displays. Visitors can navigate the water surfaces via rental boats or zipline across the canyon. The park includes a dedicated Italian quarry section showcasing distinct geological layers. Walking trails circle the canyon perimeter, providing varied vantage points of the flooded pits. It functions as a year-round destination with seasonal ice sculptures installed in the underground sections during winter months.
The viewing platform overlooking the main canyon near the entrance path.
Book underground tour tickets well in advance as group sizes are strictly limited for safety.
Wear layers even in summer, as the temperature inside the underground marble galleries remains consistently near freezing.
Bring polarized sunglasses to better see through the water's surface reflection when looking into the quarry pits.
Attempting to swim in the quarry lakes is strictly prohibited and dangerous due to underwater mining hazards.
Underground tours may be suspended during spring snowmelt or autumn flooding periods; check status upon arrival.
Closed-toe shoes are mandatory for underground tours; walking on marked paths only is strictly enforced.
